Future Tenses and Conditionals: Structure and Usage

Mastering Advanced Future Tenses

Future Continuous Tense

We use the Future Continuous to talk about an action that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Example: This time tomorrow, I'll be flying to Greece.

Structure:

Subject + will be + -ing form

Future Perfect Simple Tense

We use the Future Perfect Simple to talk about an action completed before a certain time in the future.

Example: By 3 p.m. tomorrow, I'll have arrived in Greece.

Structure:

Subject + will have + past participle

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to say how long an action will have been in progress at a certain time in the future.

Example: By next Saturday, I'll have been travelling around Greece for a week.

Structure:

Subject + will have been + -ing form

Understanding Conditional Sentences

First Conditional Sentences

We use the First Conditional to talk about probable events and their results. We form conditionals with an if clause and a result clause. In the if clause, we use a present tense. In the result clause, we can use any future form or imperative.

Example: If you take this medicine, you'll feel well.

Common First Conditional Structures:

• If + Present Simple + Will: If I get my wages soon, I'll buy the concert tickets.
• If + Present Continuous + Present Continuous: If Anna's not going to the game, I'm not going either.
• If + Present Simple + Future Perfect: If we keep driving, we'll have got nearly there by midday.
• If + Present Perfect + Imperative: If you haven't finished cleaning the apartment before you go to work, finish it after you get home.

Second Conditional Sentences

The Second Conditional is used to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the present or future and their possible results.

Example: I can't come with you on the demonstration. But if I didn't have football practice, I'd come with you.

Structure:

If clause (If + Past Simple) + Result clause (would + base verb)

Third Conditional Sentences

The Third Conditional is used to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the past that are the opposite of what really happened.

Example: If you had told me about the demonstration, I would have cancelled football practice.

Structure:

If clause (If + Past Perfect) + Result clause (would have + past participle)

Using Modal Verbs in Conditionals

We can use the modal verbs might or could instead of would in conditional sentences:

• He might not have got hurt if he had been more careful.
• If you practised every day, you could become a good singer.