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