Future tenses - contrasted

Future tenses: Simple Present; Present Progressive; going to-future; will-future

1) Use

Present Progressive	going to-future	will-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
planned action in the near future	planned action in the future; logical consequence (sth. is going to happen)	prediction, assumption; spontaneous action	action will definitely happen (it usually happens)	future action is fixed (e.g. timetable)

There is often very little difference between the future tenses. It often depends where you live (in Britain or the USA) and when you use the sentence (in spoken or written communication).

In newsapapers we often use the will-future, when the going to-future is used in oral communication.

newspaper:
The headmaster will close the old gym.

oral:
The headmaster is going to close the old gym.

We can substitute the going to-future with the Present Progressive when using an expression of time.

She is going to see Frank at the airport at 8.30.
She is seeing Frank at the airport at 8.30.

2) Signal words

There are no unambiguous signal words for the future tenses. That's why watch the actions carefully and then define the tense.

3) Form

Present Progressive	going to-future	will-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing	to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive	will + infinitive	will + be + infinitive + -ing	infinitive 3rd person singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s

4) Examples

Present Progressive	going to-future	will-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
4-1 Affirmative sentences
I am going to a party tonight.	We are going to fly to Leeds in summer.	He will carry this bag for you.	They will be playing football on Sunday afternoon.	The train leaves at 6.45.

Present Progressive	going to-future	will-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
4-2 Negative sentences
I am not going to a party tonight.	We are not going to fly to Leeds in summer.	He will not carry this bag for you.	They will not be playing football on Sunday afternoon.	The train does not leave at 6.45.

Present Progressive	going to-future	will-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
4-3 Questions
Am I going to a party tonight?	Are we going to fly to Leeds in summer?	Will he carry this bag for you?	Will they be playing football on Sunday afternoon.	Does the train leave at 6.45?

5) Spelling

Present Progressive	going to-future	Future Progressive	Simple Present
sitting (double consonant after short vowel)	nothing special	sitting (double consonant after short vowel)	watches (-es after sibilant)
writing (leave out one -e at the end)		writing (leave out one -e at the end)	goes (-es after -o)
lying (change -ie to -y)		lying (change -ie to -y)	hurries (-y to -ie after consonant)