B2 future forms: will, going to, and beyond
B2 future forms include will, be going to, the present continuous and present simple for the future, plus the future continuous (I'll be working), the future perfect (I'll have finished) and phrases like be about to and be likely to. Each one shows a different attitude to the future. This guide is part of our B2 grammar guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
Choosing a future form
English has no single "future tense". Instead, you choose a form that shows how you see the future event: a decision, a plan, an arrangement, a prediction or a timetable. At B1 most learners use will and going to. At B2 you should also control the future continuous, the future perfect and a set of useful phrases.
- will: decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers, promises and predictions based on opinion: I'll get the door. I think Spain will win.
- be going to: plans and intentions already decided, and predictions based on present evidence: I'm going to apply for that job. Look at that sky; it's going to pour.
- Present continuous: fixed arrangements, usually with a time and other people: We're meeting the landlord at five.
- Present simple: timetables and schedules: The exhibition opens on 3 May.
- Future continuous (will be + -ing): an action in progress at a future time: This time tomorrow I'll be lying on a beach.
- Future perfect (will have + past participle): an action completed before a future time: By June, I'll have saved enough for a laptop.
Future forms in the exam
In key word transformations, future forms often appear with phrases such as be likely to, be due to, be about to and by the time. In the open cloze, will, be, going and have (in will have done) are typical answers. In a formal email or report you can use I will be arriving on… to sound polite and organised.
Future forms connect with other grammar points too. After if, when, as soon as and unless we use a present tense, not will (see conditionals). When you report a future statement, will becomes would (see reported speech). And going to has a past form, was going to, for plans that changed, which is useful in stories (see narrative tenses).
Future forms: form and use
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| will + infinitive: decisions, offers, promises, opinions |
|
| be going to: plans and evidence |
|
| Present continuous and present simple |
|
| Future continuous: will be + -ing |
|
| Future perfect: will have + past participle |
|
| Other ways to talk about the future |
|
Typical B1 to B2 mistakes with future forms
Trap: When I will finish university, I will travel. Polish, Greek and Italian all use a future form after when.
Fix: After time words (when, as soon as, before, after, until), use a present tense: When I finish university, I'll travel.
Trap: I open the window for you? Spanish ¿te abro la ventana? and Italian ti apro? use the present for offers.
Fix: For offers and suggestions, use Shall I…? or I'll…: Shall I open the window?
Trap: Tomorrow I go to the dentist. German Morgen gehe ich uses the present for plans.
Fix: For a personal arrangement, use the present continuous: Tomorrow I'm going to the dentist. The present simple is for timetables.
Trap: I will meet my friends tonight when it is a fixed plan.
Fix: Will isn't wrong, but it sounds like a sudden decision. For an arrangement, I'm meeting my friends tonight is more natural.
Trap: By next year I will finish my degree.
Fix: With by + a future time, use the future perfect: By next year I will have finished my degree.
Worked example: future forms in key word transformations
The task
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
- The builders will probably finish the new sports hall in March.
LIKELY
The new sports hall ______ finished in March.
- The concert starts in a few seconds, so please sit down.
ABOUT
The concert ______, so please sit down.
- 1.
Item 1. Will probably means the same as is likely to. The subject has changed from the builders to the new sports hall, and finished is outside the gap, so the verb must be passive: is likely to be finished.
- 2.
Count: is + likely + to + be = 4 words. A common mistake is is likely to finish, which forgets the passive (the hall doesn't finish anything).
- 3.
Item 2. In a few seconds tells us the event is very near. With the key word ABOUT, use be about to + infinitive: is about to start.
- 4.
Count: is + about + to + start = 4 words. is about starting and will be about to start are both wrong.
Answer
- The new sports hall is likely to be finished in March.
- The concert is about to start, so please sit down.
Practice · Reading & Use of English Part 4
Key word transformations 1: Mixed grammar
B2 future forms: frequently asked questions
What future forms do you need for B2?
You need will, be going to, the present continuous and present simple for the future, the future continuous, the future perfect, and phrases such as be about to, be due to, be likely to and be bound to.
What is the difference between will and going to?
Use will for decisions made now, offers and promises, and opinion-based predictions. Use going to for plans you have already made and predictions based on what you can see: It's going to rain (there are dark clouds).
When do I use the future perfect?
Use it for something that will be complete before a point in the future, usually with by: By Friday I'll have read the whole book. It is common in key word transformations with by the time.
Can I use the present continuous for the future?
Yes, for arrangements that are fixed, usually with a time and with other people involved: I'm flying to Rome on Saturday. It is very common in everyday English and in informal emails.
Why can't I use will after when?
In English, time clauses with when, as soon as, before, after and until use a present tense for the future: I'll call you when I arrive. The main clause has will, the time clause doesn't.