Learn English Tenses: 4 ways to talk about the FUTURE

Summary

In this lesson, Emma introduces four future tenses in English: Present Continuous, Simple Present, 'Be Going to' + verb, and 'Will' + verb. She explains how each is used in different contexts, such as near-future plans, scheduled events, predictions based on evidence, and distant future or promises. With clear examples, Emma shows how the Present Continuous is used for imminent actions, the Simple Present for routines and timetables, 'Be Going to' for plans with evidence, and 'Will' for uncertain predictions and offers. This lesson offers practical insights into choosing the right tense for various future contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Present continuous can be used to talk about future events that are very soon, like plans for the weekend or tonight.
• 😀 The simple present is used for scheduled or routine events in the future, such as timetables and transportation.
• 😀 'Be going to' is used for near-future plans and predictions with evidence, showing a higher level of certainty.
• 😀 'Will' is used for far-future predictions, promises, and volunteering to do something, even when there's uncertainty.
• 😀 Present continuous involves the structure 'be' + verb + -ing (e.g., 'I am studying').
• 😀 The simple present structure involves the basic form of the verb (e.g., 'I leave', 'he leaves') and is used for scheduled events.
• 😀 'Be going to' is often used for plans that are likely to happen, based on existing evidence or certainty (e.g., 'It’s going to rain').
• 😀 'Will' is used for predictions with little evidence, like saying 'Aliens will invade Earth,' or for making promises ('I will help you').
• 😀 When making promises or New Year’s resolutions, 'will' is commonly used (e.g., 'I will never drink again').
• 😀 The lesson highlights that while 'will' is more uncertain, 'be going to' conveys certainty based on evidence, making it a stronger prediction.

Q & A

What are the four future tenses in English covered in the video?

The four future tenses discussed in the video are: Present Continuous Future, Simple Present Future, 'Be Going To' + Verb Future, and 'Will' + Verb Future.

How is the Present Continuous Future used in English?

The Present Continuous Future is used to talk about events that are going to happen very soon, usually within the next few days. It involves using the verb 'to be' (am/are/is) + verb-ing, such as 'I am studying tonight.'

What makes the Simple Present Future different from the other future tenses?

The Simple Present Future is used for scheduled events or routines in the future, such as timetables or regular occurrences. For example, 'The train leaves at 6 pm.'

When do we use 'Be Going To' + verb to talk about the future?

'Be Going To' + verb is used for near-future plans or predictions based on evidence. For example, 'I’m going to study in Canada next month.' This construction indicates a high level of certainty or planning.

How does 'Will' + verb differ from 'Be Going To' in expressing future events?

'Will' is used for predictions that are less certain or based on intuition, promises, or voluntary actions. For example, 'I will study hard,' whereas 'Be Going To' is used for events that are more certain and based on evidence, like 'It’s going to rain soon.'

Can the Present Continuous Future be used for long-term future events?

No, the Present Continuous Future is typically used for near-future events that are going to happen soon, such as within the next few days, not long-term or distant future events.

What types of events are best described with the Simple Present Future?

The Simple Present Future is best used for routine events, schedules, or timetables, such as train departures, TV show schedules, or store hours, like 'The restaurant opens at 5 pm.'

How does the Simple Present Future relate to timetables and schedules?

The Simple Present Future is used when referring to scheduled events, like public transportation (e.g., 'The train leaves at 6 pm'), or regular occurrences such as store hours or TV program times.

Why do we use 'Will' to make promises in English?

'Will' is used to make promises because it indicates a commitment to do something in the future, such as 'I will study harder' or 'I will marry you.'

When is 'Will' used for volunteering or offering help?

'Will' is used when volunteering or offering to help someone, as in 'I’ll clean the dishes' or 'I’ll help you with your homework.'