Guide to English grammar

78 Other ways of expressing the future
1 Be about to etc
a We can use be about to + base form for an action in the near future.
The audience are in their seats, and the performance is about to start.
Hurry up. The coach is about to leave.
NOTE
We can use be just about to/going to for the very near future.
The coach is just about to leave/just going to leave.
b We can also use be on the point of+ gerund.
The company is on the point of signing the contract.
NOTE
Be set to + base form is used in news reports about things likely to happen in the near future.
The company is set to sign the contract.
c We can use be due to + base form for an action which is part of a timetable.
The visitors are due to arrive at two.
2 Modal verbs
Besides will, there are other modal verbs which express the future. We use them to
say that something is possible or necessary in the future.
I canmeetyou later. (= I will be able to ...)
There might be a storm. (= There will possibly...)
We must post the invitations soon. (= We will have to ...)
NOTE
We can use be sure to/be bound to + base form to express certainty about the future.
The scheme is sure tofail. (= It will certainly fail.)
There is bound to be trouble. (= There will certainly be trouble.)
3 Ordinary verbs
There are some ordinary verbs that we can use with a to-infinitive to express
intentions and plans for the future.
We've decided to sell ourflat. We intend to move soon,
Helen plans to re-train as a nurse. We've arranged to visit the area.
79 The future perfect: will have done
We can use will + have+ past participle to look back from the future, to talk about
something that will be over at a future time.
I'll have finished this book soon. I'm nearly at the end.
We don't want to spend all day in the museum. I should think we'll have seen
enough by lunch-time.
Sarah won't have completed her studies until she's twenty-five.
Our neighbours are moving soon. They'll have only been here a year.
NOTE
a In the first person we can also use shall.
We will/shall have done half the journey by the time we stop for lunch.
b For until and by, • 227(6).
c We can use will with the perfect and the continuous together.