When beginning to learn future tenses in another language, we often use the grammatical structures in our own language as a reference point, and, at the beginning of that process we often apply the future tenses according to the same rules. For example;
English French
Present simple tense I speak Je parle
Present progressive I am speaking Je parle
Future tense (will) I will speak Je parlerai
It would be easy to assume, then, that equivalent tenses would be applied in exactly the same situations in the respective languages. However, learners of English discover that the Present Tenses are used much more than in other languages when talking about the future, and this can be the cause of some confusion.
When we know about the future, in other words, if we are talking about something which is scheduled, like on a train timetable or a cinema screening, etc., we normally use the Simple Present Tense. For example;
- I have a doctor’s appointment next Monday (J’aurai un rendez-vous chez le médecin lundi prochain).
- The bus arrives at 8.30pm (Le bus arrivera à 20h30).
- My university course starts next week (Mon cours universitaire commencera la semaine prochaine).
- It‘s her birthday tomorrow (Ce sera son anniversaire demain).
When plans or arrangements have already been made for the future, we often use the Present Progressive (or Continuous) Tense. For example,
- He’s playing golf next Tuesday (Il jouera au golf mardi prochain).
- They are going to France next summer (Ils iront en France l’été prochain).
- My parents are coming to dinner next weekend (Mes parents viendront dîner le week-end prochain).
In time clauses when we use ‘when’, ‘after’ and ‘until’, we usually use Present Tenses to talk about the future:
- I’ll see you when I finish my homework (Je te verrai quand j’aurai fini mes devoirs).
- You must stay here until the bus arrives (Vous devez rester ici jusqu’à l’arrivée de l’autobus).
- They’re coming back after they have had dinner (Ils reviendront après avoir dîné).
In conditional clauses with words like if, unless, even if, we often use Present Tenses when talking about the future: – (note that with conditional clauses the present tense is used also in the French)
- We won’t be able have a picnic if it is raining (On ne pourra pas pique-niquer s’il pleut).
- I will go there next Saturday unless I have to visit my grandmother (J’y irai samedi prochain, sauf si je dois rendre visite à ma grand-mère).
- Even if he plays well tomorrow, he will leave the team (Même s’il joue bien demain, il quittera l’équipe).
We usually use the Present Simple Tense and not ‘will ‘in time clauses and conditional clauses:
- I’ll go out when I finish my dinner (NOT will finish) (Je sortirai quand j’aurai fini mon dîner).
- It will be good to see Richard when he comes (NOT will come) (Ce sera bien de voir Richard quand il viendra)
- You must wait here until you teacher returns (NOT will return) (Vous devez attendre ici jusqu’à ce que votre professeur revienne).
Try to practice these aspects of English grammar when speaking about the future because it will make you sound more natural… Next time I’m writing a blog about the different types of future tenses in English.
If you have enjoyed reading this blog, please ‘like’ it and share it with your friends and colleagues, and if you know anyone who might be interested in my online one-to-one lessons, please do ask them to contact me to discuss how I can help them to excel in English.
Thank you,
Martin
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