FutureFutureGrammarGrammar Guide Guide

IntroductionIntroduction

There are several ways to use verbs There are several ways to use verbs to talk about the future in English. to talk about the future in English.

This isThis is a complicated area of grammara complicated area of grammar: : the differencesthe differences between the meanings between the meanings and uses of the different structures and uses of the different structures are not are not easy to analyse and describe clearlyeasy to analyse and describe clearly..

In many, but not all situations, two or more In many, but not all situations, two or more structures are possible.structures are possible.

IntroductionIntroduction

The choice of form often depends on The choice of form often depends on whether we arewhether we are::

1.1. making a predictionmaking a prediction → → WILL + VERBWILL + VERB2.2. expressing an intentionexpressing an intention

→ → TOTO BE GOING TOBE GOING TO + VERB+ VERB3.3. talking about an arrangementtalking about an arrangement

→ → Present ContinuousPresent Continuous (TO BE + V-ING)(TO BE + V-ING)

1. 1. PredictionsPredictions

We use We use the future simplethe future simple WILL WILL + verb+ verbWON’TWON’Tto talk about predictions which are based on to talk about predictions which are based on guesswork, analysis or guesswork, analysis or judgementjudgement. .

We’ll still be here in twenty years.We’ll still be here in twenty years.Will interest rates rise in the next few weeks?Will interest rates rise in the next few weeks?Tomorrow will be warm, with some cloud.Tomorrow will be warm, with some cloud.

1. 1. PredictionsPredictions

We often use will to predict an event which We often use will to predict an event which we think will happen because similar we think will happen because similar events have happened in the past:events have happened in the past:

He’ll be in prison for a long time.He’ll be in prison for a long time. ((= = Similar crimes have attracted long sentences.)Similar crimes have attracted long sentences.)

The laptop battery will give you about two The laptop battery will give you about two hours’ continuous use.hours’ continuous use.

((= = This is what previous batteries have done.)This is what previous batteries have done.)

Decisions at the moment of speakingDecisions at the moment of speaking

We often use the future simple to talk We often use the future simple to talk about a decision made at the time of about a decision made at the time of speaking:speaking:

Oh, our guests are here. I’ll go and sort Oh, our guests are here. I’ll go and sort out some drinks for them.out some drinks for them.

You look tired. I’ll cook dinner tonightYou look tired. I’ll cook dinner tonight..

shallshall Especially in formal BrE used in 1st person singular and Especially in formal BrE used in 1st person singular and

pluralplural instead of instead of willwill : : I shallI shall / / we shall we shall (sounds old-(sounds old-fashioned)fashioned)

Shall I / Shall we...?Shall I / Shall we...?in spoken BrE used to make a suggestion, or ask a in spoken BrE used to make a suggestion, or ask a question that question that you want the other person to decide you want the other person to decide aboutabout::

Shall I open the window?Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)(= Do you want me to open the window?)

Shall we say 6 o'clock, then?Shall we say 6 o'clock, then? What shall I get for dinner?What shall I get for dinner?

2. 2. IntentionsIntentions

We use We use BE GOING TO + BE GOING TO + VERBVERBfor intentions for intentions – – for actions that have for actions that have alreadyalready been been decided ondecided on, , plans plans previouslypreviously mademade for the future: for the future:

He is going to study environmental law He is going to study environmental law next year.next year.

I'm going to buy a new car soon.I'm going to buy a new car soon.

2. 2. IntentionsIntentions

We usually avoid We usually avoid BE GOING TO + BE GOING TO + VERBVERB with the verbs with the verbs gogo and and comecome::

I'm going home now. Are you coming?I'm going home now. Are you coming?

I'm going to go home now. Are you going I'm going to go home now. Are you going to come?to come?

Present evidence to predict Present evidence to predict futurefuture

We also use We also use BE GOING TO + VERBBE GOING TO + VERB to predict to predict the future on the basis of the future on the basis of present evidencepresent evidence – to – to say that a future action or event is on the way, or say that a future action or event is on the way, or starting to happen (the prediction is often about starting to happen (the prediction is often about the near future):the near future):

Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain.Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain.

Look out! You’re going to spill the wine!Look out! You’re going to spill the wine!

3. 3. ArrangementArrangement

We use the We use the present continuouspresent continuous AM / IS / ARE + V-INGAM / IS / ARE + V-INGto talk about to talk about personal arrangementspersonal arrangements and fixed and fixed plans, especially when the time and place have plans, especially when the time and place have been decided and we have made some form of been decided and we have made some form of commitmentcommitment::

I'm playing tennis with John tomorrow.I'm playing tennis with John tomorrow.

We’re seeing Larry on Saturday.We’re seeing Larry on Saturday.

3. 3. ArrangementArrangement

We’re seeing a musical at the theatre next We’re seeing a musical at the theatre next week.week. (= We’ve got the tickets.)(= We’ve got the tickets.)

Compare this with the use of be going to:Compare this with the use of be going to:

We’re going to see a musical at the We’re going to see a musical at the theatre sometime next week.theatre sometime next week.

((= = not arranged yet; the focus is on our intentionnot arranged yet; the focus is on our intention, , planplan))

SummarySummary

CompareCompare:: I'll I'll visitvisit my family. my family.

(= prediction or decision at the moment of (= prediction or decision at the moment of speaking)speaking)

I'm going to visit my family this summer.I'm going to visit my family this summer. (= my future plan, intention)(= my future plan, intention)

I'm meeting my family at 6.00.I'm meeting my family at 6.00. (= a fixed arrangement involving other people: (= a fixed arrangement involving other people: my family, they know about it)my family, they know about it)

SummarySummary

CompareCompare:: I'll get a new job one day.I'll get a new job one day.

(= I think it will happen.)(= I think it will happen.) I'm going to get a new job.I'm going to get a new job.

(= I have decided to start looking for it. I can’t (= I have decided to start looking for it. I can’t stand my boss any longer.)stand my boss any longer.)

I'm getting a new job.I'm getting a new job. (= I have arranged an interview for tomorrow.)(= I have arranged an interview for tomorrow.)

SummarySummary

Compare:Compare: I'll get married one day.I'll get married one day.

(= I think it will happen.)(= I think it will happen.) I'm going to marry this girl/boy.I'm going to marry this girl/boy.

(= I have just met a wonderful person and I think (= I have just met a wonderful person and I think he/she is my ideal spouse. I express my he/she is my ideal spouse. I express my intention.)intention.)

I'm getting married on Saturday.I'm getting married on Saturday. (= Everything is arranged for our wedding.)(= Everything is arranged for our wedding.)

SummarySummary

CompareCompare:: Don’t lend him your car. He’s a terrible Don’t lend him your car. He’s a terrible

driver – he will crash it.driver – he will crash it.

(= prediction based on speaker’s knowledge)(= prediction based on speaker’s knowledge)

Look out – we are going to crash.Look out – we are going to crash. (= There is outside evidence.)(= There is outside evidence.)

SummarySummary

CompareCompare:: Alice is going to have a baby.Alice is going to have a baby.

(= present evidence – she is pregnant)(= present evidence – she is pregnant)

The baby will certainly have blue eyes, The baby will certainly have blue eyes, because both parents have.because both parents have. (= speaker thinks it will be like that(= speaker thinks it will be like that,, basing the basing the opinion on the knowledge about genetics)opinion on the knowledge about genetics)

SummarySummary

Compare:Compare: I’m seeing Janet on Tuesday.I’m seeing Janet on Tuesday.

(= arrangement, she knows about it, we have (= arrangement, she knows about it, we have discussed it)discussed it)

I wonder if she will recognise me.I wonder if she will recognise me.

(= prediction, I guess, think, believe, there is no (= prediction, I guess, think, believe, there is no present reference)present reference)

Try to use Try to use

the correct structure the correct structure

while expressing the while expressing the future! future!

Are you going to visit relatives this Are you going to visit relatives this weekend?weekend?

Yes, I am. / No, I am not.Yes, I am. / No, I am not.

John is going to visit relatives this John is going to visit relatives this weekend and so am I.weekend and so am I.

Mike is going to have a business lunch Mike is going to have a business lunch next week but I am not.next week but I am not.

In the 2020sIn the 2020s

Choose Choose fivefive prompts and write questions prompts and write questions based on them:based on them:

Do you think people will have more free Do you think people will have more free time in the 2020s?time in the 2020s?

In the 2020sIn the 2020s

Ask questions, listen to the answers and Ask questions, listen to the answers and make notes:make notes:

AnswersAnswers NotesNotes Yes, definitely.Yes, definitely. →→ Yes, probably.Yes, probably. →→ Maybe.Maybe. →→ ?? No, probably not.No, probably not. →→ No, definitely not.No, definitely not. →→

In the 2020sIn the 2020s

Do you think people will have more free Do you think people will have more free time in the 2020s?time in the 2020s? / / / / ?? / /

AnswersAnswers NotesNotes Yes, definitely.Yes, definitely. →→ Yes, probably.Yes, probably. →→ Maybe.Maybe. →→ ?? No, probably not.No, probably not. →→ No, definitely not.No, definitely not. →→

In the 2020sIn the 2020s

Sum up the survey by writing sentences:Sum up the survey by writing sentences:

Five students think that people Five students think that people

will definitelywill definitely

will probablywill probably

mightmight havehave more free time in more free time in the the

probably won’tprobably won’t 2020s. 2020s.

definitely won’tdefinitely won’t

In the 2020sIn the 2020s … …

I think China will definitely be the most I think China will definitely be the most powerful country.powerful country.

I think a woman will probably become the I think a woman will probably become the president of Poland.president of Poland.

I think people might have cure for cancer. I think people might have cure for cancer. I think people probably won’t live on Mars.I think people probably won’t live on Mars. I think students definitely won’t have robot I think students definitely won’t have robot

teachers.teachers.

In the 2020sIn the 2020s

Can you now make a few predictions Can you now make a few predictions about your future:about your future:

In the 2020s I will definitely be a In the 2020s I will definitely be a millionaire. I probably won’t live in Poland. millionaire. I probably won’t live in Poland. I might have a castle in Scotland. I might have a castle in Scotland.

Write sentences. Use the correct future form.Write sentences. Use the correct future form.

1. 1. I / think / I / think / it / it / be sunny tomorrow.be sunny tomorrow.I think it will be sunny tomorrow.I think it will be sunny tomorrow.

2. 2. That man / crash his car!That man / crash his car!That man is going to crash his car!That man is going to crash his car!

3. 3. I / do the shopping for you?I / do the shopping for you?Shall I do the shopping for you?Shall I do the shopping for you?

4.4. Liz / meet Johnny tonight.Liz / meet Johnny tonight.Liz is meeting Johnny tonight.Liz is meeting Johnny tonight.

5.5. We’ve decided we / buy a new car.We’ve decided we / buy a new car. We’ve decided we are going to buy a new car.We’ve decided we are going to buy a new car.

Write sentences. Use the correct future form.Write sentences. Use the correct future form.

6.6. Harry / break anything you give him.Harry / break anything you give him.Harry will break anything you give himHarry will break anything you give him..

7.7. Watch out! You / fall off that ladder!Watch out! You / fall off that ladder!Watch out! You are going to fall off that ladder!Watch out! You are going to fall off that ladder!

8.8. Jess can’t come. She / play squash with Joe.Jess can’t come. She / play squash with Joe.Jess can’t come. She is playing squash with Joe.Jess can’t come. She is playing squash with Joe.

9.9. I’ve decided I / cook some fish today.I’ve decided I / cook some fish today.I’ve decided I am going to cook some fish today.I’ve decided I am going to cook some fish today.

10.10. In the future people / spend their holidays on space In the future people / spend their holidays on space stations.stations.In the future people will spend their holidays on space In the future people will spend their holidays on space stations.stations.

NEF NEF Pre-intPre-int. 3C. 3C

keep a promisekeep a promisebreak a promisebreak a promise

Find and underline these words:Find and underline these words:

either / eternal / injection / journey either / eternal / injection / journey / plumber / research // plumber / research /