Future forms review · Repaso de formas futuras
Talking about the future — a review
- English has several future forms. Here we put the main ones together.
- will, be going to, present continuous.
- Each one has a "best" job.
I am meeting my friend tomorrow; my calendar insists on a time.
Hablando del futuro — una revisión
- El inglés tiene varias formas de expresar el futuro. Aquí las reunimos todas.
- will, be going to, present continuous.
- Cada una tiene su función ideal.
Estoy quedando con mi amigo mañana; mi agenda exige una hora concreta.
will vs be going to
- will: spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises.
- be going to: plans you already have, evidence-based predictions.
- I'll help you. We're going to move house.
will vs be going to
- will: decisiones espontáneas, predicciones, promesas.
- be going to: planes ya establecidos, predicciones basadas en evidencia.
- Te ayudaré. Vamos a mudarnos de casa.
present continuous for arrangements
- Already arranged, with a fixed time or place → present continuous.
- I'm meeting the doctor at three. We're flying on Friday.
- It feels more "fixed" than going to.
Present continuous para compromisos
- Ya organizados, con hora o lugar fijo → present continuous.
- Quedo con el médico a las tres. Volamos el viernes.
- Se siente más "fijado" que going to.
Which future form fits? · ¿Qué forma futura corresponde?
will = decide now/predict; going to = plan; present continuous = fixed arrangement. · will = decisión ahora/predecir; going to = plan; present continuous = arreglo fijo.
An arrangement: I ___ meeting the doctor at three. (am / will) · Un arreglo: I ___ meeting the doctor at three. (am / will)
A fixed arrangement → present continuous: “I am meeting …”. · Un arreglo fijo → present continuous: “I am meeting …”.
time clauses: when, as soon as
- After when, as soon as, before, after, until, use the present, not will.
- I'll call you when I arrive. Wait until the rain stops.
Cláusulas de tiempo: when, as soon as
- Después de when, as soon as, before, after, until, usa el presente, no will.
- Te llamo cuando llegue. Espera hasta que pare la lluvia.
Choose: I'll call you when I ___ home. · Elige: I'll call you when I ___ home.
After “when”, use the present simple, not will: “when I get home”. · Después de “when”, usa el presente simple, no will: “when I get home”.
Is this correct? “As soon as he will arrive, we will eat.” · ¿Es esto correcto? “As soon as he will arrive, we will eat.”
Time clause uses the present: “As soon as he arrives, we will eat.” · La cláusula de tiempo usa el presente: “As soon as he arrives, we will eat.”
Translate into English: 我到了就给你打电话。 · Traduce al inglés: 我到了就给你打电话。
will in the main clause, present in the time clause: “… when I arrive.” · will en la oración principal, presente en la cláusula de tiempo: “… when I arrive.”
Common mistakes
- ❌ I will meeting him. → ✓ I will meet him. / I am meeting him. — don't mix the two patterns.
- Asking about someone's plans: ✓ What are you doing tonight?
- ❌ when I will arrive → ✓ when I arrive — no will in time clauses.
Errores comunes
- ❌ I will meeting him. → ✓ I will meet him. / I am meeting him. — No mezcles ambos patrones.
- Preguntar por los planes de alguien: ✓ What are you doing tonight?
- ❌ when I will arrive → ✓ when I arrive — Sin will en cláusulas de tiempo.
Match the situation to the best future form. · Empareja la situación con la mejor forma futura.
will = spontaneous; present continuous = arranged; going to = intended; present simple = timetabled. · will = espontáneo; present continuous = arreglado; going to = intencional; present simple = programado por horario.
Complete: I'll call you as soon as I ___ . (arrive) · Completa: I'll call you as soon as I ___ . (arrive)
as soon as starts a time clause → present simple, even about the future. · as soon as inicia una cláusula de tiempo → presente simple, incluso sobre el futuro.
- will (decisions/predictions) · going to (plans) · present continuous (arrangements).
- After when / as soon as / until, use the present, not will.
- will (decisiones/predicciones) · going to (planes) · present continuous (compromisos).
- Después de when / as soon as / until, usa el presente, no will.
Write one sentence about a fixed arrangement you have, using the present continuous for the future. · Escribe una oración sobre un arreglo fijo que tengas, usando el present continuous para el futuro.
Example: “I am seeing my friends on Saturday.” · Ejemplo: “I am seeing my friends on Saturday.”