The future

Predictions and expectations

Will + infinitive without to can be used to make predictions or talk about expectations for the future. These can be introduced by verbs such as believe, expect, hope, think. Adverbs such as definitely, (almost) certainly and probably may also used; they come after will and before won't.
Chelsea will probably win the league again this year.
He definitely won't pass his exams; he's too lazy.

Alternatives to will
The following structures can be used to talk about the probability of something happening in the future.
be (un)likely + infinitive with to
may/might/could well + infinitive without to
There may/could/ might well be a cure for cancer in the future. (= there will probably be)
NB may well is not usual in the negative.
May/might/could + infinitive without to can be used to talk about the possibility of something happening in the future.
We may/might/could see fewer cars in the future.
NB could not expresses impossibility.


Other future forms

In addiction to making predictions about the future, will is also used to talk about:
decisions made at the moment of speaking, including offers and requests.
We'll babysit for you if you want to go out.
future facts; events which the speaker knows or believes are certain to happen.
Summer will be here soon.

Going to + infinitive is used to talk about:
predictions based on present evidence.
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain soon.
intentions or plans.
I'm going to stay in tonight and read my book.
Modal verbs can be used to express possible intentions.
I may/might go walking in the montains tomorrow.

The present continuous is used to talk about the future arrangements which have already been made.
Sue and Paul are getting married on July 15th.

The present simple is used:
to talk about timetabled or scheduled events.
The films starts at 9.15, just after the news.
to refer to the future after time linkers such as when, before, after, until, by the time, as soon as.
Give me a call as soon as you arrive.

The future continuous, will + be + ing, is used to talk about actions or events which will be in progress at a certain time in the future.
This time next week I'll be lying on the beach.

The future perfect simple, will + have + past participle, is used to talk about actions and events that will be completed by a certain time in the future.
By the end of today we'll have driven over 240 km.

The future perfect continuous, will + have + been + ing, is used to talk about actions and events which continue to a certain time in the future.
On 22 May I'll have been living here for exactly 10 years.

Be about to + infinitive/be on the point of + gerund can be used to talk about the immediate future.
Can I phone you back? I'm just about to have lunch.
The police say they are on the point of solving the crime.