Introduction
Understanding future tenses is vital for effective professional communication, especially in a TOEIC context. Whether you're scheduling meetings, setting deadlines, or discussing future projects, mastering future tenses ensures clarity and precision.
Explanation
In English, we commonly use three future tenses:
Simple Future (will + base verb): Use this tense for decisions made at the moment of speaking or for future facts.
Example: "I will send the report tomorrow."
Be going to + base verb: Use this tense for plans or intentions decided before the moment of speaking, and for predictions based on current evidence.
Example: "We are going to launch the new product next month."
Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing): Use this tense for definite plans or arrangements.
Example: "I am meeting the client at 3 PM."
Common mistakes
Mixing up "will" and "going to": Remember, "will" is often used for spontaneous decisions, while "going to" is for planned actions.
Incorrect: "I will visit the client next week." (if the visit is already planned)
Correct: "I am going to visit the client next week."
Using present simple for future arrangements, which can cause confusion.
Incorrect: "I meet the team tomorrow."
Correct: "I am meeting the team tomorrow."
Tips for the TOEIC test
Pay attention to context clues in the listening and reading sections to determine which future tense is appropriate.
Look for time expressions like "tomorrow," "next week," or "in the future" to help identify the correct tense.
Practice identifying the purpose of the future tense in each question—whether it's a plan, prediction, or spontaneous decision.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct future tense form:
Our team ______ (launch) the new software update next Friday.
I ______ (call) you back in a few minutes; I need to check something first.
They ______ (have) a meeting with the new supplier tomorrow at 10 AM.
Answers:
is going to launch
will call
are having