B2daily

Mixed Future Tenses - Daily English

Type your answer in each blank and press Enter to check it, or use Check answers below. A cue in (brackets) is the word to put in the right form.

English has no single "future tense"; instead you choose between several forms depending on what you mean. Use "will" for instant decisions, offers, promises and predictions based on opinion: "I'll send you the report this afternoon." Use "going to" for plans already made and for predictions based on present evidence: "We're going to launch in March"; "Look at these figures, we're going to miss the target." Use the present continuous for fixed arrangements, usually with another person and a time or place: "I'm meeting the client at ten on Thursday." Use the present simple for scheduled events on a timetable: "The conference starts at nine." Two advanced forms add precision: the future continuous describes an action in progress at a future moment ("This time tomorrow I'll be presenting to the board"), and the future perfect describes something completed before a future point ("By Friday we'll have signed the contract"). The commonest pitfall is using "will" for a fixed arrangement. If the diary is set, prefer the present continuous: say "I'm seeing the supplier on Monday," not "I will see the supplier on Monday." Also avoid "will" after time words like "when," "before" and "as soon as"; use the present simple there: "I'll call you when I arrive."

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. I (meet) my parents for lunch this Sunday at that new Italian place.
  2. The train (leave) at 8:45 tomorrow morning, so don't be late.
  3. By this time next week, we (relax) on a beach in Spain.
  4. I think it (rain) later this afternoon, so take an umbrella.
  5. By the time you arrive, I (finish) all my housework.
  6. What (you/do) this time tomorrow?
  7. My brother (start) his new job next Monday.
  8. Don't worry, I (help) you with those heavy shopping bags.
  9. They (live) in this city for ten years by next December.
  10. We (have) a big family dinner tonight at seven o'clock.
  11. I'm sure you (enjoy) the concert tonight.
  12. At midnight, most people (sleep).
  13. The flight (land) in London at 6:00 PM.
  14. By the end of this month, she (save) enough money for a new laptop.
  15. Look at those dark clouds! It (storm) very soon.
  16. I (see) the dentist tomorrow morning for a check-up.
  17. Will you (be/use) your car this weekend?
  18. By 2030, technology (change) our daily routines completely.
  19. I (call) you as soon as I get home.
  20. They (travel) around Europe all next month.
  21. The supermarket (close) in twenty minutes.
  22. I (not/work) this Friday, so let's hang out.
  23. How long (you/study) English by the time you graduate?
  24. Wait, I (get) my coat for you.
  25. We (stay) at a lovely boutique hotel during our trip.

Common questions

What is the difference between 'will' and 'going to' for the future?

Use 'will' for decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers and promises: 'The phone's ringing, I'll get it.' Use 'going to' for plans decided earlier and for predictions backed by present evidence: 'We're going to hire two more staff next quarter'; 'Sales are falling, we're going to have a tough year.' If the plan already exists, choose 'going to'.

When should I use the present continuous instead of 'will' for the future?

Use the present continuous for fixed future arrangements, especially ones involving other people and a definite time or place: 'I'm interviewing three candidates on Wednesday.' It signals the diary is set. 'Will' here sounds like a spontaneous decision rather than a confirmed plan. Compare 'I'm flying to Berlin on Monday' (booked) with 'Maybe I'll fly to Berlin' (undecided).

How do I use the future perfect and future continuous in business English?

The future continuous ('will be + -ing') describes an action in progress at a future moment: 'This time next week I'll be working from the Paris office.' The future perfect ('will have + past participle') describes something finished before a deadline: 'By the end of the quarter we'll have onboarded fifty clients.' Both are useful for reporting timelines and reassuring clients about progress.