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Christophe Delmas

The future is difficult to express for a French person as the French notion of time is very different from the English one. Six different tenses can be used. Here follows a description of how to use each of them.

1. BE GOING TO

· An intention (what has been decided)

We're going to have a meal.
I'm going to visit my uncle tomorrow.

· Prediction based on the present situation (what we can see, feel is going to happen)

There is no cloud. It's going to be a lovely day.
Look at the time ! We're going to be late !

· When the verb is BE, instead of 'going to be'

'I'm going to be in town' rather than 'I'm being in town'.

· Not used when the verb is GO : present continuous is used instead.

'I'm going to town' rather than 'I'm going to go to town'.

2. FUTURE SIMPLE (Will / Shall)

Shall can be used only in statements about the future with I and WE, although it is more common to use WILL.

· An instant decision (deciding at the moment of speaking)

- I feel really ill. - I'll call the doctor then.
We'll give you a lift.

· In offers and promises

I'll post that letter for you.

· Prediction about the future (what we think will happen)

I'll be free at five o'clock.

3. PRESENT CONTINUOUS (Be + ING)

· For definitive arrangements, personal plans

I'm meeting Ann at six o'clock.
Holly is going to Paris next week.

Compare : - We're having a party soon = We have made the arrangements
- We're going to have a party soon = We only have decided to have one

· When the verb is GO, instead of 'going to go to'

'I'm going to town' rather than 'I'm going to go to town'.

· Not used when the verb is BE : 'going to be' is used instead.

'I'm going to be in town' rather than 'I'm being in town'.

4. PRESENT SIMPLE

· Official arrangements and timetable
Will + infinitive can be used as well, although the present simple suggests that the arrangement is fixed and definitive.

The train leaves at ten o'clock tomorrow evening.
Nex Friday is the fifteenth.

· After when, before, etc and if, wh- and that, even if action is in the future

We'll have coffee when the visitors get here.
I'll tell her if I see her.
I'll make sure (that) you are invited next time (not ...you'll be invited...)

· It cannot be used for intentions and decisions

'I'm going to visit my uncle tomorrow' / 'Ican't come as I'll be visiting my uncle tomorrow by this time' and NOT 'I visit my uncle tomorrow'.

5. FUTURE CONTINUOUS (Will be + ING)

· For action over a period of future time. We will be in the middle of an action. The future time is normally mentionned.

This time next week, we'll be driving through France.

Compare : - The band will play when the President enters (The President will enter and then the band will play)
- The band will be playing when the President enters (The band will start playing before the President enters)

· For routine actions : action which is the result of a routine

I'll be passing your house this afternoon. It's on my way home from work.

Compare : Routine : I'll be seeing Nigel tomorrow. We work in the same departement.
Arrangement : I'm seeing Nigel tomorrow. We've arranged to meet.

· To politely check if someone's plans fit in with what we would like them to do

- How long will you be using this computer ? - You can have it in a minute.

6. FUTURE PERFECT (will have done - futur antérieur)

· For something that will be finished before a time in the future (like the French futur antérieur)

We'll have finished this work by Friday.
I'll have cleaned the house by the time you get home.

7. BE ABOUT TO

· For the very near future

Hurry up ! The train is about to leave !

8. BE TO

· For an official arrangement (stronger than the future simple) and to give orders.

The Queen is to visit Portugal in November.
You are to go to school tomorrow.

NOTES

· The difference between 'going to + infinitive' and 'will' can be very small. As a rule, 'going to' is preferred in spoken English whereas 'will' is preferred in formal written English.

· IF-SENTENCES :
WILL or GOING TO can be used with little difference in meaning of the main clause of an if-sentence when something is said to be conditional (ie : it will / is going to happen if something else happens first).
BUT, WILL is to be used when describing a future event that follows another.
I'll tell her if I see her.