• Deutsch (German)
  • English
  • Español (Spanish, Mexico)
  • Français (French)
  • Italiano
  • Português (Portuguese, Portugal)

Expressions for talking about the future

watch time coffee   Let's go - the presentation's about to begin.

Definition

These are expressions which can be used instead of the standard tenses to talk about the future.


Construction and uses

Expressions with 'be'

 

Construction

Use

Examples

'be' + infinitive

 

 

1. In news reports for likely events in the near future

 

 

2. To talk about formal arrangements

 

 

3. To give formal instructions or orders

The Government is to announce its plans for a new airport.

 

The management are to introduce new safety guidelines.

 

Employees are not to leave early without their manager's permission.

 

'be about' + infinitive

To talk about something in the very near future

I'm just about to leave; can I call you back tomorrow?

 

'be due'+ infinitive

To talk about something that's expected to happen at a certain time

 

The new desks are due to arrive on Friday.

 

'be bound' + infinitive

To talk about something we feel is certain to happen

There's bound to be a restaurant at the station; let's wait and eat there.

 

'be set' + infinitive

To talk about something that's ready to happen

Despite the problems, they're set to launch next week as planned.

 

be sure/certain/likely

/unlikely etc. + infinitive

To talk about varying levels of likelihood that something will happen

We're thinking about having a barbecue on Saturday but it's sure to rain.

 

We're unlikely to find the right person for the job within the company.

 

be on the verge/brink/point of + noun or gerund

To talk about something that will happen very soon, often a new or different situation

 

Note that 'be on the brink of' usually relates to something particularly significant.

 

We're on the point of restructuring the entire department.

 

Peace talks broke down and the country is now on the brink of civil war.

 

Note that 'be' + infinitive:

 

  1. is only used to talk about actions that can be controlled by people.

           The stolen items are to be returned to the museum this week.  green check mark, tick mark

            The stolen items will be returned to the museum this week.      green check mark, tick mark

            After a rainy spell, the warm weather is to return this weekend. red x, red cross

            After a rainy spell, the warm weather will return this weekend.  green check mark, tick mark

 

  1. is often used in 'if' clauses but with a different meaning to 'if' + present tense. Compare:

     

    If our company is to succeed in this competitive market, we'll have to invest more in new technology. ['If' + result + cause - future success depends on something else happening first]

    If our company succeeds in this competitive market, we'll be able to continue expanding. ['If' + cause + result]

     

Expressions with other verbs

 

Construction

Use

Examples

Verb in present simple or present continuous + infinitive

 

These are some common examples:

 

aim, expect, guarantee, hope, intend, mean, propose, want

 

To talk about intentions

We're aiming to double our turnover by the end of next year.

 

 

 

 

Do you guarantee to deliver all the items on time?

 

She expects to get a reply soon.

'look' in present continuous + infinitive

To talk about a planned course of action

We're looking to recruit five more technicians in the next six months.

 

They're looking to expand into the Asian market.

 


Examples

rain umbrella pluie parapluie temps weather   I think it's about to rain again.

smiling man, tie, businessman Mark's due to retire in six months - that's why he's looking so happy these days!

Late person man hard hat watch construction   I knew we should have reminded John - he was bound to forget!

bus stop mobile phone waiting subway transport station coach wait  I'm all set to leave, just waiting for the next coach.


See also The future seen from the past