The Future Simple is formed with will + base verb (e.g. will go, will arrive), and the negative is will not / won't + base verb. We use it for sudden decisions made at the moment of speaking — for example, "The phone is ringing — I'll get it!" It is also used for predictions based on opinion or belief, usually with phrases like I think, I believe, I hope, probably — for example, "I think electric cars will replace petrol cars by 2040." Finally, we use will for promises and offers, such as "Don't worry, I'll drive you to the station" or "I'll never be late again, I promise."
The Future Continuous is formed with will be + verb-ing (e.g. will be driving, will be waiting). Its primary use is to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future, much like the past and present continuous but shifted forward in time — for example, "At 7 AM tomorrow, I will be driving through the city centre." It can also be used for expected or routine future events — things that will happen as a natural part of a schedule — such as "Don't worry about the shopping; I will be passing the supermarket on my way home anyway." Notice that it often appears with time expressions like at this time tomorrow, this time next week, at 6 o'clock tonight to anchor the action to a specific future moment.
When we connect a future main clause to a time clause using conjunctions such as when, as soon as, before, after, until, by the time, once, we do not use will in the time clause — we use the Present Simple instead. For example: "I will call you when I arrive" — not "when I will arrive". The same rule applies to as soon as: "As soon as the traffic clears, we will set off." This rule also applies when using the Present Perfect in the time clause to show that one future action will be completed before another: "After you have signed the form, the clerk will process your application." Think of the time clause as describing when something happens — the future meaning is already clear from the context, so will is unnecessary and incorrect there.
We often use adverbs of probability with will to express how certain we are that something will happen in the future. The main adverbs, from most to least certain, are: certainly / definitely → probably → possibly / perhaps / maybe. For example: "We will definitely need more roads in this city." or "She will probably catch the earlier train." The adverb usually comes between will and the main verb (e.g. will probably take), but with maybe and perhaps it comes at the start of the sentence (e.g. "Maybe she will come."). You can also say someone is likely / unlikely to do something to express probability without using will at all: "She is unlikely to arrive on time given the traffic."
Be about to + base verb is used to describe something that will happen very soon — often in the next few seconds or minutes. It conveys a sense of immediacy: "Hurry! The train is about to leave!" or "She was about to cross the road when the car sped past." May + base verb is used to express a genuine possibility in the future — we think it could happen but we are not sure: "I may take the bus tomorrow if the weather is bad." Might + base verb is very similar to may but is slightly less certain — it suggests a smaller chance: "We might be late — there are roadworks on the motorway." Remember that might is also the past form of may, so it can appear in reported speech or when talking about something possible in past situations: "He said he might arrive late."
How will we get around in 2050? Transport experts believe that our daily commute will change completely. Firstly, nobody will be driving traditional petrol cars. Instead, we will all be using autonomous, self-driving electric vehicles. Because AI will navigate the streets, experts predict that traffic jams will disappear entirely. Furthermore, you won't even need to own a car. You will simply open an app, and a shared pod will arrive at your door to pick you up. "At 8:00 AM in the future, millions of people will be commuting, but the streets will be silent," says Dr. Aris. Some architects even believe that pedestrians will rule the ground level, while all heavy transport will fly in the sky or travel through underground magnetic tunnels.
1. According to the text, what will happen to traditional petrol cars?
2. Why do experts think traffic jams will disappear?
3. How will people access a car in 2050?
4. What will heavy transport do according to some architects?
Tomorrow is the biggest meeting of my career in London. Because the train fare is too expensive, I have decided to drive. However, I know the M25 motorway is a nightmare. To beat the traffic, I will set off at 4:30 AM. While my colleagues will be sleeping comfortably in their beds, I will be driving in the dark. I hope the weather will be clear. By 7:00 AM, I will be navigating the busy streets of central London. I'm carpooling with my manager, Sarah. I will drop her off right in front of the office building before I go to find a parking space. If everything goes to plan, I will not be held up, and we will hit the road back home before the evening rush hour even begins.
1. Why has the writer decided to drive to London?
2. What will his colleagues be doing while he is driving?
3. What time will he be navigating the streets of central London?
4. What does he plan to do to avoid the evening traffic?
Tomorrow is Monday, and my daily commute begins again. I (1) set off early at 6:30 AM to beat the (2). If I leave later, I am sure I will get held (3) on the motorway.
At exactly 7:00 AM tomorrow, I will (4) driving over the main bridge. I usually carpool with my friend Mark. I will pick him up and then drop him (5) near his office before I park. We are in the (6) boat, as we both hate public transport because the bus (7) has become too expensive.
I hope that by 2030, the city (8) build more roads. Until then, we will just have to learn how to (9) through the crowded streets and try not to hit any (10) crossing the road!
Check the will/won't form, and whether the use (decision, prediction, promise, offer) is expressed correctly.
Check the will be + verb-ing structure, and word order in negatives and questions.
Check that the time clause (when, as soon as, before, after, until, once) uses Present Simple or Present Perfect — never will.
Check the position of the adverb — usually between will and the main verb, but at the start of the sentence for maybe/perhaps.
Check the "be about to" structure, and that may/might are followed directly by the base verb (no "to").