FUTURE
In English,
the future tense is different from Italian. The “future” form depends on what
the action or state is at the time of speaking. (For example, is it programmed?
Is it an intention? Is it an idea you have? Is it on a timetable?)
Present Simple
|
Present Continuous
|
Be going to
|
Will
|
-habitual action
I visit my
grandmother every weekend.
-future: timetable (orario stabilito)
The bus to my
grandmother leaves on Saturday at 8 in the morning.
Naples plays against
Juve this Saturday afternoon.
|
-action happening at
the moment.
I’m going to school now.
-programmed future
I’m visiting my
grandmother this weekend. (My grandmother knows. I called and made plans with
her.)
|
-future intention
I’m going to visit my
grandmother this weekend.
(I want to go but I
did not call my grandmother.)
-something evident is going to happen Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain. She's got a big belly. She's going to have a baby. |
-predictions
In 2030 cars will
fly.
-promises
I’ll call you this
weekend.
-decision made the
moment speaking
(At a restaurant) I’ll
have the hamburger and chips.
What are you doing
this weekend?
I don’t know. I
think I will go to the cinema.
I might go to the cinema.
I will probably go
to the cinema.
-personal ideas in
the future
I (don’t) think
I’m (not) sure
I’m (not) certain
I don’t think I will
go to the cinema this weekend.
|
may/might – probability
I may/might
go to the cinema this weekend.
probably / definitely
– use only with “will” (before the main
verb)
I will probably
go to the cinema on Saturday. (personal)
I will definitely
go to the cinema on Saturday. (personal)
Perhaps / Maybe (Forse) – use only with “will”
(at the beginning of the sentence)
Perhaps I will go to the cinema on
Saturday.
Maybe I will go to the cinema on
Saturday.
Tomorrow I’m
leaving for London. My plane leaves at 7 in the morning.
Present
Continuous because my future action is programmed. Present simple because the
plane has a timetable.
NOTE: Do
not confuse “may” with its formal form in asking for permission.
Informal: Can I go to the toilet, please? Can I go to the vending machine, please? Can I
leave the room, please?
Semi-formal:
Could I go to the toilet, please? Could
I go to the vending machine, please? Could I leave the room, please?
Formal: May
I go to the toilet, please? May I go to
the vending machine, please? May I leave the room, please?
WATCH VIDEOS to HELP YOU:
WILL vs. BE GOING TO - 1
WILL vs. BE GOING TO - 2
WILL, BE GOING TO or PRESENT CONTINUOUS - 1
WILL, BE GOING TO or PRESENT CONTINUOUS - 2
TEST YOUR ENGLISH:
WILL vs. BE GOING TO - 1
WILL vs. BE GOING TO - 2
WILL, BE GOING TO or PRESENT CONTINUOUS - 1
WILL, BE GOING TO or PRESENT CONTINUOUS - 2
