THE FUTURE

What is FUTURE? Future could be tomorrow, the next week, the next month, the next year, and so on. It could also mean the next hour, or minute, or even the next second!

How do you talk about the future? Let’s look at some ways here.

You can talk about the future in the following ways:

Will

When you think about something now:

• What if they reject your proposal?
• I will show them our Plan B.

When you talk about a promise

• Nellie says she will help us with the party.

Making predictions

• I think India will win the Cricket World Cup.

Going to (pronounced as gonna – the reduced form. Use the full form in writing.)

For plans or arrangements

• I’m going to clean up my room. (It’s my intention: I don’t know when—a 50-50 plan)

When you can see something is likely to happen

• Watch out! You’re going to fall!
• There’re clouds in the sky. It’s going to rain.

Will be –ing

• The president will be speaking at the seminar. (That’s the plan. This is stronger that going to or present continuous)
• I’ll be meeting the client for lunch. (Definitely – that’s the plan)

Present continuous

For plans or arrangements

• I’m cleaning up my room this weekend. (A definite arrangement)
• She’s coming to meet me in the holidays.
• They’re throwing a part on Saturday.

Should

• The inspectors should be here at 9 in the morning. (They are likely to come)
• We should be in time for the show. (unless something unforeseen happens)

May, might, could

• They may cancel the afternoon show. (there’s a 50-50 chance)
• The boss might send me abroad for a month. (a very small chance)
• I could go with you. (I have the ability, though I may as well not go – it’s up to me)

Would like, mean, want, plan, hope, expect

• I would like to work in Paris. (it isn’t up to me)
• I mean to buy a car this weekend. (that’s my intention)
• I want to go to the movie. (but I don’t have the money – could you help me?)
• I plan to go to Goa in March. (a formal way of saying I’m going to go)
• I hope to get a job right after university. (so help me God)
• I expect boss to agree. (There’s no reason why he shouldn’t)

When, after, until, unless (these are the time words)

• We will go to the mall when I come back from work.
• I’ll call her up after I’ve had my lunch.
• He’ll have to wait until his daughter comes back from school.
• He cannot leave unless her daughter comes back from school.

If (see 1st conditional)

• The demand will rise if the quality improves.
• If the government increases the subsidy, we will be able to increase our exports.

NOTE:

You can’t use ‘will’ twice in a sentence. Eg

• I will come if you will drive. (Incorrect)
• I will come if you drive. (Correct)

However, there is a school of thought that says it is ok to have two wills if it is a promise or offer, or if it means want to or be willing to.

 

I will be very happy if you will come to my daughter’s birthday party.

That is, if you are willing to come, or if you want to come.

We should finish the project in time if we will work tomorrow.

That is, if we are willing to work tomorrow, or want to work tomorrow.

We feel this is illogical; so we discourage this construction.