There is no future tense in English. Instead, English has several forms that can refer to the future.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| will | I'll see you later. |
| going to | We're going to see a film tonight. |
| Present Continuous | I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow. |
| might | If the traffic's bad, I might be late. |
| could | It could rain later. |
The difference between them is not about near or distant future, or certainty. The speaker chooses the future form depending on how he/she sees the future event: a plan, a decision, an intention, an offer, an arrangement, or a prediction.
The most common use of will is as an auxiliary verb to show future time. It expresses a future fact or prediction.
We'll be away for two weeks. Those flowers won't grow under the tree.Will for a prediction can be based more on an opinion than a fact.
I don't think Laura will pass her exam. She doesn't do any work.Going to can also express a prediction, especially when there is evidence now that something is certain to happen.
She's going to have a baby. (We can see she's pregnant.)It's going to rain today. (Look at that beautiful blue sky.)will — spontaneous decisions, intentions, or offers made at the moment of speaking.
I'll have the steak, please.going to — plans and intentions made before the moment of speaking.
When I grow up, I'm going to be a doctor.Present Continuous — fixed arrangements (in the diary).
We're going out with Jeremy tonight. I'm having my hair cut tomorrow.May, might, and could are modal verbs followed by the bare infinitive.
| Positive | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| may | It may rain. | It may not get the job. |
| might | It might rain. | It might not get the job. |
| could | I could see you later. |