Future forms: Will, be going to, present continuous

Grammar / B1 Grammar lessons and exercises \ Future forms: Will, be going to, present continuous

✏️ Exercises

Future Forms: Will, Be Going To, Present Continuous

Grammar chart comparing 'will', 'be going to', and present continuous for future: I will go / I'm going to go / I'm going. Designed for A2 English learners.

🟦Predictions

✅ Will

For general predictions or beliefs about the future:

  • I think he ’ll win the election.
  • He will be a good doctor.

✅ Be going to

When there’s visible evidence or it’s about to happen:

  • We’re going to have an accident!
  • The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.

🟩Decisions

✅ Will → Instant Decisions

Decided at the moment of speaking:

  • “We don’t have sugar.” → “I’ll buy some.”
  • “It’s hot.” → “I’ll open the window.”

✅ Be going to → Planned Decisions

Decided before speaking:

  • “Why are you undressing?” → “I’m going to go swimming.”
  • I’m going to study engineering next year.

🟪Arrangements

Use present continuous for fixed plans (include time/place):

  • I’m seeing the dentist at 6.
  • We’re getting married next week.
  • I’m flying to New York tomorrow morning.

You can also use be going to for arrangements:

  • I’m going to play tennis with Elisabeth today.

🟨Future Time Clauses (when, as soon as, until, before, after)

Use present simple after time conjunctions — NOT future forms:

❌ I’ll retire when I’ll be 70.
✅ I’ll retire when I’m 70.

❌ I won’t call you until I will arrive.
✅ I won’t call you until I arrive.

🟥Other Uses of Will

✅ Promises & Refusals

  • I will help you whenever you need me.
  • I won’t lend him my car.

✅ Future Facts

  • The president will visit the Vatican next November.

✅ Offers

  • I’ll carry that bag for you.
  • Shall I organise the meeting?

✅ Suggestions & Requests

  • Shall we eat out today?
  • Will you open the door, please?

🟦May / Might → Future Possibility

Use may or might when you’re not sure something will happen:

✅ Possible Future

  • I might be late for dinner. (possible)
  • Temperatures may go up next week.
  • The economy might suffer a recession.

✅ Possible Negative

  • She might not come — she looks tired.
  • We may not have enough time.

💡 Compare:
I’ll be late. (= I’m sure.)
I might be late. (= It’s possible, but not certain.)
I’m going to Denmark. (= Planned.)
I might go to Denmark. (= Maybe, if things work out.)

📌 Remember:
Will = predictions, instant decisions, promises, offers, requests
Be going to = evidence-based predictions, prior plans
Present Continuous = fixed arrangements (with time/place)
⚠️ After when, before, after, until, as soon as → use present simple
🔁 May/Might = uncertain future possibilities