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Future overview English uses different constructions to talk about the See also:

future. These are mostly formed with the auxiliary
The future with “going to” 17
verb “will” or a form of “be” with “going to.” The future with “will” 18

THE FUTURE
The present simple can be used to talk about The simple future is the most common form The future perfect is used to predict when The future in the past describes thoughts about the
events that are timetabled or scheduled to used to refer to an event in the future. an action or event will be finished. This tense future that someone had at some point in the past.
take place in the future. looks back from an imagined time in the future. There are three ways to form this construction.

“Am going to” becomes
“was going to.”
“Will” becomes
“would.”

The present continuous can The future continuous describes an event that will be The future perfect continuous is used to predict
be used to talk about future in progress at a given time in the future. The event will the eventual duration of an activity. This tense
arrangements and plans. start before the stated time and may continue after it. looks back from the endpoint of the action.

“Am starting” becomes
“was starting.”

“GOING TO” AND “WILL”

English uses both “going to” and “will” to talk about the future. They can sometimes have a
very similar meaning, but there are certain situations where they mean different things. This decision was not
planned in advance.
“Will” is used to This is a prediction “Will” is used when
make predictions without firm evidence. a decision is made
that aren’t based on at the time of speaking.
present evidence.

This decision has already been planned.
“Going to” is used when “Going to” is used
there is evidence in the when talking about
present moment to a decision that has
support a prediction. already been made.

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