1 Talking about future is inevitable in our
daily conversations. However, as a student of English you must be aware of what kind of future you are talking about. For example, are you talking about a plan or do you just want to make a prediction or are you just making an offer, or still something else. Well, yes, depending on such criteria you have to use a specific future tense.
1. PRESENT SIMPLE AS A FUTURE TENSE
A) Use this for scheduled or programmed events. • The class starts at 7.30 tomorrow morning. • The film finishes at 11.00 pm.
• The train arrives at midnight tomorrow. • The exhibition opens next week.
• Schools close in two weeks.
• The plane departs from the new airport tonight.
• When does the last train leave the station tomorrow? • I have a very important exam next week.
• There is a maths quiz tomorrow. B) Use it in time clauses too.
• I will pay your money when you finish the job. • When I meet him, I will the truth.
• I will let you know as soon as I hear from him. • I won’t leave the office until I finish my work.
• The day you finish your school, we will go out to celebrate. • You won’t drive your car again once you ride a motorcycle.
2 2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS AS A FUTURE TENSE
Use this for an arrangement, which usually involves
2
sides: an arrangement between2
people or a person and an organization. So to talk about your appointments, travel and holiday plans this is your tense !• I am meeting my girlfriend after work. • She is seeing the dentist next week. • We are flying to the USA tomorrow. • I am going to Australia this summer. • They are getting married in June.
• I am having dinner with Suzie on Saturday.
• What are you doing tonight ? ( Have you made a plan with anybody? Probably my next question will be a suggestion to do something together.)
3. AM/IS/ARE GOING TO AS A FUTURE TENSE
A) Use this tense to talk about your intentions. A decision you make after a careful thought. Resolutions ( a promise to yourself)
• He is going to buy a new phone. • I am going to learn English.
• They are going to move house. • I am going to stop smoking. • I am going to lose weight.
B) Use this tense to make predictions based on evidence when you refer to a logical consequence. The prediction is about immediate future.
• Do you see those black clouds? It is going to rain. • Look at the time. We are going to be late.
• He hasn’t studied at all. He is going to fail the test. • She is going to have a baby.
3 4. WILL AS A FUTURE TENSE
A) Use this tense to talk about instant, spontaneous decisions.
• -I am afraid your CV is illegible. -Oh, sorry about that. I will fax it gain.
• -We haven’t got a record of your payment yet. -Haven’t you? I will check with my bank.
B) Use this tense to talk about personal predictions and beliefs about the future. Especially when they are about distant, long-term predictions.
• I think robots will take over the control of our world one day. • The world will come to an end in 100 years.
• This product will be very popular soon.
• I think we will be the champion of the league.
C) Use this tense to show that you are willing to do something and want to offer help.
• I will lend you money. Don’t worry.
• I will copy those for you. You can go to your meeting. • I will carry your suitcases. They look too heavy for you. D) Use this tense to make promises.
• Okay. It is a secret between us. I won’t tell anybody. • I will never forget to do my homework again.
• Trust me. I will be there. E) Use this tense to make threats.
• If you so much as touch her hair, I will make you pay dearly. • Do it again and I will leave this place.
4 F) Use this tense for future facts, which are not influenced by your decision.
• I will be 40 years old next year.
• The sun will rise and set again tomorrow.
G) Use this tense when you do the shopping and when you are in restaurants ordering food or drinks.
• I will have this book please.
5 PRESENT CONTINUOUS VS GOING TO
• I am buying a new phone.
= I have decided to buy a phone. My money is ready. I know the model, the place to buy it from. I’ve arranged everything.
• I am going to buy a new phone.
= I want to buy a new phone. I have decided on that.
• What are you doing this evening ?
= Have you got any arrangements, obligations ? Are you free, available for what I am about to suggest doing?
• What are you going to do this evening ?
= What do you want to do this evening ? What are your plans ? A neutral question.
Avoid using “come and go” with going to.
With these two verbs prefer using PRESENT CONTINUOUS to using GOING TO. Otherwise it will just sound unnatural.
• I am going to go to London next week. ( not natural ) =I am going to London next week. ( better )
6 GOING TO VS WILL
Are you offering help or are you demanding to do something? I am going to help you with your English.
=I already knew you have had a hard time and I thought about long enough before I finally decided to help you. I know what to do about this problem.
I will help you with your English.
=I’ve just learned that you are having a problem with your English and I am trying to comfort you now. I am just offering my help. I am showing that I am willing to do this for you.
Be careful ! if you use going to in the wrong context. You might sound awkward or even rude.
“I am going to help you” could also mean “This is my right. I am demanding it or I have to help you and I am complaining about this.
Stick with “going to” to talk about plans. Otherwise your sentence will end up with unwanted connotations.
I am going to buy some new shoes on Sunday. = I want to buy shoes on Sunday. I have a plan.
I will buy some new shoes on Sunday.
= You have been telling me to buy new shoes. So I’ve had it enough and say this sentence to you angrily.
She says she is going to be a doctor.
= This is her intention. This is something she can achieve in the near future.
She says she will be a doctor.
= there is a hint of disbelief. This sounds like a dream in the distant future.
7 1) Match the function of the language with the correct tense.
promise – arrangement – instant decision – intention – prediction 1. I am going to travel around the world before I start university. 2. I wonder where he still is. I will call him and see what is going on. 3. I don’t think the car will be ready until Monday at the earliest. 4. Please forgive me for this time. It won’t happen again.
5. We are celebrating his promotion in a café tomorrow. 2) What would you say in the following dialogues ?
1. You have arranged it; your holiday destination is Hawaii. A. Have you decided where to go?
B. Yes. I ……… 2. You have got an appointment with the doctor for Monday.
A. Why don’t we have breakfast on Monday morning and spend the rest of the day together?
B. I am sorry I can’t. I ………. 3. You have decided to learn how to dive on your holiday but
haven’t made any arrangements yet. A. What are your plans for your holiday?
B. I ……… 4. You are leaving work with a colleague who happens to be living
on your way home.
A. I am going to take the bus home today. My car was broken down yesterday.
B. Don’t be silly. I ………
5. You and your friend are chatting a day before he goes on holiday. You want to make good wishes to him.
A. So my plane departs tomorrow morning. B. I hope you ………
8
3. Choose the correct option
1. – I need a drink. – OK. I will get / I am getting you one.
2. – You look sick. – I know I will see / I am seeing the doctor tomorrow morning at
7.45
3. -Have you visited Ann yet. You know she is in hospital. – Oh, I forgot, I will visit / I am going to visit her first thing tomorrow.
4. I told you I can’t meet you guys tomorrow evening. I will have / I am having my friends over.
5. I’m sorry I cheated in the exam, Mr. Harvey. I won’t do / I’m not going to do that again.
6. Be patient, son. When I will have / I have enough money, I will buy you a new bicycle.
7. – Oh dear, I’ve overcooked the steaks. I mean, they are pretty much burnt ! -Never mind. We’re going to order / we will order something from a restaurant. I should have the number somewhere here.
8. -What would you like to eat ? – I will have / I am having some lentil soup please.
9. What are you doing / are you going to do tomorrow night
?
– Nothing why? – Then, let’s get together and do something, you and our old friends.10. What time does the match start / will the match start tonight
