English grammar
Future Forms
English has no single future tense. Instead it uses several forms depending on whether you're expressing a prediction, a plan, a decision, or a scheduled event.
Textbook Future Forms
The standard forms taught in English courses worldwide, illustrated with real clips from native speakers, not invented examples.
Will - Predictions & Decisions
Subject + will + base verb
Used for spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises, and offers. "I'll call you back." The most versatile future form and the first one most learners encounter.
Going To - Plans & Intentions
Subject + am/is/are going to + base verb
Used for plans already decided before the moment of speaking, and for predictions based on present evidence. "It's going to rain: look at those clouds."
Future Continuous
Subject + will be + verb-ing
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future moment, or for politely asking about someone's plans. "I'll be working all day tomorrow."
Gonna / Wanna / Gotta
going to → gonna | want to → wanna | got to → gotta
Informal contractions of going to, want to, and got to. These are spoken forms, and native speakers use them constantly but rarely write them in formal contexts. "I'm gonna call her." "Do you wanna come?" "We gotta leave now." Essential for sounding natural in conversation.
Future in the Past
was/were going to + base verb | would + base verb
Used to talk about a future event as seen from a past moment. "I was going to call, but I forgot." "He said he would come." Signals the event was planned or expected in the past, whether it happened or not.