Blog about English
Using will, be going to, Present Continuous and Present Simple to express future meaning.
English uses several grammatical forms to talk about the future rather than one single future tense.
The most common future forms include will, be going to, the Present Continuous, and the Present Simple. The choice depends on meaning and context.
I will call you tomorrow.
Я позвоню тебе завтра.
Will for a simple future action.
She is going to start a new job next month.
Она собирается начать новую работу в следующем месяце.
Be going to for a prior intention.
We are meeting the manager at three.
Мы встречаемся с менеджером в три.
Present Continuous for a fixed arrangement.
The train leaves at 8:30.
Поезд отправляется в 8:30.
Present Simple for a timetable.
Use will followed by the base form of the main verb.
The basic structure is subject + will + base verb. For example, I will call you and She will arrive tomorrow.
I will call you.
Я позвоню тебе.
Subject + will + base verb.
She will arrive tomorrow.
Она приедет завтра.
Will + base verb.
They will help us.
Они помогут нам.
Will + base verb.
Form the negative with will not or the contraction will not, commonly shortened to will not or won't.
For example, I will not forget and She won't be late.
I will not forget.
Я не забуду.
Will not.
She won't be late.
Она не опоздает.
Won't is contraction of will not.
They will not agree.
Они не согласятся.
Will not + base verb.
Form questions by placing will before the subject.
For example, Will you come tomorrow? Will she help us? and When will they arrive?
Will you come tomorrow?
Ты придёшь завтра?
Yes/no question with will.
Will she help us?
Она поможет нам?
Yes/no question.
When will they arrive?
Когда они приедут?
Wh-question.
Use will to make predictions about the future, especially when the prediction is based on personal opinion, belief, or expectation.
For example, I think it will rain tomorrow and I am sure she will enjoy the trip.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Я думаю, завтра пойдёт дождь.
Prediction based on opinion.
I am sure she will enjoy the trip.
Я уверен, что ей понравится поездка.
Prediction.
He will probably pass the exam.
Он, вероятно, сдаст экзамен.
Prediction with probably.
Use will for decisions that are made at the moment of speaking.
For example, The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
Телефон звонит. Я отвечу.
Decision made at the moment.
It's cold in here. I'll close the window.
Здесь холодно. Я закрою окно.
Spontaneous decision.
I'll have a coffee, please.
Я возьму кофе, пожалуйста.
Instant decision.
Use will to make offers to help or do something for someone.
For example, I will carry that for you and I will help you with your homework.
I will carry that for you.
Я понесу это для тебя.
Offer to help.
I will help you with your homework.
Я помогу тебе с домашним заданием.
Offer.
We'll give you a lift.
Мы подвезём тебя.
Offer.
Use will to make promises about future actions.
For example, I will call you tomorrow and I will not tell anyone.
I will call you tomorrow.
Я позвоню тебе завтра.
Promise.
I will not tell anyone.
Я никому не расскажу.
Negative promise.
We will be there on time.
Мы будем там вовремя.
Promise.
Use will in questions to make requests.
For example, Will you help me? and Will you close the window?
Will you help me?
Ты поможешь мне?
Request.
Will you close the window?
Ты закроешь окно?
Request.
Will you pass the salt, please?
Передайте соль, пожалуйста.
Polite request.
Use a form of be followed by going to and the base form of the main verb.
The structure is subject + am, is, or are + going to + base verb. For example, I am going to study and They are going to travel.
I am going to study.
Я собираюсь учиться.
am + going to + base verb.
They are going to travel.
Они собираются путешествовать.
are + going to + base verb.
She is going to buy a car.
Она собирается купить машину.
is + going to + base verb.
Use be going to to talk about plans or intentions that existed before the moment of speaking.
For example, I am going to learn Spanish and She is going to apply for the job.
I am going to learn Spanish.
Я собираюсь учить испанский.
Prior intention.
She is going to apply for the job.
Она собирается подать заявку на эту работу.
Intention.
We are going to paint the house.
Мы собираемся покрасить дом.
Planned intention.
Use be going to for predictions based on present evidence or visible signs.
For example, Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
Посмотри на тучи. Собирается дождь.
Evidence: clouds.
Be careful! You are going to drop that glass.
Осторожно! Ты уронишь этот стакан.
Visible sign.
The baby is going to cry.
Ребёнок сейчас заплачет.
Prediction based on observation.
Use the Present Continuous to talk about personal arrangements that have already been made.
For example, I am meeting Sarah tomorrow and We are flying to Paris next week.
I am meeting Sarah tomorrow.
Завтра я встречаюсь с Сарой.
Fixed personal arrangement.
We are flying to Paris next week.
На следующей неделе мы летим в Париж.
Arrangement.
He is having dinner with friends tonight.
Сегодня вечером он ужинает с друзьями.
Arranged plan.
The Present Continuous is especially common when the future arrangement involves a specific time, place, or other concrete details.
For example, I am seeing the dentist at three o’clock tomorrow.
I am seeing the dentist at three o'clock tomorrow.
Завтра в три часа я иду к зубному врачу.
Specific time and person.
She is meeting her supervisor at two.
В два часа она встречается с руководителем.
Specific arrangement.
We are visiting the new office on Friday morning.
В пятницу утром мы посещаем новый офис.
Specific time.
Use the Present Simple for scheduled events, timetables, and official programmes.
For example, The train leaves at 8:30 and The meeting starts at nine.
The train leaves at 8:30.
Поезд отправляется в 8:30.
Timetable.
The meeting starts at nine.
Встреча начинается в девять.
Scheduled event.
The film begins at 7 p.m.
Фильм начинается в 19:00.
Programme time.
After time conjunctions such as when, before, after, until, as soon as, and while, English usually uses a present form to refer to the future.
For example, I will call you when I arrive, not when I will arrive.
I will call you when I arrive.
Я позвоню тебе, когда приеду.
When + present simple for future, not will.
We will start as soon as she comes.
Мы начнём, как только она придёт.
As soon as + present simple.
They will wait until you finish.
Они подождут, пока ты закончишь.
Until + present simple.
Both will and be going to can refer to the future, but they are often chosen for different meanings.
Will is commonly used for instant decisions and predictions based on opinion, while be going to is commonly used for prior intentions and predictions based on evidence.
I think I will go to the gym tonight.
Я думаю, я пойду в спортзал сегодня вечером.
Will for a spontaneous decision/opinion.
I am going to go to the gym tonight. I already packed my bag.
Я собираюсь пойти в спортзал сегодня вечером. Я уже собрал сумку.
Be going to for prior intention.
Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
Посмотри на тучи! Собирается дождь.
Be going to for prediction based on evidence.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Я думаю, завтра пойдёт дождь.
Will for opinion prediction.
Be going to usually emphasizes an intention or plan, while the Present Continuous often emphasizes an arrangement that has been organized.
Compare I am going to visit London with I am visiting London next Friday.
I am going to visit London next year.
В следующем году я собираюсь посетить Лондон.
Intention, not necessarily fixed arrangement.
I am visiting London next Friday.
В следующую пятницу я посещаю Лондон.
Fixed arrangement with specific time.
She is going to have a party.
Она собирается устроить вечеринку.
Intention.
She is having a party on Saturday.
В субботу у неё вечеринка.
Arrangement.
Will is often used for spontaneous decisions and predictions, while the Present Continuous is used for arrangements that have already been made.
Compare I will call her now with I am calling her tomorrow at six.
I will call her now.
Я позвоню ей сейчас.
Spontaneous decision.
I am calling her tomorrow at six.
Я звоню ей завтра в шесть.
Fixed arrangement.
They will probably arrive late.
Они, вероятно, прибудут поздно.
Prediction with will.
They are arriving at seven.
Они приезжают в семь.
Arrangement.
Different future forms can express different levels of planning and certainty.
Be going to can express an intention, while the Present Continuous often suggests that practical arrangements have already been made.
I am going to start a new course.
Я собираюсь начать новый курс.
Plan/intention.
We are meeting the architect tomorrow.
Завтра мы встречаемся с архитектором.
Arrangement.
She is going to change jobs.
Она собирается сменить работу.
Intention.
They are flying to Madrid next week.
На следующей неделе они летят в Мадрид.
Arrangement.
Will is commonly used after expressions such as I think, I believe, I expect, and probably when giving an opinion about the future.
For example, I think she will get the job and They will probably arrive late.
I think she will get the job.
Я думаю, она получит эту работу.
Will after I think.
They will probably arrive late.
Они, вероятно, прибудут поздно.
Probably with will.
I believe he will succeed.
Я верю, что он добьётся успеха.
Will after believe.
Use be going to when a prediction is based on something that can be seen or known in the present.
For example, Be careful! You are going to drop that glass.
Be careful! You are going to drop that glass.
Осторожно! Ты уронишь этот стакан.
Evidence: glass is slipping.
The sky is very dark. It is going to storm.
Небо очень тёмное. Будет гроза.
Visible evidence.
She is going to have a baby.
У неё будет ребёнок.
Evidence: pregnancy.
Use hope with an appropriate future form depending on the meaning of the sentence.
For example, I hope it will not rain and I hope you are going to enjoy your trip.
I hope it will not rain.
Надеюсь, дождя не будет.
Hope + will.
I hope you are going to enjoy your trip.
Надеюсь, тебе понравится поездка.
Hope + be going to.
We hope she will come to the party.
Мы надеемся, что она придёт на вечеринку.
Hope + will.
Shall is mainly used with I and we in offers and suggestions, especially in British English.
For example, Shall I open the window? and Shall we go now?
Shall I open the window?
Открыть окно?
Offer with shall I.
Shall we go now?
Пойдём сейчас?
Suggestion with shall we.
Where shall we meet?
Где нам встретиться?
Question with shall.
Future forms are often used with expressions that indicate future time.
Common expressions include tomorrow, next week, soon, later, in a few days, this evening, and in the future.
I will call you tomorrow.
Я позвоню тебе завтра.
Tomorrow.
She is going to visit us next week.
На следующей неделе она собирается нас навестить.
Next week.
They will arrive soon.
Они скоро приедут.
Soon.
We are meeting later today.
Мы встречаемся позже сегодня.
Later today.
Choose the future form based on meaning and do not automatically use will for every future situation.
Common mistakes include using will after when or if in future time clauses, confusing plans with arrangements, and using going to without the correct form of be.
I will call you when I will arrive.
Я позвоню тебе, когда приеду.
Incorrect: use present simple after when, not will.
She is going to calls you.
Она собирается позвонить тебе.
Incorrect: after going to, use base form call, not calls.
We will going to travel.
Мы собираемся путешествовать.
Incorrect: mix of will and going to; use "are going to travel" or "will travel".
He will to help.
Он поможет.
Incorrect: will is followed by base form without to.
The train is leaving at 8:30 every day.
Поезд отправляется в 8:30 каждый день.
Incorrect: for timetable/schedule use present simple "leaves", not present continuous.