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English Future Tenses, Conditionals and Useful Expressions

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Will / Won't (Will + infinitive)

Will + infinitive (without to)

Affirmative / Negative

  • Affirmative: They will go — They'll go
  • Negative: They will not go — They won't go

Interrogative / Short answers

Interrogative: Will I / you / he / she / they / we go?

Short answers: Yes, S will. / No, S won't.

Why?

  • For predictions based on what we believe or imagine.
  • For on-the-spot decisions.
  • For promises or threats.

Be going to

Be + going to

Affirmative / Negative

  • I am / I am not
  • He / She / It is / is not — going to leave
  • We / You / They are / are not

Interrogative / Short answers

  • Interrogative: Am I going to ... ? / Is he / she / it going to ... ? / Are we / you / they going to ... ?
  • Short answers: Yes, I am / No, I'm not. — Yes, she is / No, he isn't. — Yes, we are / No, they aren't.

Why?

  • To talk about future plans and intentions.
  • To make predictions based on what we can see (evidence).

Present Continuous for Future

I am / He is / They are + verb -ING

  • Used for fixed arrangements in the future.

Conditionals

0: Zero Conditional — General truth

If you boil water, it creates steam.

If-clause and Main clause (general form)

If-clause (hypothesis): If / When + Present Simple

Main clause (result): Present Simple

Example: When you mix red & white, you get pink.

1: First Conditional — Real present / future

If-clause: If + Present Simple

Main clause: Will + infinitive (without 'to'), imperative, or modals (can / may)

Examples:

  • If he’s late, we’ll go without him.
  • If you don't feel well, call the doctor.
  • If I finish work early, we may go to the cinema.

2: Second Conditional — Unreal present

If-clause: If + Past Simple

Main clause: Would / could / might + infinitive (without 'to')

Examples:

  • If I were you, I would tell her the truth.
  • If I had more free time, I would take up a hobby.

Imaginary situation

If I had a good voice, I would become a singer. (I don't have a good voice.)

Advice

If I were you, I would take the tickets online.

Notes about UNLESS

Notes:

  • Use unless instead of if...not in the If-clause of type 1 conditionals.
  • The verb after unless is always affirmative. Example: Unless she gets here soon, we'll start the meeting without her.

Asking for Suggestions

  • What do you think?
  • Can you suggest something?
  • Can you help me think of a way to ... ?
  • Don't you think ... ? / Do you think ... ?

Making Suggestions

  • How about ... ?
  • Why don't we / you ... ?
  • I suggest ...
  • You / We could ...
  • Let's ...

Agreeing

  • Yes, I agree.
  • That's a great idea!
  • I think you're right.
  • That's right!
  • Certainly!

Disagreeing

  • No, I disagree. / I don't agree.
  • That's a terrible idea.
  • I think you're wrong.
  • That's not right.
  • Certainly not!

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