Future Time Reference

In the English language there are several structures and tenses to talk about the future.

Present Simple Tense 

The present simple tense is used to talk about the events which are planned or scheduled. 

Example:

• The president leaves for Australia tomorrow.
• Tomorrow is Sunday.
• The train starts at 8 pm tonight.

Present Continuous

The present continuous tense is used to talk about a planned action to be performed in the future.

Normally we use the present continuous to talk about action happening in the present, but if we add a future word or expression, such as tomorrow, next month or next year, we can use it to talk about the future. 

For example:

• We're leaving for Shimla tomorrow.
• We are having a meeting in the evening.
• We are painting the house next month.
• She is coming to meet me next week.

Going to…

The “going to” expression is used to refer to a tentative action in the near future time.

• Hurry! You are going to miss the bus.
• She is going to be late for the meeting
• Ria is not going to be very happy about all this mess. 

Future Tense

Simple Future Tense - 

Simple future tense is used to talk about future facts, instructions and  promises.

For example:

• Nancy will join this office tomorrow.

Future Continuous Tense

Future continuous tense is used for  an action in progress at a certain time in the future/tentative plans.

For example:

• My friends and I will  be going to the hills on Sunday.

Future Perfect Tense -

Future perfect tense is used for  an action or a state that will be over by a certain time in the future.

For example:

• I will have completed four years in this organization next year.

Future Perfect Continuous

  Future perfect continuous is used for an action in progress from past till future.

• I will have been working in this organization for four years next month.

Watch the video to know about more ways to talk about future time.