B2 · فوق المتوسط فصل 13

التحدث عن المستقبل ببراعة المحترفين: أسرار التعبير المتقدم

6 القواعد الإجمالية
58 أمثلة
7 دقيقة

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of temporal precision and talk about the future like a native speaker.

  • Describe actions in progress at specific future moments using the Future Continuous.
  • Express formal schedules and imminent events with professional accuracy.
  • Calculate long-term durations and revisit past intentions that never happened.
Don't just predict the future—describe it with vivid detail.

ما ستتعلمه

هل أنت مستعد لتنقل لغتك الإنجليزية إلى مستوى الاحتراف؟ في هذا الفصل، سنتجاوز القواعد البسيطة لنتعلم كيف تصف المستقبل بدقة مذهلة تجعلك تبدو كمتحدث أصلي للغة. ستتمكن من التحدث عن أفعال ستكون مستمرة في لحظة معينة (Future Continuous) مثل «سأكون مسافراً الأسبوع القادم»، وستكتشف سر اللحظات الحاسمة باستخدام (be about to) و (be on the point of) للتعبير عن أشياء على وشك الحدوث تماماً. ليس هذا فحسب، بل ستتعلم كيف تصف المواعيد الرسمية ببراعة باستخدام (be due to)، وتوضح المدد الزمنية الطويلة التي ستكتمل في نقطة مستقبلية (Future Perfect Continuous). هل فكرت يوماً كيف تصف خططاً كنت تنوي القيام بها في الماضي ولكنها تغيرت؟ سنغطي أيضاً «المستقبل في الماضي» (Future in the Past) لنحكي عما «كنت سأفعله». والأهم من ذلك، ستتقن الربط الزمني الدقيق باستخدام أدوات مثل (when) و (as soon as) والفرق بين استخدام المضارع البسيط والتام بعدها. تخيل أنك في اجتماع عمل وتصف بدقة متى ستنتهي من مشروعك، أو تشرح لصديقك لماذا تأخرت لأنك «كنت على وشك المغادرة» حين رن الهاتف. بنهاية هذا الفصل، ستكتسب الثقة لتنسيق أفكارك الزمنية بمرونة عالية، وستنتقل من مجرد التنبؤ بالمستقبل إلى رسم تفاصيله بدقة متناهية.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to describe your ongoing activities at a specific time tomorrow using 'will be -ing'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between informal and formal future schedules using 'be due to' and 'be about to'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to express the duration of an action leading up to a future point using the Future Perfect Continuous.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to explain past plans that changed using 'was going to' and 'was about to'.

دليل الفصل

نظرة عامة

Mastering the nuances of future tense in English is a hallmark of truly advanced learners. If you're at the B2 level, you've likely moved past the basic will and going to, and you're ready to unlock a level of precision that will make your English sound incredibly natural and sophisticated. This chapter,
English looking ahead: advanced future forms,
is designed to equip you with the tools to express complex future ideas with confidence.
You'll discover how to paint vivid pictures of ongoing actions at a specific time in the future using the Future Continuous, making your descriptions much more dynamic. We'll also dive into ways to talk about imminent events, whether it's something casual that’s about to happen or a more dramatic, on-the-verge moment with be about to and be on the point of. For those scheduled events and professional contexts, be due to and be set to will add a layer of official precision to your speech.
And for the ultimate in future foresight, we'll explore the Future Perfect Continuous, a powerful tense that emphasizes duration leading up to a future milestone. By integrating these advanced future forms into your communication, you'll not only avoid sounding repetitive but also convey your thoughts with the clarity and naturalness of a native speaker. Get ready to elevate your B2 English grammar and truly sound amazing when discussing what's next!

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

These advanced future forms allow you to convey detailed information about future events that simple will or going to cannot. They add layers of timing, expectation, and emphasis.
The Future Continuous (will be -ing) describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Think of it like taking a snapshot of a future moment and seeing what's happening. For example:
This time next year, I will be living in London.
You're not just saying you'll live there; you're imagining yourself in the middle of the experience.
It's perfect for setting a scene.
For immediate futures, we have be about to and be on the point of. Be about to is informal and indicates something is happening very, very soon: "Hold on, I'm about to send that email.
Be on the point of is more formal and often used for more significant or dramatic imminent events, suggesting a critical juncture:
The negotiations were on the point of breaking down when a new proposal emerged." Both express urgency but with different shades of formality and impact.
When discussing scheduled or planned events, especially those that are official or arranged, be due to and be set to come into play. Be due to implies an official timetable or expectation:
The flight is due to depart at 3 PM.
Be set to suggests that something has been prepared or arranged to happen, often with a sense of inevitability or high probability:
The company is set to announce its new strategy next week.
These are vital for professional and formal communication.
Finally, the Future Perfect Continuous is our duration tense. It focuses on how long an action will *have been happening* up to a specific point in the future. It highlights the ongoing nature of an activity leading up to a future deadline or event. For instance:
By next May, I will have been studying English for five years.
This tells us not just that you'll still be studying, but the total accumulated time of study *up to that point*.
These forms allow for incredible precision, moving you far beyond basic future statements.

الأخطاء الشائعة

  1. 1Confusing Future Continuous with Simple Future for specific future actions.
✗ At 8 PM, I will eat dinner. (Implies starting dinner at 8 PM)
✓ At 8 PM, I will be eating dinner. (Implies being in the *middle* of eating dinner at 8 PM)
*Explanation:* The Future Continuous emphasizes the action's ongoing nature at a particular future moment.
  1. 1Using 'will' for officially scheduled events instead of more precise forms.
✗ The conference will begin at 9 AM tomorrow.
✓ The conference is due to begin at 9 AM tomorrow. / The conference is set to begin at 9 AM tomorrow.
*Explanation:* 'Be due to' and 'be set to' add a layer of official scheduling or pre-arrangement that 'will' often lacks, making your statement more precise and formal.
  1. 1Incorrectly forming or using the Future Perfect Continuous when duration is key.
✗ By the end of the month, I will have finished my project for three weeks.
✓ By the end of the month, I will have been working on this project for three weeks.
*Explanation:* The Future Perfect Continuous specifically highlights the *duration* of an ongoing action leading up to a future point, emphasizing how long something has already been happening.

محادثات حقيقية

A

A

Hey, what are you doing next Saturday evening?
B

B

Oh, I can't meet up then. I'll be taking my final exam online. I'll probably be on the point of collapse from stress!
A

A

Oh no, good luck!
A

A

Did you hear about the new product launch?
B

B

Yes, I read about it. The company is set to unveil it at the tech fair, isn't it? It's due to happen on the 15th.
A

A

That's right! By then, they will have been developing it for almost two years.
A

A

Are you ready for your interview?
B

B

Almost! I'm just about to leave the house. I'm so nervous!
A

A

You'll do great!

أسئلة شائعة

Q

When should I use 'will be -ing' instead of a simple future with 'will' or 'going to'?

Use 'will be -ing' (Future Continuous) when you want to describe an action that will be *in progress* at a specific future time, or to talk about future arrangements as part of a general plan. It paints a picture of what's happening at that moment.

Q

What's the main difference between 'be about to' and 'be on the point of'?

'Be about to' is more common and informal, indicating immediate future action ("I'm about to call you"). 'Be on the point of' is more formal or dramatic, suggesting a critical moment or being right at the verge of a significant event (

The discovery was on the point of changing everything
).

Q

Can 'be set to' and 'be due to' be used interchangeably?

Often, but with a subtle difference. Both indicate scheduled events. 'Be due to' often implies an official or expected time based on a schedule (

The train is due to arrive
). 'Be set to' can imply a higher degree of certainty, preparation, or a predetermined plan, often with an emphasis on the outcome (
The team is set to win the championship
).

Q

Why is the Future Perfect Continuous considered an advanced tense?

It requires combining concepts of duration, completion, and future timing. It's advanced because it allows you to express how long an ongoing action *will have lasted* by a specific future point, showing not just an action, but its cumulative time up to that moment.

السياق الثقافي

Native English speakers use these advanced future forms constantly to add naturalness and precision to their speech. For instance, the Future Continuous is very common in everyday planning ("This evening, I'll be working late"). While 'be about to' is widely used informally for immediate actions, 'be on the point of' is less frequent in casual conversation and often appears in more formal or literary contexts to heighten drama.
Be due to and be set to are standard in news, business, and official announcements, making them essential for a professional tone. Mastering these allows B2 learners to sound much more integrated into diverse English-speaking environments.

أمثلة رئيسية (6)

1

I'm about to finish my coffee, then I'll be ready.

أنا على وشك إنهاء قهوتي، وبعدها سأكون جاهزاً.

المستقبل الوشيك: على وشك و على حافة
2

The train is about to depart, please stand clear of the doors.

القطار على وشك المغادرة، يرجى الابتعاد عن الأبواب.

المستقبل الوشيك: على وشك و على حافة
3

The train `is due to depart` at 6:30 AM.

من المقرر أن يغادر القطار في الساعة 6:30 صباحاً.

المستقبل المجدول (من المقرر أن، من المتوقع أن)
4

My project `is set to be finished` by Friday.

من المقرر أن ينتهي مشروعي بحلول يوم الجمعة.

المستقبل المجدول (من المقرر أن، من المتوقع أن)
5

By 6 PM, she `will have been waiting` for an hour.

Para las 6 PM, ella habrá estado esperando por una hora.

المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة
6

When you arrive, I `will have been working` on this report for three hours.

Cuando llegues, habré estado trabajando en este informe por tres horas.

المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة

نصائح وحيل (4)

💡

فكر في 'منتصف الحدث'

دايماً تخيل إنك في نص الفعل في تلك اللحظة المستقبلية، كأنها 'لقطة شاشة' لحدث مستمر:
I will be sleeping when you arrive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل المستمر (سيكون يفعل)
💡

فكر في 'الآن' فقط!

اربط دائماً هذه التعبيرات بالأحداث التي تفصلنا عنها لحظات فقط. إذا لم يكن الشيء سيحدث خلال ثوانٍ، فاستخدم المستقبل البسيط بدلاً منها. مثلاً:
The bus is about to arrive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل الوشيك: على وشك و على حافة
💡

تأكد من فعل 'be'!

وأنت بتكتب إيميل رسمي، تأكد إن فعل 'to be' (am, is, are) ماشي مع الفاعل. من الأخطاء الشائعة إنك تقول:
They is due to arrive
والصح هو:
They are due to arrive
.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل المجدول (من المقرر أن، من المتوقع أن)
💡

The 'For' Rule

If you are using 'for' to describe a duration in the future, check if you need the Future Perfect Continuous. It's the most reliable signal.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة

المفردات الرئيسية (7)

commence to start (formal) imminent about to happen duration the length of time something lasts milestone a significant stage or event anticipate to expect or predict provisional temporary or subject to change schedule a plan for carrying out a process

Real-World Preview

rocket

The Big Product Launch

Review Summary

  • will + be + [verb]-ing
  • be + about to + [verb]
  • be + due to + [verb]
  • will + have + been + [verb]-ing
  • was/were + going to + [verb]
  • When/As soon as + Present Simple/Perfect

أخطاء شائعة

In English, we never use 'will' in a time clause starting with when, as soon as, or until. Use the present simple instead.

Wrong: I will call you when I will arrive at the hotel.
صحيح: I will call you when I arrive at the hotel.

The Future Perfect Continuous requires the '-ing' form to show ongoing duration. 'Worked' is for the Future Perfect Simple.

Wrong: Next year, I will have been worked here for ten years.
صحيح: Next year, I will have been working here for ten years.

To talk about a specific past plan that changed, use 'was going to'. 'Would' is usually for hypothetical situations or past habits.

Wrong: I would go to the party, but I got sick.
صحيح: I was going to go to the party, but I got sick.

القواعد في هذا الفصل (6)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked some of the most sophisticated structures in the English language. Your ability to express time is now at a high-intermediate level. Keep practicing these in your daily conversations!

Write your 5-year career plan using at least 4 different future forms.

Listen to a news broadcast and identify instances of 'is due to' or 'is set to'.

تدريب سريع (10)

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

He said he will be here at 5.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He said he would be here at 5.
Reported speech requires backshifting.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: When I see him, I'll talk.
Standard time clause structure.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Time Clauses: When I Do vs. When I Have Done

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

I ___ (go) to the party, but I got sick.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was going to go
It was a past plan.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Identify the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

By next week, she will has been living here for a month.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will has
After 'will', we must use the base form 'have', never 'has'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة

Choose the best tense for the context.

I'm so tired! By the time I get home, I ___ for ten hours.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will have been working
The context emphasizes the duration and the cause of tiredness.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة

رتب الكلمات لتكوين جملة صحيحة.

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
هذا الترتيب يكون سؤالاً في زمن المستقبل المستمر عن حدث مستمر طوال فترة ما بعد الظهر.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل المستمر (سيكون يفعل)

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

By the time the guest arrives, I ___ (cook) for three hours.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will have been cooking
We need the Future Perfect Continuous to show the duration (three hours) up to a future point.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل التام المستمر: زمن المدة

اكتب الترجمة الإنجليزية الصحيحة.

Translate into English: 'What will you be watching on Netflix tonight?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
هذه الجملة تترجم كسؤال مهذب عن نشاط مستمر في المستقبل.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المستقبل المستمر (سيكون يفعل)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

After I will finish, I will go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will finish
Remove 'will' from the time clause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Time Clauses: When I Do vs. When I Have Done

Select the best fit.

I knew the project ___ succeed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would
Prediction in the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Score: /10

أسئلة شائعة (6)

الفكرة هي الكلام عن فعل هيكون 'في نص الحدوث' في وقت معين مستقبلاً. فكر فيها كأنها صورة لحدث شغال: "At 8 PM, I'll be eating dinner."
التركيبة بسيطة: فاعل + will + be + فعل + ing. مثلاً:
You will be studying
أو باختصار "You'll be studying".
تشير إلى فعل سيحدث في المستقبل القريب جداً، عادةً خلال ثوانٍ أو دقائق. فكر فيها كأنك تقول «على وشك»، مثل: "I'm about to hit send on this email."
تستخدم أيضاً للمستقبل الوشيك، ولكن بنبرة أكثر رسمية أو درامية، وتوحي بلحظة حرجة. مثلاً:
The company was on the point of closing down.
تُستخدم هذه العبارات للحديث عن أحداث مستقبلية تم التخطيط لها أو جدولتها بالفعل. هي تعطي شعوراً باليقين والترتيب المسبق، مثل:
The concert is set to begin at 8 PM
.
النمط بسيط: فاعل + فعل 'be' (am, is, are) + due to / set to + الفعل في المصدر. مثال على ذلك:
The report is due to be submitted
.