2. Future Continuous:

• for an action which will be in progress at a stated future time

This time next week, we’ll be cruising round the islands.

• for an action which will definitely happen in the future as the result of a routine or arrangement.

We’ll be waiting outside the station.

“Don’t call Julie. I’ll be seeing her later, so I’ll pass the message on.”

• when we ask politely about somebody’s plans for the near future (what we want to know is if our wishes fit in with their plans)

Will you be using the photocopier for long?

2. Future Perfect:

for an action which will be finished before a stated future time

She will have delivered all the newspapers by 8 o’clock.

She will have finished the report by tomorrow.

Time expressions often used with Future Perfect

Before, by, by then, by the time, until/till (in negatives)

Note:

We can use the future simple, future continuous or future perfect to make a prediction about the present or past, that is to say what we believe may be happening or have happened.

“There is somebody in the phone for you” “That’ll be my mom.” (I think that is my mom.)

Don’t call her now – she’ll be sleeping. (I guess she is sleeping now)

It is seven o’clock. Dad will have left the office by now. (I believe Dad has already left the office. He is not there.)

2. Future Perfect Continuous

We use this tense to emphasize the duration of an action up to a certain time in the future:

By the end of a next month, she will have been teaching for twenty years.

2. Present Simple

We use this tense:

• for future actions when we refer to programmes, timetables, calendar references:

The bus arrives in Liverpool at 7:30.

School starts in September.

• to describe fixed events which are not simply the wishes of the speaker:

Tom retires in three years.

Students graduate from the university in five years.

2. Present Continuous

We use this tense:

for actions that we have arranged to do in the near future, especially when the time and place have been decided, often with tonight, at eight…, this weekend…, etc.

They are moving into their new house next week. (the time has been decided)

Future Simple and Be going to

We use the future simple:

• when we make a prediction based on what we think, believe or imagine

He won’t pass the exam.

• for on-the-spot decisions

I like the necklace. I’ll take it.

We use be going to:

• when we make a prediction based on what we can see (evidence) or what we know

She is going to cut the sunflowers.

• for actions we have already decided o do in the future (intention)

I’m going to give the blouse to my daughter as a gift.

Present Continuous and Be going to

We use the present continuous

• for actions which have been decided and arranged

I’m seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow (=I have already decided to see my psychiatrist)

We use be going to:

• for actions which we intend or plan to do (not arrange)

I’m going to see my psychiatrist tomorrow.(=I intend to see my psychiatrist tomorrow)