Understanding the Four Types of Future Tenses
This comprehensive page outlines the four main types of future expressions in English grammar, providing detailed explanations of their forms and uses.
Definition: The tipi di futuro in inglese consist of Present Continuous (for future), Going To, Will, and Present Simple (with future meaning).
Highlight: Each future form serves distinct purposes, from expressing planned actions to making spontaneous decisions.
Present Continuous for Future:
Example: Used for planned actions
- Form: Subject + be + verb-ing
- Negative: Subject + be + not + verb-ing
- Question: Be + subject + verb-ing?
- Time expressions: Next week
Going To:
Vocabulary: Used for intentions and near-future predictions
- Affirmative: Subject + be + going to + base form
- Negative: Subject + be + not + going to + base form
- Question: Be + subject + going to + base form?
Will:
Example: Used for:
- Predictions based on thoughts
- Spontaneous decisions
- Inevitable events
- Recommendations
- Requests or offers
Form:
- Affirmative: Subject + will + base form
- Negative: Subject + won't + base form
- Question: Will + subject + base form?
Present Simple for Future:
Definition: Used for scheduled events (transport, venues, events)
- Affirmative: Subject + verb (+ s for 3rd person)
- Negative: Subject + don't/doesn't + verb
- Question: Do/Does + subject + verb
Future Probability:
Highlight: May (100% possibility) and Might (30% possibility) are used to express future possibilities
Form: Subject + may/might + verb