Future Forms

For High-Intermediate English learners

There are different ways of talking about the future in English. While one structure may be preferred for certain meanings, in many cases more than one structure can be used with little or no change of meaning.

Future Form	Grammar Pattern	Meaning	Explanation	Examples
Present be going to	subject + be + going to + base verb	Planned or intended actions in the future	Used when something is already decided or planned	I am going to visit my grandparents next weekend.
Will	subject + will + base verb	Spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises, or offers	Used for decisions made at the moment or predictions/promises	It’s hot here. I will open the window.
Present Continuous	subject + am/is/are + present participle (-ing form)	Fixed plans or arrangements in the near future	Used for actions already planned or arranged	I am meeting my friend for dinner tonight.
Might/May	subject + might/may + base verb	Possibilities or uncertain future events	Used when there is a possibility, but uncertainty	I might go to the party if I finish my work early.
Future Continuous	subject + will be + present participle (-ing form)	Ongoing actions or events in the future	Used to describe actions happening at a specific time	They will be watching a movie this time next week.