Future tenses
Use the future tenses and avoid will in time clauses.
You have learnt the present and past tenses. This lesson completes the set with the four future tenses and one important rule about time clauses.
The future tenses are verb forms built with will or shall that describe actions which have not happened yet.
Examples
- The new metro line will open next year.
- I shall return the book on Friday.
- Don't call at eight; we will be having dinner.
- By Diwali, the painters will have finished the house.
- By December, Ajay will have been working here for five years.
How it works
Simple future
Use will + base verb for predictions, promises and decisions made while speaking. Shall is also used with I and we, especially in formal British style.
Don't worry, I will help you with the shifting.
Future continuous
Use will be + -ing for an action that will be in progress at a particular future time.
At ten tomorrow, Nisha will be giving her presentation.
Future perfect forms
Use will have + past participle for an action that will be complete before a future time, usually with by. Use will have been + -ing to say how long an action will have lasted by then.
By the time you arrive, we will have left for the airport.
No will in time clauses
After when, as soon as, before, after, until and by the time, use the simple present (or present perfect) to talk about the future. Will belongs only in the main clause.
We will start the meeting when everyone arrives.
Quick reference
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple future | will / shall + base verb | She will join the firm in May. |
| Future continuous | will be + -ing | She will be travelling all next week. |
| Future perfect | will have + past participle | She will have joined by the end of May. |
| Future perfect continuous | will have been + -ing | By 2030, she will have been working there for five years. |
| Time clause (no will) | when / before / until + simple present | She will call when she lands. |
Common mistakes
✕I will wait here until you will come back.
✓I will wait here until you come back.
After until, use the present tense, not will.
✕Tomorrow at this time I will travel to Shimla.
✓Tomorrow at this time I will be travelling to Shimla.
An action in progress at a future moment needs the future continuous.
✕She will has finished by noon.
✓She will have finished by noon.
After will, always use the base form have.
Worked example
Exercise 1
Choose the correct word.
I think it ___ rain this evening. (will / is / has)
✓I think it will rain this evening.
A prediction about the future uses will + base verb.
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