Future Tenses in English: WATCH THIS to Finally Learn How to Use Them (LOTS OF EXAMPLES) 😀

Summary

This video explains how to use different tenses in English to talk about the future. It covers three key tenses: present continuous (for fixed plans), present simple (for scheduled events like flights or movies), and 'be going to' (for intentions or plans without fixed details). The presenter provides real-life examples, such as picking someone up from the airport or planning to study for an exam. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding these tenses and practicing their usage to achieve fluency, offering viewers a guide to mastering them.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Present Continuous tense is used for future arrangements or fixed plans, such as 'My sister is coming tonight.'
• 😀 The Present Continuous tense is used when something has been arranged or scheduled in advance, like picking someone up from the airport.
• 😀 The Present Simple tense is used for events scheduled on a timetable, such as 'Her flight gets in at 5:10.'
• 😀 The Present Simple tense is used for fixed events like movies or store hours, e.g., 'The movie starts at eight.'
• 😀 The phrase 'Be going to' is used for intentions or plans, like 'We're going to get dinner,' when the details are not yet fixed.
• 😀 'Be going to' expresses future actions that are intended but not yet scheduled, such as 'I'm going to take the IELTS exam this summer.'
• 😀 'Be going to' is also used for activities like studying or cleaning, e.g., 'She's going to study for her exam.'
• 😀 The Present Continuous tense suggests a firm arrangement has been made, while 'Be going to' focuses on intention without specific details.
• 😀 The Present Simple tense is only used for events that are scheduled and cannot be changed, like flight times or movie showtimes.
• 😀 To effectively learn these tenses, practice using them in context through repetition and real-world examples.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video transcript?

The main focus of the video transcript is explaining how to use three different tenses—present continuous, present simple, and 'be going to'—to talk about the future.

When is the present continuous tense used to talk about the future?

The present continuous tense is used when discussing future arrangements or fixed plans that are already scheduled. For example, 'My sister is coming tonight.'

What are some examples of using the present continuous tense in the context of future arrangements?

Examples include: 'I'm picking her up,' and 'Paul is working tonight.' These are fixed plans or arrangements.

How does the present simple tense relate to future events?

The present simple tense is used to talk about future events that are scheduled or follow a timetable, such as 'Her flight gets in at 5:10' or 'The movie starts at 8.'

What type of events is the present simple tense typically used for?

The present simple tense is typically used for events on a schedule or timetable, such as flights, train departures, movie screenings, or business hours.

How is 'be going to' different from the present continuous when discussing the future?

'Be going to' is used to express intention or planned actions, often without a fixed arrangement, while the present continuous focuses on fixed plans that are already scheduled.

Why did the speaker use 'be going to' in the sentence 'We're going to get dinner'?

The speaker used 'be going to' because the plan to get dinner is not yet fixed or arranged; it's an intention without specific details about time or place.

How does the use of 'be going to' compare to the present continuous when talking about future events?

'Be going to' implies intention without a fixed date or arrangement, whereas the present continuous suggests a definite plan or scheduled action, like 'I’m picking her up.'

Can the present continuous tense be used for all future plans?

No, the present continuous tense is only used for fixed, scheduled plans that have already been arranged, not for general intentions or uncertain future events.

What type of events might you use the present simple for besides flight schedules?

The present simple is also used for events like opening times of businesses, movie start times, train schedules, or any event that is fixed and follows a timetable.