Present Simple for Future: Rules & Examples

Present Simple for Future Events

• Used for events on a timetable or program.
• Preferred for fixed, unchangeable events like sunrise times.
• Example: "The sun rises at 5:16 tomorrow" is more common than using "will".
• Avoided for less formal arrangements or predictions; use "will," "be going to," or the present continuous instead.
• Example: "Are you staying in to watch TV tonight?" is better than "Do you stay to watch TV tonight?"

Present Simple in Time and Conditional Clauses

• Used in time clauses with conjunctions like "after," "as soon as," "before," "by the time," "when," "while," and "until."
• Example: "When you see Ben, tell him he still owes me some money" is correct; avoid using "will".
• Used in real conditional clauses with "if," "in case," "provided," and "unless."
• Example: "Provided the right software is available, I should be able to solve the problem".
• Used with "suppose," "supposing," and "what if" to discuss possible future events (can also use past simple with a similar meaning).
• Example: "Suppose we miss the bus - how will we get home?" (or "Suppose we missed ...").

Present Continuous for Planned Future Events

• Used interchangeably with "be going to" for planned events.
• Indicates a firm intention or a definite decision.
• Example: "Are you seeing the doctor again next week?" or "Are you going to see ...?".
• Not used for predictions about uncontrollable events.
• Example: "I think it's going to rain soon" is correct instead of using the present continuous.
• Avoid when discussing permanent future situations.

Avoiding "be going to + go/come"

• Many people prefer using the present continuous of "go" and "come" instead of "be going to + go/come".
• Example: "I'm going to town on Saturday" is preferred over "I'm going to go to town...".

Future Continuous: I will be doing

• Used to describe something that is predicted to start before a particular point in the future and may continue after that point/describes the continuation of an action at a specific time in the future.
• Often the result of a previous decision or arrangement.
• Example: When the spacecraft goes into orbit, it will be carrying 30 kilos of plutonium.
• Also used for a future activity that is part of the normal course of events or a repeated series of events.
• Example: Dr. Lin will be giving the same talk in room 103 at ten next Thursday.

Comparison with Present Continuous

• Can often use either future continuous or present continuous for arranged activities or events in the future.
• Future continuous is preferred when not wanting to indicate willingness, intention, or invitation.
• When wondering the plans of someone, use will + subject + be + verb-ing

Future Perfect: I will have done

• Used to say that something will be ended, completed, or achieved by a particular point in the future.
• Example: By the time you get home, I will have cleaned the house from top to bottom.
• Used for politeness in formal contexts.
• Example: I hope this email will have reassured you that no further action is required.

Future Perfect Continuous: I will have been doing

• Used to emphasize the duration of an activity in progress at a particular point in the future.
• Example: Next year I will have been working in the company for 30 years.
• With both future perfect and future perfect continuous, mention the future time.

Expressing Belief or Imagination

• Future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous can also be used to say what we believe or imagine is happening around now.
• Example: Joe won't be using his car today - he went to work by bike.
• Future perfect continuous can express what we think was happening at a point in the past.
• Motorist Vicky Hao will have been asking herself whether speed cameras are a good idea after being fined.