In our article “English Future Forms,” we explored the theory and reasoning behind different future forms. If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check it out. This post is a follow-up, offering you some essential practice with that grammar. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!

Exercise 1. Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

1. In 24 hours’ time, ___ (I/relax) on my yacht.
2. A: There’s someone at the door. B: That ___ (be) the postman.
3. By the time you get back, Harry ___ (leave).
4. It’s only a short trip. I ___ (be) back in an hour.
5. What ___ (you/do) this Saturday evening? Would you like to go out?
6. By the end of the week, we ___ (decide) what to do.
7. It ___ (not/be) long before Doctor Smith is here.
8. We’ll go to the park when you ___ (finish) your tea.
9. It’s very hot in here. I think I ___ (faint).
10. What ___ (you/give) Ann for her birthday? Have you decided yet?

Answer key 🔑

1. I’ll be relaxing
2. will be
3. will have left
4. will be
5. are you doing / are you going to do
6. will have decided
7. won’t be
8. have finished / finish
9. am going to faint
10. are you going to give / are you giving

Exercise 2. Click the link here and choose the most appropriate continuation for each sentence.

Exercise 3. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.

1. 1) I don’t suppose you have heard the news. Word to use: won’t. 2) You ___ the news.
2. 1) The Prime Minister expects an easy victory for his party in the election. Word to use: believes. 2) The Prime Minister ___ the election easily.
3. 1) I’ve been in this company for almost three years. Word to use: will. 2) By the end of the month, ___ in this company for three years.
4. 1) This book will take me two years to write. Word to use: have. 2) In two years’ time, I ___ this book.
5. 1) Scientists are on the point of making a vital breakthrough. Word to use: about. 2) Scientists are ___ a vital breakthrough.
6. 1) Maria is pregnant again. Word to use: have. 2) Maria ___ baby.
7. 1) I’ll be home late. Word to use: until. 2) I ___ late.
8. 1) No one knows what the result of the match is going to be. Word to use: who. 2) No one knows ___ the match.
9. 1) Don’t worry; David won’t be late. Word to use: here. 2) Don’t worry; David ___ time.
10. 1) Mary and Alan’s wedding is next weekend. Word to use: getting. 2) Mary and Alan ___ next weekend.

Answer key 🔑

1. You won’t have heard the news.
2. The Prime Minister believes his party will win the election easily.
3. By the end of the month, I will have been in this company for three years.
4. In two years’ time, I will have written/finished this book.
5. Scientists are about to make a vital breakthrough.
6. Maria is going to have another baby.
7. I won’t be home until late.
8. No one knows who is going to win the match.
9. Don’t worry; David will be (here) on time.
10. Mary and Alan are getting married next weekend.

Exercise 4. Click the link here and look at the three options for each question. Choose two correct ones.

Exercise 5. Click the link here and choose the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

Exercise 6. Complete the common expressions using the words from the list.

• let
• give
• be
• see
• come
• have
• go
• be
• see

1. I’ll ___ what I can do.
2. I’ll ___ a look and get back to you.
3. I’ll ___ it some thought.
4. I’ll ___ you know by tomorrow.
5. I’ll just ___ and get it.
6. I’ll ___ to it.
7. I’ll ___ back in a minute.
8. I’ll ___ about five minutes.
9. I’ll ___ and show you.

Answer key 🔑

1. I’ll see what I can do.
2. I’ll have a look and get back to you.
3. I’ll give it some thought.
4. I’ll let you know by tomorrow.
5. I’ll just go and get it.
6. I’ll see to it.
7. I’ll be back in a minute.
8. I’ll be about five minutes.
9. I’ll come and show you.

📚 Materials used for writing this article: “Advanced Language Practice” by M. Vince and P. Sunderland (Macmillan, 2003)