English has no single 'future tense': Unlike many languages, English does not have one future tense. Instead it uses several future forms, and the one you choose tells the reader how you see the event — as a prediction, a plan, an arrangement or a timetable.
The four you need at SL are: will, be going to, the present continuous, and the present simple. This micro shows how each is built and exactly when to reach for it.
- will (+ base verb)
- the modal 'will' followed by the bare infinitive: I will go, she will help
- be going to (+ base verb)
- am/is/are + going to + base verb: I am going to study, we are going to travel
- present continuous
- am/is/are + the -ing form: I am meeting, they are leaving
- present simple
- the base verb (he/she/it adds -s): the train leaves, the shop opens
- a prediction
- a guess about what will happen in the future
- an arrangement
- a plan you have already fixed with other people (a date, a time, a place)
- a timetable
- a fixed, official schedule (trains, classes, opening hours)
Why it carries the marks: Future forms turn up in every writing task — a blog about your plans, an email confirming arrangements, an article predicting the future. Choosing the right form (and contracting correctly: I'll, she's going to) is core Criterion A (Language) accuracy. Examiners notice 'I will meet you at six' where a native would say 'I'm meeting you at six'.
How each one is built: Each form is made the same way for every person — there are no extra endings to learn.
will = will + base verb (same for I/you/he/we/they). Negative: won't. Contraction: I'll, she'll.
be going to = am/is/are + going to + base verb. The only thing that changes is am/is/are.
present continuous = am/is/are + verb-ing.
present simple = the base verb; add -s for he/she/it.
| Form | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| will | I'll call you. | I won't be late. | Will you come? |
| be going to | She's going to study. | They aren't going to wait. | Are you going to help? |
| present continuous | We're meeting at six. | He isn't coming tonight. | Are you leaving soon? |
| present simple | The film starts at eight. | The shop doesn't open on Sunday. | What time does it close? |
Always a BASE verb after 'will' and 'going to': After will and after going to the verb stays in its base form — never add -s or -ing: write 'She will go' / 'She is going to go', never «she will goes» or «she is going to going». For the present continuous the second verb takes -ing (we are meeting); for the present simple only he/she/it adds -s (the train leaves).
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The form carries the meaning: The four forms are not interchangeable. The trick is to ask what kind of future you mean: a guess, a plan, a booked arrangement, or an official schedule. Get that right and the grammar follows.
Use WILL for…
- Predictions / opinions about the future — 'I think it will rain.'
- Decisions made at the moment of speaking — 'The phone's ringing — I'll get it.'
- Promises and offers — 'I'll help you.' / 'I'll call you tonight.'
Use BE GOING TO for…
- Plans and intentions decided before now — 'I'm going to study medicine.'
- Predictions based on present evidence — 'Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.'
- Things you already see coming — 'Slow down, we're going to crash!'
Use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS for…
- Fixed future arrangements with a time/place — 'I'm meeting Anna at six.'
- Things in your diary — 'We're flying to Rome on Friday.'
- Usually with a future time word — tomorrow, on Monday, next week.
Use the PRESENT SIMPLE for…
- Timetables and schedules — 'The train leaves at 6:55.'
- Programmes and opening hours — 'The museum opens at ten.'
- Fixed events you do not control — 'Term starts on 4 September.'
will vs going to in one line: Decide when you decided. If you decide as you speak → will ('OK, I'll do it'). If you already decided before the conversation → be going to ('I'm going to do it tomorrow'). For a booked diary event with a time, prefer the present continuous ('I'm doing it at three').
All four forms in one short message: Here is a short email built one line at a time. Watch how the writer switches form depending on the meaning — a booked arrangement, a prediction, an intention, a timetable, a promise. Read it once for meaning, then check the note in each step.
IB-style task — future forms in action
An email, line by line
- Hi Sam! I'm writing to tell you about my plans for next week — I'm so excited.
- On Monday I'm taking my driving test. (present continuous — it's a fixed arrangement, already booked).
- I think I'll pass, but if I fail I'm going to book more lessons straight away. ('I'll' is a prediction; 'I'm going to' is an intention I've already decided).
- My train leaves at 6:55 and arrives in York at half past eight. (present simple — a fixed timetable).
- Don't worry about the tickets — I'll buy them tonight, and I promise I'll call you the moment I get there.
Steal this for your writing: A strong 'future plans' answer almost always mixes forms: present continuous for what's booked, be going to for intentions, will for predictions and promises, present simple for any timetable. Using a range of forms accurately is exactly what lifts Criterion A.
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The slips to watch for: Four mistakes dominate. Putting a verb in the wrong form after 'will' («she will goes»); writing 'will to' («I will to help»); using 'will' for a booked diary arrangement where English prefers the present continuous; and using 'be going to' for a sudden decision where English uses 'will'. Compare the right version with the typical mistake and the fix is obvious.
Correct
- She will help you tomorrow.
- I'm meeting the dentist at four. (booked arrangement)
- The phone's ringing — I'll answer it. (decision now)
Common mistake
- She will to help you tomorrow. (drop 'to' — just 'will help')
- I will meet the dentist at four. (prefer the present continuous for a booked time)
- The phone's ringing — I'm going to answer it. (a sudden decision needs 'will')
Ask: what kind of future, and is the verb in its base form?: Before you write a future form, do two quick checks. 1. Decide the meaning: prediction/decision → will; plan/intention → be going to; booked arrangement → present continuous; timetable → present simple. 2. After will and going to keep the verb in its base form and never add 'to' after 'will'.