The Future in English
PREDICTIONS
Certainty
(certainly / definitely) will - will not (won't)
"There will certainly be 8.5 billion people in the world in 2030"
"There definitely won't be enough resources for everyone"
Possibility
be going to
"There are going to be 8.5 billion people in the world in 2030"
Probability
may / might - may not / might not
"I may not do well in the test tomorrow"
I may have to go out with my mum and may not have time to study"
(probably) will - will not
"He'll probably arrive late"
"He probably won't catch the right train"
the chances are ... + will
be likely / be unlikely to
it is certain / sure that ... + will
"It is certain that there will be 8.5 billion people in 2030"
perhaps / it is possible that ...+ will
"It's possible that I won't do well in the test tomorrow"
"He's likely to arrive late"
"He's unlikely to catch right the train"
"The chances are he will arrive late"
"The chances are he won't catch the right train"
"It's sure that there won't be enough resources for everyone"
"There aren't going to be enough resources for everyone"
CONDITIONS
if + simple present .... , will - won't
"If he arrives late, there won't be any food left"
unless + simple present...., will - won't
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"Unless he arrives soon, there won't be any food left"
"If he doesn't arrive soon, there will be no food left"
TIME CLAUSES
when / as soon as / while / until / before / after + present (simple, continuous, perfect) .... , will - won't
"As soon as she arrives, we'll start eating"
INSTANT DECISIONS / OFFERS / PROMISES
I'll / I won't
"It's hot, I'll open the window"
"Ok, I won't do that again"
"I'll have the steak and kidney pie, please"
INTENTIONS
"It's possible I'll have to go out with my mum and won't have time to study
be going to
"I'm going to study Maths at university"
"I'm not going to study Biology"
ARRANGEMENTS
present continuous
"I'm not going to school tomorrow morning"
"I'm seeing the doctor at 9 o clock a.m."
TIMETABLES / SCHEDULES
simple present
"The plane leaves at 10 a.m. from Heathrow"
"The concert doesn't start until 8.30 p.m."
"This year's PET lessons start on February 2nd"
future continuous
"I'll be taking the four o'clock train"
future continuous
"I'll be going now"
"I'll have a snack after I've finished my homework"
"While you're frying the chips, you'll have to pay attention not to get scalded"
future continuous
"When I finish school I won't be going to university"
HAPPENING AT A PRECISE POINT IN THE FUTURE
future continuous
"This time tomorrow I'll be flying to London"
COMPLETED AT A PRECISE POINT IN THE FUTURE
"Don't phone him at eleven o'clock, he'll be sitting his exam"
future perfect simple
future perfect continuous
"We'll have finished eating at nine o'clock, so you can call me if you want"
"Next year Emily will have been working for the same company for forty years"
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"Perhaps I'll do well in my next test!"