Other Ways to Talk
About the Future
Beyond will, going to and the present continuous — was going to, be to, be about to, be due/sure/likely to, and more. Learn each one and when it fits.
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Beyond will, going to, present continuous
English has several more ways of pointing at the future, each with its own shade of meaning:
- was / were going to — plans in the past that didn't happen
- am / is / are to + infinitive — formal future (news, instructions, orders)
- am / is / are about to + infinitive — the immediate future
- be due / sure / certain / likely to — scheduled or predicted future
- expect / hope / want + to + infinitive — attitudes about the future
was / were going to — the "future in the past"
For something that was expected or planned for the future, but didn't happen:
In 2005 they were going to build a supermarket here. (= they planned it, but it wasn't built)
When I was younger, I was going to be a ballet dancer.
I wasn't going to work today, but the boss called me in.
Often used to make excuses:
I was going to finish my homework, but I didn't have time.
We were going to buy more milk, but we left our money at home. Sorry.
be to + infinitive — formal future
Used in formal contexts — especially news reports and instructions/orders:
The president is to talk to the nation tomorrow.
The bridge is to be opened by the mayor on July 20th.
The police are to start house-to-house enquiries this week.
For instructions / orders:
These pills are to be taken three times a day.
You are to report for duty at 9.00 a.m.
In everyday speech we'd use will or present forms instead.
be about to + infinitive — the immediate future
The action is happening in seconds or minutes:
Hurry up! The train's about to leave.
I can't talk now — my phone battery is about to run out.
Compare with going to, which can mean later today or next year. About to = right now.
Other expressions with future meaning
| expression | meaning | example |
|---|---|---|
| be due to | scheduled / expected | The computer is due to arrive tomorrow. |
| be sure / certain to | confident prediction | I'm sure to pass the test. |
| be likely to | probable | We're not likely to get a refund. |
| expect to | anticipate | The company expects to announce its results. |
| hope to | wish | I hope to see you on Friday. |
| want to | desire | They want to visit us next summer. |
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| In 2005 they are going to build a supermarket, but it never happened. | In 2005 they were going to build a supermarket here. |
| The president will to talk to the nation tomorrow. | The president is to talk to the nation tomorrow. |
| Hurry — the train is going to leave right now! (too vague) | Hurry — the train's about to leave! |
| The new computer is due of arriving tomorrow. | The new computer is due to arrive tomorrow. |
| I'm sure of pass the test. | I'm sure to pass the test. |
| I hope of seeing you on Friday. | I hope to see you on Friday. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'was going to' mean?
Was / were going to describes the 'future in the past' — something that was planned or expected, but didn't happen. 'I was going to study medicine, but my grades weren't good enough.' 'We were going to buy more milk, but we left our money at home.' It's often used to give excuses for things that didn't happen.
When do you use 'be to + infinitive'?
Be to + infinitive is the formal future. Common in news reports and instructions/orders: 'The president is to talk to the nation tomorrow', 'The bridge is to be opened by the mayor on July 20th', 'These pills are to be taken three times a day', 'You are to report for duty at 9 a.m.' In everyday speech we'd use will or present forms instead.
What's the difference between 'about to' and 'going to'?
Be about to + infinitive means seconds or minutes away: 'Hurry — the train's about to leave!' 'My phone battery is about to run out.' Going to is much broader and can refer to today, this week, or next year. About to is for actions that are essentially happening NOW.
What's the difference between 'sure to', 'likely to' and 'due to'?
Sure to / certain to = confident prediction ('She's sure to be promoted'). Likely to = probable, less certain ('We're not likely to get a refund'). Due to = scheduled or expected at a specific time ('The new computer is due to arrive tomorrow'). All take an infinitive, but they describe different degrees of certainty about the future.