There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. It is important to remember that we are expressing more than simply the time of the action or event. Obviously, any 'future' tense will always refer to a time 'later than now', but it may also express our attitude to the future event.
All of the following ideas can be expressed using different tenses:
- Simple prediction: There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.
- Arrangements: I'm meeting Jim at the airport.
- Plans and intentions: We're going to spend the summer abroad.
- Time-tabled events: The plane takes off at 3 a.m.
- Prediction based on present evidence: I think it's going to rain!
- Willingness: We'll give you a lift to the cinema.
- An action in progress in the future: This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.
- An action or event that is a matter of routine: You'll be seeing John in the office tomorrow, won't you?
- Obligation: You are to travel directly to London.
- An action or event that will take place immediately or very soon: The train is about to leave.
- Projecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a completed action: A month from now he will have finished all his exams.
It is clear from these examples that several tenses are used to express the future. The future tense section shows the form and function of each of these uses of future tenses.
There are four future verb tenses in English.
