English has no single “future tense”. Instead, we choose between will, going to, the present continuous, the present simple and the perfect and continuous forms, depending on whether we are making a decision, a plan, a prediction or talking about a timetable. The table sums up the rules. Below it are four sets of exercises, and each answer has a short note on why it’s right.
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will | decisions made now, offers, promises, predictions based on opinion | I’m cold, so I’ll close the window. |
| be going to | plans decided earlier; predictions based on what we can see | Look at the clouds. It’s going to rain. |
| present continuous | fixed arrangements with a time and place | I’m meeting Anna at 6. |
| present simple | timetables and schedules | The train leaves at 7:15. |
| future continuous | an action in progress at a future time | This time tomorrow I’ll be flying to Rome. |
| future perfect | an action finished before a future time | By Friday I’ll have finished the report. |
| future perfect continuous | how long an action has lasted at a future time | In June I’ll have been working here for 10 years. |
Future tenses quiz
Four sets of 20 questions: start with Basics (A2) and move up to Advanced (B2–C1), or try the At work set with real office situations. Choose an option or type the verb in the correct form. Prefer to check everything at the end? Switch to Exam mode.
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Look at those dark clouds! It rain.
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“The phone’s ringing.” “OK, I it.”
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I think Brazil the World Cup one day.
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I’ve already decided: I (buy) a new laptop next month.
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The train to Kraków at 6:15 tomorrow morning.
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“I’m cold.” “I the window.”
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We (have) a party on Saturday. We’ve already invited 30 people.
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you help me with my homework later?
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Don’t worry, I tell anyone your secret.
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She’s studying medicine. She a doctor.
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What time (the film / start) tonight?
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Be careful! You fall!
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In 2050, people probably in flying cars.
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I’m sure you (pass) the exam. You’ve studied so hard.
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“Are you free tonight?” “Sorry, I my grandparents.”
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The shop at 9 am on Sundays.
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I’m thirsty. I think I a glass of water.
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“When (you / start) your new job?” “Next Monday.”
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“I forgot to buy milk!” “Don’t worry, I some on my way home.”
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My sister married in June. The wedding is all planned.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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This time tomorrow I on a beach in Greece.
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I’ll call you when I home.
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As soon as the results (come) out, I’ll let you know.
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“I’ve lost my phone charger.” “Never mind, I you mine.”
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“Why are you buying paint?” “I my bedroom.”
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Don’t call me at 8. I dinner then.
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We won’t leave until the rain (stop).
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you be using the car tonight? I need it.
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It sunny tomorrow, according to the forecast.
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If you (not / hurry), you’ll miss the bus.
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The conference on 3 March and ends on 5 March.
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Watch out! That glass fall off the table.
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I promise I (not / be) late again.
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I open the window? It’s very hot in here.
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I Sarah tomorrow anyway, so I can give her your message.
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Before you the room, please turn off the lights.
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I don’t think it (rain) today, so leave your umbrella at home.
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I at a conference in Berlin all next week, so I can’t meet you.
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Once you (finish) the form, hand it to the receptionist.
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“We’ve run out of coffee.” “Really? I some when I go to the shop.”
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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By the time you get home, I dinner.
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Next June, I here for ten years.
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By 2030, scientists (find) a cure for the disease, I hope.
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Hurry up! The film start.
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The new bridge to open next spring.
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Don’t phone at 9. They (not / finish) the meeting by then.
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In a few minutes, we for exactly three hours.
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This time next week, I my exams, so I’ll finally be able to relax.
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When I (save) enough money, I’ll travel round the world.
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The President visit Poland next month, a spokesperson announced.
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I’ll wait here until you your phone call.
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How long (you / live) in London by the end of this year?
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Don’t worry. By the time they arrive, the kids to bed.
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I’m sure he the email by now. He checks his inbox every hour.
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She’s on the point of her job.
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I’ll text you the moment I (arrive).
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“Will you have finished the report by Friday?” “Yes, I it by Thursday.”
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Ten years from now, I imagine I in a different country.
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By the end of the course, you (learn) over 2,000 new words.
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Sorry, I can’t talk now. I go into a meeting.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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“The printer isn’t working.” “Don’t worry, I IT.”
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Our team the new product at the trade fair next week. Everything is booked.
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According to the agenda, the meeting at 9:30.
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I’ll send you the contract as soon as our lawyers it.
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By the end of the quarter, we (hire) ten new engineers.
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Sales are falling every month. We miss our target this year.
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“Can someone take notes?” “I it.”
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I can’t join the call at 3. I (interview) a candidate then.
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Don’t email her now. She to Tokyo. She’ll read it when she lands.
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We to our new office in May. The contract has been signed.
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Please don’t leave until you (sign) the visitor book.
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Next month, I for this company for exactly five years.
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“Have you booked the flights?” “Not yet, but I them this afternoon.”
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The CEO announce the results at tomorrow’s press conference, the email says.
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Get ready. The client arrive.
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I’m sure the presentation well. You’ve prepared really thoroughly.
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I promise the report (be) on your desk by Monday morning.
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What time your flight to Frankfurt leave?
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By the time the investors arrive, we everything for the demo.
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When the new system (be) ready, everyone will get training.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
Will or going to?
Ask yourself when the decision was made. If you decide at the moment of speaking, use will. If the plan already existed, use going to.
- “We’ve run out of milk.” “Really? I’ll get some.” (decided now)
- “Why have you got a bag?” “I’m going to buy some milk.” (decided before)
For predictions, will is based on opinion or knowledge (I think it will be a great film), and going to is based on evidence you can see now (Look out! You’re going to fall!).
No will after when, as soon as, until
In time clauses about the future we use a present tense: I’ll call you when I get home (not when I will get). If one action must be complete first, use the present perfect: I’ll travel when I’ve saved enough money.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I will meet my doctor at 4 tomorrow. → ✅ I’m meeting my doctor at 4 tomorrow. (fixed arrangement)
- ❌ I’ll tell you when I will know. → ✅ I’ll tell you when I know.
- ❌ By Friday I will finish the project. → ✅ By Friday I will have finished the project. (completed before a future time)
FAQ
How many future tenses are there in English?
Grammar books usually list four: future simple (will do), future continuous (will be doing), future perfect (will have done) and future perfect continuous (will have been doing). In real English we also use going to, the present continuous and the present simple to talk about the future, so it is more useful to learn the future forms and when to use each one.
What level are these exercises?
There are four sets: Basics (A2), Intermediate (B1), Advanced (B2–C1) and At work (B1–B2). The advanced set covers the future perfect, the future perfect continuous and formal forms like be due to and be to.
Can I use these exercises in class?
Yes. Under each quiz there is a link to download it as a printable PDF worksheet with an answer key on a separate page. It’s free to use with your students.