Future forms review
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.
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.
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.
Which future form fits?
will = decide now/predict; going to = plan; present continuous = fixed arrangement.
An arrangement: I ___ meeting the doctor at three. (am / will)
A fixed arrangement → 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.
Choose: I'll call you when I ___ home.
After “when”, use the present simple, not will: “when I get home”.
Is this correct? “As soon as he will arrive, we will eat.”
Time clause uses the present: “As soon as he arrives, we will eat.”
Translate into English: 我到了就给你打电话。
will in the main clause, present in the time clause: “… 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.
Match the situation to the best future form.
will = spontaneous; present continuous = arranged; going to = intended; present simple = timetabled.
Complete: I'll call you as soon as I ___ . (arrive)
as soon as starts a time clause → present simple, even about the future.
- will (decisions/predictions) · going to (plans) · present continuous (arrangements).
- After when / as soon as / until, use the present, not will.
Write one sentence about a fixed arrangement you have, using the present continuous for the future.
Example: “I am seeing my friends on Saturday.”