Discussing the future using the present perfect continuous form (also known as the future perfect continuous using will have been doing)

You can use the present perfect continuous form to say how long something will have been happening by a certain time in the future.

"This time next year I will have been teaching English for 9 years."

Future Tense

Overview | Simple Present | Simple Future | Simple Past
Present Continuous | Future Continuous | Past Continuous
Present Perfect Simple | Present Perfect Future | Present Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Simple | Past Perfect Continuous

Going To | Shall / Will

Discussing the future using going to

We say something is going to happen when it has already been planned.

For example:-

Q) Are you going to fly to Germansy?
A) No, we're going to drive.

We also use it to show something has already been decided.

For example:-

"We're going to buy a new car next year."

We also use going to when we can see something is about to happen.

For example:-

"Look at that cloud. I think it's going to rain."

"Watch out! He's going to crash into that tree!"

You can also use going to to predict the future based upon the evidence now.

For example:-

"It looks as though Manchester United are going to win the European cup.

"I think my friend Louise is going to have a baby."

!Note

Thanks to Ken Anderson for pointing out the following:-

"I'm going to Germany." isn't really the future tense. You would have to say "I'm going to go to Germany."

Discussing the future using shall/will

When we give information about the future or predict future events that are not certain we usually use shall/will.

For example:-

Q) Who do you think will win the election?" A) "I'm not sure but I think the current party will win. "

We can also use shall/will to make promises for the future.

When leaving work I would say - "Goodnight, I'll (I will) see you tomorrow."

Shall/Will is often used when we just decide to do something.

For example:-

The phone is ringing - If I decide to answer the phone I would say - " I'll (I will) get it."

It can also be used in formal situations to express planned events and is preferred in formal written English.

For example:-

The party will start at 10.00pm.