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Present Simple for future

a)We can also use the Present Simple to talk about future events based on a timetable, programme, schedule or calendar.

The bus arrives in Warsaw at 9.30.

Our company has its 50th anniversary next year.

b)We use the Present Simple for the future in time clauses after such words as while, before , after, until/till, when, as soon as, by the time, once, etc. and in if-clauses after if, in case, unless, on condition that, suppose/supposing, etc.

As soon as I hear anything I’ll let you know.

Our Production Manager will show you the factory before you leave. She will call him in case he forgets.

You will be tired tomorrow if you don’t get some sleep this evening.

Note: If when is used as a question word we can use future forms:

I am not sure when they will visit us. But: I’ll let you know when I decide.

When if means whether and is used after expressions which show uncertainty ( I don’t know, I doubt, I wonder, etc) we can use future forms:

I don’t know if/whether I will be able to finish the report on time. I wonder if/whether John will give me a lift to the airport.

Practice

Exercise 1

Put the verbs into the Present Simple with a future meaning.

1. The football match ……. (start) at 8 o’clock. 2. The train ……. (leave) Plymouth at 10.30 and ……. (arrive) in London at 12.45. 3. … the film …. (begin) at 2.30 or 4.30? 4. The art exhibition ……. (open) on 7 May and …… (finish) on 10 July. 5. What time …. the next bus ….. (leave)? 6. Next Friday ……. (be) the fifteenth of November.

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Exercise 2

In each sentence put one verb into the future simple and one into the present simple.

1.I expect our share price ……. (rise) when we ……. (announce) the sales figures.

2.As soon as the goods ……. (arrive), I ……. (call) you.

3.Don’t worry, I ……. (turn off) the lights before I ……. (leave).

4.When we ……. (upgrade) the website, you ……. (be able to) order online.

5.After we ……. (pay) all our taxes, we ……. (have) very little money left for reinvesting in the business.

6.I ……. (introduce) you to these people as soon as you ……. (come) to the meeting.

7.If she ……. (hire) a car, it ……. (be) too complicated. I’d rather take my own.

Exercise 3

Fill in the future simple or the present simple.

1). Tomorrow I ……. (leave) the hotel early in case there ……. (be) a lot of traffic. I don’t know how long the journey ……. (take) or what time the plane ……. (land), but I …... (call) you as soon as I ……. (arrive) at the airport. Then I ……. (wait) until you …... (come) to collect me.

2). I was calling to ask if you’d like to go out after we ……. (finish) work tomorrow or if you ……. (want) to watch a video instead. Call me back as soon as you …….(get) in. I ……. (wait) until I ……. (hear) from you.

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Future Continuous

We use the Future Continuous:

a)to talk about an action which will be in progress at a stated future time. It means that at some time in the future we will be in the middle of doing something.

Tomorrow at 9.30 I will be watching the match.

This time next week we will be lying on a beautiful beach. You will recognize her. She will be wearing a yellow hat.

b) to talk about an action which will definitely happen in the future as a result of a routine or because we have planned or decided to do it.

I’ll be passing your house. It’s on my way home from work. So I’ll call in and see you tomorrow.

My parents will be cleaning the house tomorrow. They always do it on Sunday.

c) to ask politely about someone’s plans for the near future, especially when we want something.

Will you be using the computer for long? – No. Why? – I need to print a hard copy of the report.

Will you be passing the chemist’s this morning? Could you buy me some aspirin, please? – Yes, of course.

We form the Future Continuous with will + be + the -ing form of the verb.

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Practice

Exercise 1

Complete the sentences. Put in the future continuous form of the verb.

1. All tomorrow afternoon I ……. (work) on my history project. 2. This time tomorrow we ……. (catch) the plane to Brazil! 3. I ……. (see) Henry later, so I’ll pass your message on. 4. Jim always goes to bed at 11 o’clock. If you arrive after eleven he ……. (sleep). 5. I have to go. Ted ……. (wait) for me outside the cinema at 7. 6. Don’t phone her at 10.00, she ……. (interview) an applicant for a job. 7. ….. you ….. (use) your bicycle tomorrow morning? – No, you can take it. 8. What ….. you …. (do) in ten years’ time? 9. The train arrives at 8.30. They ……. (meet) us on the platform at this time. 10. ….. Dad ….. (drive) to work tomorrow? Can he give me a lift to the festival?

Exercise 2

Complete the conversation. Put in the future continuous form of the verb.

Daniel: I’m going to go into business when I leave college. Five years from now I … … (run) a big company. I expect I ……. (earn) lots of money.

Vicky: I don’t know what I ……. (do). What about you, Natasha? What …. you ….

(do), do you think?

Natasha: I’m too lazy to do any work. I intend to marry someone very rich. I ……. (give) dinner parties all the time. We’ll have a cook who ……. (do) all the work, of course. And you’ll both get invitations.

Vicky: You’re joking , aren’t you, Natasha? I expect you ……. (play) in an orchestra. That’s what you really want to do, isn’t it?

Exercise 3

Answer the questions.

1. What will you be doing at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning? 2. What will your mother /friend be doing this time tomorrow? 3. Will you be using the Internet tonight? 4. Will you be studying all day tomorrow? 5. What do you think you will be doing in five years’ time? 6. Will you be watching TV this evening? 7. What will you be doing at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon?