B2 · Obere Mittelstufe Kapitel 13

Looking Ahead: Advanced Future Forms

6 Gesamtregeln
58 Beispiele
7 Min.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel Schnelle Übung

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.

Was du lernen wirst

Ready to talk about the future with amazing precision? This chapter unlocks natural ways to discuss ongoing actions, like what you'll *be doing* next weekend, and durations leading up to future moments. You'll sound incredibly confident and advanced!

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'.

Kapitel-Leitfaden

Overview

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!

How This Grammar Works

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.

Common Mistakes

  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.

Real Conversations

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!

Quick FAQ

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.

Cultural Context

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.

Wichtige Beispiele (8)

1

This time tomorrow, we will be flying over the Atlantic.

Morgen um diese Zeit werden wir über den Atlantik fliegen.

Future Continuous (will be -ing)
2

She won't be answering her phone during the meeting.

Sie wird während des Meetings nicht an ihr Telefon gehen.

Future Continuous (will be -ing)
3

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

Ich trinke gerade meinen Kaffee aus, dann bin ich bereit.

Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'
4

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

Der Zug fährt gleich ab, bitte halten Sie sich von den Türen fern.

Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'
5

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

Der Zug soll planmäßig um 6:30 Uhr abfahren.

Geplante Zukunft (fällig sein, bereit sein)
6

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

Mein Projekt soll bis Freitag fertiggestellt sein.

Geplante Zukunft (fällig sein, bereit sein)
7

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

Bis 18 Uhr wird sie seit einer Stunde gewartet haben.

Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform
8

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

Wenn du ankommst, werde ich seit drei Stunden an diesem Bericht gearbeitet haben.

Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform

Tipps & Tricks (4)

💡

Denk an 'Mitten drin'

Visualisiere eine Handlung, die zu einem zukünftigen Zeitpunkt bereits läuft. Es ist wie ein Schnappschuss eines Prozesses:
In an hour, I will be cooking dinner.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Continuous (will be -ing)
💡

Denk an 'Jetzt gleich'!

Verknüpfe be about to und be on the point of immer mit Ereignissen, die nur Augenblicke entfernt sind. Wenn es nicht in den nächsten Sekunden passiert, sind diese Phrasen nicht ideal: "If it's not happening in the next few seconds, these aren't the right phrases."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'
💡

Check dein 'be'-Verb!

Achte immer darauf, dass die Form von 'to be' (am, is, are) perfekt zu deinem Subjekt passt. Ein klassischer Stolperstein:
They are due to arrive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Geplante Zukunft (fällig sein, bereit sein)
💡

Achte auf Zeitmarker

Phrasen wie by the time, for oder since sind klare Hinweise, dass du diese Zeitform brauchst. Sie helfen dir, den zukünftigen Zeitpunkt zu fixieren:
By the time we arrive, they will have been waiting for an hour.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform

Wichtige Vokabeln (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

Häufige Fehler

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.
Richtig: 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.
Richtig: 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.
Richtig: I was going to go to the party, but I got sick.

Regeln in diesem Kapitel (6)

1

Future Continuous (will be -ing)

B2
Nutze das Future Continuous für alles, was zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt in der Zukunft gerade im Gange ist. Deine Werkzeuge sind will be, ongoing actions und polite inquiries.
This time tomorrow, we will be flying over the Atl...
12 Beispiele
2

Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'

B2
Diese Phrasen sind deine Geheimwaffe für Dinge, die JETZT gleich passieren. Nutze be about to für den Alltag und
be on the point of
für das große Drama!
I'm about to finish my coffee, then I'll be ready.
12 Beispiele
3

Geplante Zukunft (fällig sein, bereit sein)

B2
Nutze be due to oder be set to für fest geplante Events, damit dein Zeitplan richtig professionell klingt! official schedule, fixed plans, high certainty.
The train `is due to depart` at 6:30 AM.
12 Beispiele
4

Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform

B2
Diese Zeitform hebt die Dauer einer Handlung bis zu einem bestimmten Moment in der Zukunft hervor: duration, future point, ongoing action.
By 6 PM, she `will have been waiting` for an hour.
12 Beispiele
5

Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

B2
Future in the past describes what was expected, planned, or predicted from a past point of view. Use was/were going to, would, was about to, and was due to.
5 Beispiele
6

Future Time Clauses: When I Do vs. When I Have Done

B2
After future time conjunctions (when, before, after, until, as soon as, once), use present simple or present perfect — never will. Use present perfect when one action must be completed before the next.
5 Beispiele

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'.

Continue to: Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands

Schnelle Übung (10)

Vervollständige den Satz mit der richtigen Form des Future Perfect Continuous.

By next year, I ___ (learn) English for five years.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will have been learning
Die Phrase 'for five years' deutet auf eine Dauer bis 'next year' hin, daher ist das Future Perfect Continuous korrekt.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform

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

Wähle die richtige Form, um den Satz zu vervollständigen.

The concert ____ to start at 7 PM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is set
Das Subjekt 'The concert' ist Singular, also brauchen wir die Einzahl von 'be', nämlich 'is'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Geplante Zukunft (fällig sein, bereit sein)

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

She is on the point to leave for her interview.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is on the point of leaving for her interview.
Bei 'on the point of' nutzen wir immer das Gerundium (-ing), nicht den Infinitiv.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'

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

Fill in the correct verb form.

When I ___ (arrive), I will call you.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: arrive
Present simple is required in time clauses.

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

Fill in the blank.

We ___ (visit) London, but we went to Rome instead.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: were going to visit
Past intention that didn't happen.

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

Welcher Satz nutzt das Future Perfect Continuous korrekt?

Wähle den richtigen Satz:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: At 8 PM, we will have been watching the movie for an hour.
Die korrekte Form ist 'will have been + Verb-ing'. Option A nutzt das falsche Partizip, Option C vergisst 'have'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Perfect Continuous: Die Dauerform

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

Wähle die richtige Form, um den Satz zu vervollständigen.

The meeting ___ to start in five minutes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is about
Das Subjekt 'meeting' ist Singular, also nutzen wir 'is'. Die Phrase lautet 'is about to'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unmittelbare Zukunft: 'Be About To' & 'Be On The Point Of'

Score: /10

Häufige Fragen (6)

Man nutzt es für Handlungen, die zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt in der Zukunft gerade ablaufen. Denk an einen Schnappschuss: "At 8 PM, I'll be eating dinner."
Die Struktur ist simpel: Subjekt + will + be + Hauptverb + -ing. Zum Beispiel:
You will be studying
oder kurz "You'll be studying".
Be about to zeigt an, dass etwas in der allernächsten Zukunft passiert, meist in Sekunden oder Minuten. Denk an 'kurz davor sein', wie bei: "I'm about to hit send on this email."
Das nutzt du auch für die unmittelbare Zukunft, aber oft mit einem dramatischeren oder förmlicheren Unterton. Zum Beispiel:
The company was on the point of closing down.
Wir nutzen diese Phrasen für Zukünftiges, das bereits fest geplant oder offiziell terminiert ist. Es klingt viel sicherer als ein vages Versprechen, wie bei:
The concert is set to begin at 8 PM.
Ganz einfach: Subjekt + Form von 'be' (am, is, are) + due to / set to + Grundform des Verbs. Beispiel:
The report is due to be submitted.
Vorheriges Kapitel
Telling Stories: Past Habits and Narrative Tenses
Nächstes Kapitel
Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands
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