Future Forms: Simple Present for Future Meaning
Introduction to Future Forms
There are several ways of expressing the future time in English (8 forms). The forms are listed below and will be dealt with in details in the order in which they are given here. Students should study them in this order, as otherwise the relationship between them will not be clear. It is worth to note here that instead of Future Tense we may talk about forms expressing future time. These eight forms are as follows:
1. The simple present for future actions
2. Will + infinitive, used for intention
3. The present continuous for future actions
4. The “be going to” form
5. The future simple “will/shall + infinitive”
6. The future continuous tense for future actions
7. The future perfect tense
8. The future perfect continuous tense
6. 1. Simple Present Tense Used for the Future
The simple present tense can also be used to talk about some future situations, but only in certain situations. For more details, see the following situations;
§ The simple present form is common to talk about future schedule when we are talking about events which are part of timetables, a regular schedule or something similar (impersonal). This situation can also be described with a time expression for a definite future arrangement using the present continuous if the action seems to be personal. See the examples below:
· The summer term starts on April 10. “Part of a timetable”
· The boys start school on Monday. “Regular schedule in which the simple present is not replaceable by the continuous since it is used for a habitual action.”
· I leave tonight.
· My plane leaves at three o’clock. “Three o’ clock is appoint of future time but it takes the simple present because the speaker has a firm knowledge about the departure of the plane at the present time. This situation explains well the connection between present and future and henceforth the simple present is used for future actions”
· The sun rises at 7.15 tomorrow.
· The second semester starts on the sixth April.
§ The simple present tense is often used instead of “will + infinitive” to refer to the future meaning in subordinate clauses. This happens not only after conjunctions of time like when, until, after, unless, before, as soon as, but in most other subordinate clauses for instance “after if, whether and on condition that, after question words and relatives, and in indirect speech.”
· I will write to her when I have time. See the examples below:
· I will tell what I find out.
· Alex will see us tomorrow if he has time.
· I’ll have a good time whether I win or lose.
· We’ll get there as soon as you do.
· I’ll be in all day unless the office phones.
· I’ll wait until she gets here.
§ Occasionally the simple present is used with a future instructions meaning when asking for and giving instructions and orders. See the examples below:
· Where do I pay?
· Well, what do we do? So when you gets to London you go straight to Victoria station, you meet us with the others, Rebecca gives you your tickets, and you catch the 17.30 train for Dover. Ok?
§ After “I bet” you, we often use a present tense to refer to the future.
· I bet you they don’t come this evening.
· I bet you the Conservatives lose. “Also will lose is possible”
§ A present tense with “for” refers to duration into the future. Compare:
· How long are you here for? “=until when…….?”
· How long have you been here for? “Since when…?”
§ After “I hope”, we often use a present tense with a future meaning. See the examples below:
· I hope she likes (=will like) the flowers.
· I hope the bus comes soon.
§ The structures “so that” and “in order that” are used to talk about purpose. Also verbs after them can be used in present tenses sometimes to express something in the future. See the examples below:
· I’ll send the letter express so that she gets /will get it before Tuesday.
· We must write to him, in order that he does not feel that we are hiding things.
§ “Suppose, supposing and what of” can all be used with present tenses to make suggestions about things that might happen in the future. See the examples below:
· I have not got a table cloth. Suppose we use a sheet.
· Let’s go swimming. Supposing there are sharks.
· What if we invite your mother next weekend and go away the week after.
Summary
Exercise 1
Direction: Put the verbs into the present continuous or the present simple.
§ Emma: Are you doing (you / do) anything tonight?
§ Matthew: Yes ….…1……….. (1 / go) to the station to meet my friend Richard. ………2………… (he / stay) here for the weekend, remember? His train …………3….......... (get) in at eight fifteen.
§ Emma: Oh, of course. I'd forgotten about that.
§ Matthew: Maybe we'll see you later. What …………4……….. (you / do) tonight?
§ Emma: Oh ……5………… (I / go) to the cinema with Vicky and Rachel and a couple of other people. The film…………6………… (finish) quite early, so ................7..................(we / go) to a pizza place afterwards.