English does not have one single future tense. Instead, you choose a form that shows how you see the future event: a decision you are making right now, a plan you already have, an arrangement with other people, or a fixed timetable.
In many sentences more than one form is possible, and the difference is small. But some choices sound wrong to native speakers, so learn the main patterns first: will for decisions at the moment of speaking, going to for plans, and the present continuous for things that are already in your calendar.
How to form will, going to and the present forms
Will and be going to are followed by the base verb. Will is the same for every person; going to needs am, is or are. The present continuous and present simple talk about the future only when a time expression or the situation makes this clear.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Will | subject + will ('ll) + base verb | I'll call you tonight. It will be sunny tomorrow. |
| Will: negative and question | subject + won't + base verb / Will + subject + base verb? | She won't be late. Will you help me? Yes, I will. |
| Be going to | subject + am/is/are going to + base verb | I'm going to paint my room. They're going to sell their car. |
| Be going to: negative and question | subject + am not/isn't/aren't going to + base verb / Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb? | We aren't going to stay long. Is it going to rain? |
| Present continuous | subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + a future time | I'm seeing the dentist on Friday. Are you working tomorrow? |
| Present simple | subject + verb (+ -s) for timetables and schedules | The train leaves at 8:15. When does the course start? |
- Contractions: I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, it'll, we'll, they'll; won't = will not. In speech, the short forms are much more common.
- Will has one form for every person and takes the base verb with no to: She will come (not She wills come or She will to come).
- In fast, informal speech, going to often sounds like "gonna". In writing, use going to.
- Shall I...? and Shall we...? make offers and suggestions in British English (Shall I carry that? Shall we start?). In American English, shall is rare; people usually say Should I...?, Do you want me to...? or Let's...
When to use will, going to and the present continuous
1. Plans and intentions (be going to)
Use be going to for something you have already decided to do. The decision was made before the moment of speaking.
- I'm going to start a new course in September.
- We're going to save money for a new car.
- What are you going to cook tonight?
2. Decisions made at the moment of speaking (will)
Use will when you decide something right now, often as a reaction to new information. There was no plan before.
- "There's no milk." "Really? I'll get some from the supermarket."
- I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed early.
- The fish looks good. I'll have that, please.
3. Offers, promises and requests (will)
Will is also the natural choice when you offer to do something, make a promise or ask someone to do something.
- Don't worry about dinner. I'll cook tonight.
- I won't tell anyone. I promise.
- Will you help me with this, please?
4. Predictions: evidence now (going to) or opinion (will)
Use going to when something you can see or know now shows what is going to happen. Use will when the prediction is your opinion or belief, often after I think, I'm sure, probably or maybe.
- The sky is very dark. It's going to rain.
- Watch out! You're going to drop those plates.
- I think you'll love this book.
5. Fixed arrangements (present continuous)
Use the present continuous for plans that are already arranged, usually with other people: you know the time and often the place. Add a future time expression so the meaning is clear.
- I'm having dinner with my parents on Sunday.
- We're flying to Rome on Friday morning.
- What are you doing this weekend?
6. Timetables and schedules (present simple)
Use the present simple for events on a fixed timetable or official schedule, such as trains, flights, classes and shows.
- The train leaves at 7:45 tomorrow morning.
- The concert starts at eight, so don't be late.
- When does your English course start?
Time expressions that often go with future forms
- tomorrow
- tonight
- later
- soon
- this weekend
- next week
- next month
- next year
- on Friday
- the day after tomorrow
- in ten minutes
- in two years
- in 2030
- one day
Do not put a preposition before next or tomorrow: See you next Monday (not on next Monday). In + a length of time means "from now": I'll be ready in ten minutes (not after ten minutes).
Examples
Positive
- I'll send you the photos tonight.
- We're going to buy a new car next year.
- She's starting her new job on Monday.
- The bus leaves at 6:30 tomorrow morning.
Negative
- Don't worry. I won't forget your birthday.
- They aren't going to sell the house after all.
- I'm not working this Saturday, so let's meet.
- The flight doesn't leave until midnight.
Questions
- Will you be home for dinner?
- Are you going to apply for the job?
- What are you doing on Saturday night?
- What time does your flight land?
Will or going to?
Both forms talk about the future, and sometimes both are fine. To choose, ask two questions: When was the decision made? What is the prediction based on?
| Will | Be going to |
|---|---|
| "We need bread." "I'll get some." (I decide now) | I'm going to get some bread after work. (I decided earlier) |
| I think our team will win the cup this year. (my opinion) | We're three goals ahead with five minutes left. We're going to win! (the evidence is here now) |
| Maybe I'll learn Japanese one day. (just an idea) | I'm going to learn Japanese next year. I've already bought the books. (a plan) |
| Your bags look heavy. I'll help you. (an offer) | I'm going to help my dad in the garden this afternoon. (a plan) |
Common mistakes
- WrongWe will to finish the project on Friday.RightWe will finish the project on Friday.
Will is followed by the base verb, with no to.
- WrongI meet Sara for lunch tomorrow.RightI'm meeting Sara for lunch tomorrow.
For a fixed arrangement with another person, use the present continuous, not the present simple.
- WrongShe going to start university next year.RightShe's going to start university next year.
Going to always needs am, is or are before it.
- WrongWhen I will arrive, I'll text you.RightWhen I arrive, I'll text you.
After when, before, after and as soon as, use the present simple for the future, not will.
- WrongDon't worry, I help you with your bags.RightDon't worry, I'll help you with your bags.
For an offer or promise made at the moment of speaking, use will, not the present simple.
- WrongI'll be back after ten minutes.RightI'll be back in ten minutes.
Use in + a length of time to say how soon something will happen from now.
Leaving tomorrow
Examples of will, going to and the present continuous are highlighted.
Sofia's flight leaves at 6:40 tomorrow morning. She's moving to Toronto for a new job, and she's starting on Monday. Her suitcase is open on the bed, and it's already full. "You're going to need a second bag," her brother says. "I'll lend you mine." Sofia smiles. "Thanks! I'm going to buy a warm coat when I get there. I think it will be really cold in January." Her parents are driving her to the airport at four. "Will you call us when you land?" her mother asks. "Of course. I promise I'll call every Sunday. And I'm going to come home for the summer." Her mother hugs her. "We're going to miss you so much."
Future Forms quiz
8 questions. Choose an answer to see if it is right and why.
Read texts that use will, going to and the present continuous
Grammar sticks when you meet it again in real reading. These graded texts use this structure; each one has key words, audio and questions.
Future Forms: questions and answers
What is the difference between will and going to?
Use going to for plans you made before speaking and for predictions based on something you can see now. Use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking, for offers and promises, and for predictions based on your opinion.
Can I use the present continuous for the future?
Yes. Use it for arrangements that are already fixed, usually with a time or place (I'm meeting Lena on Friday). Without a future time or a clear situation, the present continuous usually means now.
When do we use the present simple for the future?
Use it for timetables and schedules, such as trains, flights, classes and events (The train leaves at 8:10). For personal plans, use going to or the present continuous instead.
Do people still use "shall"?
Yes, but mostly in British English, in questions with I and we that make offers or suggestions (Shall I open the window? Shall we go?). In American English, shall is rare, and people usually say Should I...? or Do you want me to...?
Why can't I say "when I will arrive"?
After time words such as when, before, after, until and as soon as, English uses the present simple for the future (I'll call you when I arrive). Will goes only in the main part of the sentence.