Spontaneous decisions, predictions
Plans, intentions, evidence-based predictions
Fixed arrangements, scheduled events
Actions in progress at a future time
Completed actions before a future time
Duration up to a future point
Select a future tense above to see examples and timeline visualization
Spontaneous decision: I'll help you with that.
Prediction: I think it will rain tomorrow.
Promise: I will call you later.
Used for decisions made at the moment of speaking, general predictions, promises, and offers.
Plan/Intention: I am going to buy a new car next month.
Evidence-based prediction: Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
Used for plans decided before the moment of speaking and predictions based on present evidence.
Arrangement: I am meeting John at 6 pm.
Scheduled event: Our train is leaving at 9:30 tomorrow.
Used for fixed arrangements and scheduled events in the near future.
Action in progress: This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris.
Polite inquiry: Will you be using the car tonight?
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
Completed before future time: By next month, I will have finished my thesis.
Expected completion: She will have graduated by the time we visit.
Used for actions that will be completed before a certain point in the future.
Duration up to future point: By December, I will have been working here for ten years.
Continuous action: When you arrive, I will have been waiting for two hours.
Used to emphasize the duration of an action up to a specific point in the future.