Future Verbs

One common way to talk about the future is to use a verb.

I want to watch 'Hulk' tonight.

I 'm planning to go to Spain next year.

I 've decided to learn Japanese one day.

Obviously, the verb (want, plan, decide) uses a present form. But the 'to watch' or'to go' or 'to learn' part means in the future.

Here is a list of common verbs for the future:

I	would love would like am hoping am planning have arranged have decided have agreed expect intend want promise	to have a bath tonight.

Another way to talk about the future is to use an expression with 'be ... + to + verb'

I 'm due to visit the dentist next month.

I 'm likely to be late tonight.

Here are some more future "be + _ + to + verb" structures:

Structure	Meaning
I am going to mark your homework.	a plan/intention
I am likely to mark your homework.	probably
I am bound to mark your homework.	almost definitely
I am expected to mark your homework.	people expect it
I am about to mark your homework.	I'll do it next
I am to mark your homework.	formal

There are more examples of these in the other 'future' pages.

The teacher promises to give you some more examples.

From: The Tiny TEFL Teacher