English Learner

Tags: BBC, future, tenses, verbs

Different ways of talking about the future.

will for statements about the future, for predictions about the future, and for instant decisions made at the time of speaking.
be going to for present situations that extend into the future, for predictions based on present, physical evidence, and for plans.
on the verge/brink of for events that are going to happen very soon.
be about to for events that will happen in the near future.
be sure/bound to for events we are confident will happen.
be to for talking about the future in formal way.
be due to for scheduled events.
present simple for timetabled future events.
present continuous for arrangements.
future continuous for activities which are in progress at a future time.
future perfect for actions completed before a specific future time.
normal verbs with a future meaning like hope, plan, aim, intend, arrange, decide, etc.