Talking about the future

When we know about the future, we normally use the present tense.

1. We use the present simple for something scheduled:

We have a lesson next Monday.
The train arrives at 6.30 in the morning.
The holidays start next week.
It**'s** my birthday tomorrow.

1. We can use the present continuous for plans or arrangements:

I**'m playing** football tomorrow.
They are coming to see us tomorrow.
We**'re having** a party at Christmas.

1. We use will:

when we express beliefs about the future:

It will be a nice day tomorrow.
I think Brazil will win the World Cup.
I’m sure you will enjoy the film.

to mean want to or be willing to:

I hope you will come to my party.
George says he will help us.

to make offers and promises :

I**'ll** see you tomorrow.
We**'ll send** you an email.

to talk about offers and promises:

Tim will be at the meeting.
Mary will help with the cooking.

1. We use** be going to**:

to talk about plans or intentions:

I**'m going to** drive to work today.
They are going to move to Manchester.

to make predictions based on evidence we can see:

Be careful!** You are going to fall**. (= I can see that you might fall.)
Look at those black clouds. I think** it’s going to rai**n. (= I can see that it will rain.)

1. We use** will be with an -ing form** for something happening before and after a specific time in the future:

I**'ll be working at eight o’clock**. Can you come later?
They**'ll be waiting** for you when you arrive.

1. We can use** will be with an -ing form** instead of the present continuous or be going to when we are talking about plans, arrangements and intentions:

They**'ll be coming** to see us next week.
I**'ll be driving** to work tomorrow.