Future Simple & Future Continuous | English Tenses | will? be going to? will be going?

Summary

In this lesson, Arnel teaches the future simple and continuous tenses, covering their uses in facts, predictions, plans, and more. He explains the grammatical structures, including 'will' and 'be going to,' and provides examples. The video distinguishes between formal and informal contexts, and when to use each tense. It also clarifies the incorrect use of stative verbs in continuous tenses and provides practical examples for better understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Future Simple is formed with 'will' + base verb or 'be going to' + base verb, and it's used for facts, predictions, probability, plans, spontaneity, promises, and habits.
• 📚 The base form of verbs (bare infinitive) is used with 'will' and 'be going to' in the future simple tense.
• 🚫 Avoid using 'to' after 'will', and remember that the verb form doesn't change with different subjects.
• ⏰ Future Continuous is structured as 'will be' + verb-ing and is used to describe actions in progress at a specific time in the future.
• 🌞 Use 'will' for stating facts that are definite and cannot be changed, like the sun setting or a road being closed.
• 🌌 Use 'will' for predictions based on scientific knowledge, such as humans living on Mars or advancements in health technology.
• 🤔 Use 'will' with adverbs like 'maybe', 'possibly', or 'definitely' to express different degrees of probability about future events.
• 🏁 Use 'be going to' for less formal predictions based on current observations, like the weather or the outcome of a race.
• 📅 'Be going to' is commonly used for expressing plans, which are organized and chosen actions one intends to do in the future.
• 🎯 The future continuous tense is appropriate for talking about actions that will be ongoing at a certain time in the future, emphasizing the continuity of the action.
• 🚫 Stative verbs, which describe states of being or unchanging conditions, should not be used in continuous tenses.

Q & A

What are the two forms of future simple tense mentioned in the script?

The two forms of future simple tense mentioned are 'will' and 'be going to'.

What is a common mistake to avoid when using 'will' in the future simple tense?

A common mistake is using 'to' after 'will', such as saying 'I will to be five minutes late' instead of 'I will be five minutes late'.

How do you form the negative of the future simple tense with 'will'?

The negative form is made by adding 'not' after 'will', like 'I will not be five minutes late'.

What is the structure for forming questions in the future simple tense with 'will'?

The question form is made by placing 'will' before the subject and then the base verb, like 'Will you be five minutes late?'.

How is the future continuous tense structured grammatically?

The future continuous tense is structured as 'subject + will + be + verb-ing'.

What is the difference between using 'will' and 'be going to' for predictions?

While both 'will' and 'be going to' can be used for predictions, 'be going to' is less formal and 'will' is more formal and often seen in writing.

How can you express future probability using the future simple tense?

You can use words like 'I'm sure', 'definitely', 'I think', 'maybe', 'I guess' with 'will' to express different levels of certainty about future events.

What is an example of a spontaneous action described in the script?

An example of a spontaneous action is deciding to send a message to Julie without prior planning.

Why is 'be going to' preferred over 'will' when talking about plans?

Using 'be going to' for plans is more natural and it indicates that the action is prearranged or chosen.

What is an example of a future fact given in the script?

An example of a future fact is 'The sun will set at 9:46 pm tonight, and will rise at 4:44 am tomorrow.'

How does the script differentiate between the future simple and future continuous tenses?

The future simple tense is used for facts, predictions, plans, etc., while the future continuous tense is used to express actions in progress at a specific time in the future.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Future Tenses

Arnel introduces the lesson on future simple and continuous tenses, highlighting 14 key points. He encourages viewers to provide examples in the comments and explains the grammatical structures for future simple using 'will' and 'be going to'. Arnel clarifies common mistakes, such as not using 'to' after 'will', and the importance of using the base form of verbs. He contrasts 'will' for facts and predictions with 'be going to' for less formal, planned actions.

05:05

🌌 Future Predictions and Facts

The paragraph discusses the use of future simple tense for predictions and facts. Arnel explains the difference between 'will' and 'be going to', noting that 'will' is more formal and often used in writing, while 'be going to' is less formal but also correct. He provides examples from SpaceX's website to illustrate the interchangeable use of these tenses. Arnel also covers future probability, using modal verbs like 'sure', 'maybe', and 'I think' with 'will' to express different levels of certainty about future events.

10:08

🚀 Future Plans and Spontaneity

Arnel covers the use of future simple tense for plans and spontaneous actions. He emphasizes that 'be going to' is used for planned actions, while 'will' is for spontaneous decisions made in the moment. Examples include visiting family, teaching, assembling furniture, and sending messages. Arnel also touches on the use of present continuous for future plans and the concept of making promises using 'will'.

15:13

⏳ Future Continuous and Stative Verbs

This section introduces the future continuous tense, structured as subject + will + be + verb-ing. Arnel explains that this tense is used to describe actions in progress at a specific time in the future. He contrasts this with the present continuous and future simple tenses, and provides examples such as working, sleeping, and volunteering. Arnel also explains that stative verbs, which describe states of being, are not used in continuous tenses.

20:15

🎵 Future Continuous in Questions and Assumptions

Arnel discusses the use of future continuous tense in formal and polite questions, as well as when assuming an action is happening. He illustrates this with examples from a song by Adele and a traditional American folk song. The paragraph also covers the use of 'still' with future continuous to indicate a present action continuing into the future. Arnel concludes by encouraging viewers to review the material and engage with the content in the comments.

Keywords

💡Future Simple

The Future Simple tense is used to describe actions or events that will happen in the future. It is formed with 'will' followed by the base form of the verb. In the video, Arnel explains that it can be used for facts, predictions, probability, plans, spontaneity, promises, and habits. For example, 'I will be five minutes late' illustrates a future action.

💡Future Continuous

The Future Continuous tense is used to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It is formed with 'will be' followed by the verb in the -ing form. The video script mentions its use for actions in progress, like 'I'll be sleeping' to indicate that the speaker will be in the middle of sleeping at a certain time.

💡Bare Infinitive

The bare infinitive is the basic form of a verb, without any additional endings, like 'do', 'play', 'go'. In the script, Arnel uses the term to explain the structure of the Future Simple tense, stating that 'will' is followed by the bare infinitive, as in 'I will go'.

💡Passive Voice

The passive voice is used to make the object of the action the subject of the sentence. In the script, Arnel briefly mentions the Future Simple Passive, 'Drugs for all types of cancer will be developed', indicating that the drugs are the recipients of the action 'develop'.

💡Prediction

A prediction is a statement about something that is expected to happen in the future, often based on current evidence. Arnel discusses predictions in the context of Future Simple, using examples like 'In 100 years humans will live on Mars'.

💡Probability

Probability refers to the likelihood of something happening. The script uses 'will' with adverbs like 'sure', 'definitely', 'maybe', to express different degrees of probability, as in 'I'm sure she'll love it'.

💡Spontaneous

Spontaneous actions are those that are done without prior planning or intention. Arnel gives the example 'I'll send her a message' to illustrate a spontaneous decision made in the moment.

💡Promise

A promise is a commitment to do or not do something. In the video, Arnel uses the Future Simple to express promises, such as 'I promise I'll have the report on your desk by 5 pm'.

💡Habit

A habit is a regular practice or routine. The script contrasts the Future Simple with the Present Simple for habits, with Arnel noting that 'He'll drink tea from time to time' suggests a possible future action, whereas 'He drinks tea from time to time' is a current habit.

💡Stative Verb

Stative verbs express states or conditions rather than actions. Arnel explains that stative verbs are not used in continuous tenses, as they describe unchanging states, such as 'love', 'believe', or 'agree'.

💡Temporary

Temporary actions are those that last for a limited time. The video contrasts temporary actions, which are suitable for continuous tenses, with permanent actions. Arnel says, 'most continuous tenses are temporary actions', like 'I'll be working', indicating a limited duration.

Highlights

Introduction to future simple and future continuous tenses

Summary of 14 key points to be covered in the lesson

Invitation for viewers to provide examples in the comments

Explanation of future simple using 'will' and 'be going to'

Correct grammatical structure for future simple

Common mistake of using 'to' after 'will' is clarified

Formation of negative and question forms for future simple

Difference between 'will' and 'be going to' in formal and informal contexts

Use of future simple for predictions based on science

Examples of future simple passive voice in predictions

Clarification on the interchangeable use of 'will' and 'be going to'

Explanation of future probability using 'will'

Use of 'be going to' for predictions based on current observations

Examples of future plans using 'will' and 'be going to'

Difference between spontaneous actions and plans

Use of future simple for promises

Explanation of future continuous tense structure

Use of future continuous for actions in progress at a specific future time

Mistake of using stative verbs in continuous tenses

Examples of future continuous in questions and polite requests

Use of future continuous with 'still' for ongoing actions

Assumption of current actions using future continuous

Encouragement to review and engage with the material

Transcripts

Hi everyone! I'm Arnel, and today we're gonna  learn the future simple, and the future continuous.  

There is a lot of information in today's lesson.  So, I made a summary for you. A summary of the 14  

points we're going to look at today. Yes, 14. This  summary will come up at the end of the lesson,  

and can you please give me one example of  one of the points in the comments below.  

Give me the number and your example,  I can't wait to read them. Let's start.  

Future simple. I have will and be going to.  I also have facts, predictions, probability,  

plans, being spontaneous, promises, and habits.  We do need to look at all of these in detail.  

Because if you can clearly understand the future  simple. The future continuous is so much easier  

to learn. Before we look at these uses, we  need to look at the grammatical structures.  

I have will and be going to. Subject, will and  the base form. The base form is also called the  

bear infinitive. Like: Do, play, go, eat, be. I will be five  minutes late, you will be five minutes late, he will  

be five minutes late. Etc... Common mistake: We do not  use to, after will. I will to be five minutes late?  

Never. Also, even if your subject is: He,  she, or it. The verbs always stay the same.  

He wills be five minutes late? No. He will is  five minutes late? No. Negative, subject: Will  

not plus base verb. I will not be five minutes late.

Questions: Will, subject, base verb. Will  you be five minutes late? With, be going to,  

things change a little bit. Subject, be, and depending  on your subject, you need to change be. Going to  

and then that bare infinitive. I'm going  to make pancakes tonight. She is going to  

make pancakes tonight. They are going to make  pancakes tonight. What's the negative? Subject,  

be, not going to, plus base verb. They  are not going to make pancakes tonight.

What's the question form? Be, subject, going to,  base verb. Is she going to make pancakes tonight? 

Grammatical structures done!  

Number one: Future facts. A fact is something  that is definite, you cannot change a fact.

The sun will set at 9:46 pm tonight, and will  rise at 4:44 am tomorrow. This is a fact, I cannot  

change it. Road will be closed from January 30th, to  February 22nd. Okay, but if something isn't definite,  

it's a prediction. A prediction is something we  think will happen in the future. Not just what we  

think, predictions are often based on science. What  kind of science-based topics can you read about?  

Space, nature, ai (artificial intelligence), health...

In 100 years humans will live on mars. Earth won't  be the only planet to sustain human life. Will  

earth exist in a hundred years? Farmers will spend  more time indoors with the help of robotic farming.

Drugs for all types of cancer will be developed.

Okay, I have my example sentences here. You  can see will, plus that bare infinitive.  

In my last example, why are there two verbs? Will  and, then be, and developed. Developed past simple.  

This is still the future simple, but it's  future simple passive, it's the passive voice.  

And you don't need to know the  passive grammar to understand today's  

lesson. I have a video on the passive  voice, I'll put it down below for you.

Yes, we can also use be going to, to predict the  future. So what's the difference, will or, be going  

to? Be going to, is less formal but also perfectly  correct. Will is more formal and usually seen  

in writing, but many times people do use these  two interchangeably. I have an example of that:  

I went to spacex.com, as many of you  know is one of elon musk's companies,  

and I was so happy to see  this quote on their website:

You want to wake up in the morning and think  the future is going to be great. It's about  

believing in the future, and thinking that  the future will be better than the past.  

You can see be going to and will, in the  same quote. Because variety is always natural.  

But as a general rule, will is  more formal and common in writing.  

Three, future probability. Future probability, what  does that mean? Probability means how certain we  

are something will happen. It's kind of like a  prediction. I have 100% certain and then, 0% certain.  

I'm sure, definitely. I think, maybe. I guess.

We can use these words here with  will to express future probability.

Do you think Amy will like this gift I bought  her? I'm sure she'll love it. Think, plus will,  

I'm sure, plus will. The client is refusing  to pay, she owes us fifteen hundred dollars.  

Owes means, needs to give, she needs  to give us fifteen hundred dollars.

Maybe she'll agree to paying  in installments? Maybe, she'll.  

And, pay in installments, is such a great little  phrase. This means you don't pay everything at once,  

you pay smaller pieces over time. So  for example, this client could pay

300 dollars...

over five months.

But there are some predictions  we make where will is not correct.  

Predictions based on what we see, or feel, in  the moment. Let's look at a classic example:

It's going to rain. In informal spoken English  we could say, it's gonna, it's gonna rain.  

What do I see now? Maybe I see dark clouds.  That's how I can make my prediction.  

Or sometimes you can feel it's going to  rain, right? There's that feeling in the air.

Horse number 12, is going to win. What do  I see? I see horse number 12 in the lead.  

Or, if you're watching the race you could  say: Horse number 12 isn't gonna win! Look,  

horse number six is catching up. These  are predictions based on what we see.

Okay, what do you think is gonna happen?

I think she's gonna fall.

Ah ha! I was correct!

Okay, next clip. This is a mini clip from one of  my favorite movies of all time, The Lion King.  

In this clip, the warthog is  being chased by a hungry lion.

Hey, what's going on? She's gonna eat me!

Okay, what's going on? What's going on means,  what is happening. And here we see, what is  

going, that's not the future simple. How do  we know that? There's no verb after going,  

this is just the present continuous. What's  going on? She's gonna eat me! What do we see?  

A hungry lion. It would be very unnatural  for this character to say, she will eat me.

Let's move on to, plans. A plan is something  you have chosen to do and organized.  

Next week I will visit my sister.  Tomorrow I will teach the passive voice.

My husband and I will spend the weekend  assembling furniture. Assemble means, put  

together. Sometimes you need  to assemble furniture, right?

Are these facts? No. Are these predictions?  No. Am I talking about probability? No.

We use going to, be going to, for plans. Not  will. Next week I'm going to visit my sister.  

Tomorrow I'm going to teach the passive  voice. My husband and I are going to spend  

the weekend assembling furniture. Again, it is  unnatural to use will, when we're making plans.

Mini note: With the future simple and the future  continuous, the specific time like: tomorrow,  

next week, in 100 years, is good to  have - but it's not always necessary.  

Scientists will never find a cure for cancer.  Yes they will! Okay, the same goes for past  

plans. We were, past, we were going to  go to the beach, but it started to rain.

I know some of you grammar lovers are thinking:  Can we use present continuous for future plans?  

Yes you can, but in today's lesson I really want  to focus on the future tenses. I do have a video  

on the present simple and present continuous,  and in this lesson I discuss the future as well.

Arnel, do you want to take a five minute break?

I'll take one later. But i made you a coffee!

I'll drink it later. Okay, I'll  take it later, I'll drink it later.  

We use will when we're being spontaneous. What  does spontaneous mean? Spontaneous is a great  

adjective, it means we do or think something  in the moment. Do we have time to plan?  

No. Do we have time to prepare?  No. Conversations are spontaneous.

Where's Julie? She should be here. I  don't know, I'll send her a message.  

I'll send her a message. Did I plan  to say this? No, it's spontaneous.

See you later Anne, yeah I'll see you later. I'll  see you later. Number seven. Number seven, promises.  

And if you feel like there's a lot of  information and if you feel overwhelmed,  

That's what my summary is for. Answer  the points in my summary to help you,  

leave me a comment with your example. Promises.  Okay, let's watch this little clip here:

Promise you'll never forget about me.

Yes.

Of course.

Okay, promise me you will never forget  about me. I will always love you.  

Promises don't need to be this dramatic.  We make little promises every day don't we?  

I won't forget to pick up milk on the way home.  I will have the report on your desk by 5 pm,  

I promise. Okay, last point for  the future simple - last point.

Does your husband like tea? He'll  drink tea from time to time.  

It's clear I don't mean, he will drink tea in the  future. This is something he could do regularly.  

So what's the difference? He'll drink tea from time  to time, and, he drinks tea from time to time? Many  

times these two are used interchangeably, they're  both correct. But in my opinion, the present simple  

is a better choice for things you do routinely.  I wake up at 6:30 every morning. My dog barks  

whenever someone walks by our front door.  Will is more a possibility of a routine.

Summer in the UK is beautiful. It'll rain - it'll,  it'll. It'll rain most of the year, but I always  

look forward to summer. And little fact about  me, I actually live in the UK, but I'm American.  

It's time to move on to the future continuous.  

Future continuous. Subject, will, be, verb, ing.  And again, this structure stays the same for  

every subject. We use the future continuous to  express an action in progress in the future.  

What does that mean? Let's compare this with  the present continuous, present continuous.  

Now, I am talking to you. Now, you are watching  a YouTube lesson. Is the start of the action  

important? No. Is the end of the action  important? No. Is this action permanent?  

No, it's temporary. So what's important? The  action is in progress, that's what's important.  

I want you to take this feeling  and just move it to the future.

Can I come to your house tomorrow  morning? Sorry, I'll be working.

Okay, what about 9:00 pm? 9 pm? I'll be sleeping!  Seriously, I go to bed really early, I'll be  

sleeping. So is the start of the action important?  No. Is the end of the action important? No. Is the  

action permanent? No, it's temporary. So what's  important? The action is in progress, that action  

is important, because it's my excuse. Let's compare  this to the future simple. I will work all morning.  

Am I talking about a fact, a prediction, or  probability? No. Am I making a promise? No. Am I being  

spontaneous? No. Am I talking about present habits?  No. So here, that future continuous really is the  

best choice. Next week I'll be volunteering at an  animal shelter. We can't go skiing because it won't  

be snowing. And yes, you can have two actions happening at the same time.  

During the luncheon, I will be working at the  buffet and Moira will be working at the bar.  

A luncheon is like a fancy lunch event.

In the meeting we will be agreeing with each other.

Why doesn't that work? Why is that  not correct? Agree is a stative verb.

A stative verb is a verb used to describe our  thoughts, emotions, feelings. Like love, hate,  

believe, remember, agree. Verb is like that. We  do not use stative verbs in continuous tenses.  

Of course there are always exceptions. But as a  general rule, don't use stated verbs in continuous  

tenses. I have a lesson on stative verbs if you  want to study them in more detail. So, for this  

part of the lesson, future continuous, I do not  use any stative verbs because they're not correct.

Remember about a minute ago I said: Is this action  permanent? No, it's temporary. Okay, most continuous  

tenses are temporary actions. Like the future  continuous, it's a temporary action. But if we use  

the negative future continuous, with again,  this means never again - which is permanent.

Joe was such a rude guest, I won't  be inviting him to my house again.  

I could say I won't be inviting him to  my house ever again, to be more emphatic.  

The service at that restaurant was appalling.  I won't be eating there again - never again.  

And appalling is a great adjective  it means very bad. Appalling!

Number 11. We're almost done, we're on number 11.

When we ask a question in the future continuous,  it's a very formal and polite question.  

Will you be bringing anyone to the dinner  tonight? How long will you be staying in town?  

For number 12, let's look at a song by Adele. I'll  be waiting - we can see the future continuous, there.  

There's one line in the song that's  repeated again and again. I'll be waiting  

for you when you're ready to love me again. Future  continuous, when. Present simple, an interruption.

Everyone will be eating when you arrive. I'll be  leaving work when the game starts, so I'll probably  

miss the first half. Future continuous, when. Present  simple interruption - then we have that probability  

with, will. I want to end point number 12  with a traditional American folk song. Maybe  

you know it? She'll be coming round the mountain  when she comes. She'll be coming around the  

mountain when she comes. She'll be coming round  the mountain. Coming around the mountain. She'll  

be coming around the mountain when she comes.  She'll be driving six white horses when she comes.  

she'll be driving white horses... So, why is she  on a mountain? I don't know. Why does she need  

six white horses? I don't know. But this  song really demonstrates that grammar.  

Okay, if a present action will continue in the  future, we can use future continuous with - still.  

Now I'm working on my essay. I  will still be working on my essay  

later tonight. Present action continues  into the future. The baby is sleeping. She  

will still be sleeping when you come home  later. Okay, last point 14. Amazing, great job!

We can use the future continuous to speak  about an action we assume is happening now.  

What does assume mean? Assume means you think  something is happening, you strongly think,  

but you're not sure. Maybe you're 99% sure.  You can't call Ryan, he'll be driving.  

Do I know for certain if he's driving? No , but I assume that's what he's doing now.  

If I use a present continuous, he is driving,  that's definite. I know exactly what he's doing,  

it's not an assumption. Assumption is the noun,  assume is the verb. Where are Alice and Chloe? Oh,  

if the kids aren't in the yard, they'll be playing  in their bedroom. I assume that's where they are.  

Okay, so if you learned one new thing about the  future today, I am happy. Try to answer all these  

questions, all these points in my summary. Give me  a comment down below. Or you can just write your  

answers in a notebook. Do something to review.  Thank you so much for watching, I can't wait to  

read your comments, and I can't wait to make  another video for you. See you next time, bye!!!