English has no single future tense. It has will for decisions made as you speak, going to for plans and predictions you can see coming, and the present continuous for arrangements already in the diary.
1. I'll Get It
Ida: Someone's at the door.
Ruben: I'll get it.
Ida: It'll be the delivery. It's late again.
Ruben: I'll sign for it and put it in the hall.
Ida: Thanks. I'll make the coffee, then.
Ruben: I won't say no to that.
2. We're Going to Move
Bea: We're going to move in the spring.
Tomas: Are you going to sell the house?
Bea: We're going to rent it out for a year first.
Tomas: That's a big decision.
Bea: It's the third time we've talked about it. This time we're doing it.
Tomas: Then I'm going to help you pack.
3. It's Going to Rain
Nour: Look at that sky.
Piet: It's going to rain before we get there.
Nour: The bag's going to get soaked.
Piet: Then I'll carry it under my coat.
Nour: We're going to be late either way.
Piet: I'll message them now.
4. Are You Free on Friday?
Suki: Are you free on Friday?
Alec: I'm seeing the dentist at nine, then I'm free.
Suki: We're having lunch at the new place at one.
Alec: I'll be there. Who's booking?
Suki: I'm booking it tonight.
Alec: Book for five. My brother's coming too.
5. I'll Pick You Up
Gemma: How are you getting there?
Hass: I don't know yet.
Gemma: I'll pick you up at seven.
Hass: Are you sure? It's out of your way.
Gemma: It's ten minutes. I'll drop you off after, too.
Hass: Then I definitely owe you a ride one day.
6. The Train Leaves at Nine
Ravi: What time does the train leave?
Lena: It leaves at nine and arrives at noon.
Ravi: So we're leaving the house at eight.
Lena: Half past seven. The gate closes early.
Ravi: I'll set two alarms, then.
Lena: Set three. You'll need them.
7. Probably, Definitely, Maybe
Kofi: Will you come to the class in July?
Mila: I'll probably come. It depends on work.
Kofi: I'm definitely going. I've paid already.
Mila: Then I'll decide by the end of June.
Kofi: The price will go up in July.
Mila: In that case I'll pay this week.
8. See You Then
Ola: So we're meeting at the station?
Sami: At the north entrance, by the clock.
Ola: I'll wait inside if it's raining.
Sami: I'll call you when I'm off the train.
Ola: I'm looking forward to it.
Sami: Me too. See you then.
Words to know
| rent out | to let somebody live in your place and pay you for it We're going to rent it out for a year first. |
| soaked | completely wet The bag's going to get soaked. |
| book | to arrange and pay for a place, a table or a seat in advance I'm booking it tonight. |
| pick up | to collect somebody in a car I'll pick you up at seven. |
| drop off | to take somebody somewhere and leave them there It's ten minutes. I'll drop you off after, too. |
| out of your way | not on the road you were going to take anyway Are you sure? It's out of your way. |
| definitely | with no doubt at all I'm definitely going. I've paid already. |
| look forward to | to feel pleased about something that is coming I'm looking forward to it. |
Quick practice
Choose will, going to or the present continuous, exactly as it was used in the conversations above.
1. Someone's at the door. — I ____ get it.
_______________________________________
2. We ____ move in the spring. (a plan we made weeks ago)
_______________________________________
3. Look at that sky. It ____ rain.
_______________________________________
4. I ____ the dentist at nine. (an appointment already made)
_______________________________________
5. I ____ pick you up at seven. (I decide it now)
_______________________________________
6. What time ____ the train ____? (a timetable)
_______________________________________
Show the answers
1. I'll get it. 2. We're going to move in the spring. 3. It's going to rain. 4. I'm seeing the dentist at nine. 5. I'll pick you up at seven. 6. What time does the train leave?
Common mistakes
Not: I will to call you tonight.
Say: I'll call you tonight.
Will is followed by the plain verb with no to in between.
Not: I go to buy a ticket tomorrow.
Say: I'm going to buy a ticket tomorrow.
For a plan you have already decided, use going to, not the plain present.
Not: It's going to rain, I take an umbrella.
Say: It's going to rain, so I'll take an umbrella.
When you decide something at the moment of speaking, use I'll.
Your turn
Say each one out loud and notice which future you reach for. The choice tells your listener how fixed the plan is.
- Say three plans you have already made for this month, using going to.
- Say what is in your diary for next week, using the present continuous: I'm meeting, I'm seeing, I'm starting.
- Look out of the window and make three predictions with going to.
- Offer to help someone with three things, using I'll.
- Describe the journey you will make next time you travel: what time the train or bus leaves, who is picking you up, what you will do first.
Quick review
Will is for decisions taken while you speak, for offers and for predictions you simply believe. Going to is for plans made before now and for predictions you can see evidence of. The present continuous is for arrangements with a time and a place already fixed. Timetables use the present simple: the train leaves at nine.