The document discusses different ways to talk about the future in English using will, going to, and the present continuous. It explains that going to is used for plans and intentions that have already been decided. The present continuous is used to emphasize future plans and arrangements. Will is used for instant decisions, promises, offers, and predictions. Examples are provided to illustrate the different uses.
2. Future Forms – future plans / intentions
be going to + base form
future plans and intentions
My sister is going to adopt a child.
Are you going to buy a car this weekend?
I’m not going to go to Canada next week.
predictions
I think they’re going to win. (They’re playing very well)
It’s going to rain. (The sky is very dark.)
Use going to (NOT will / won’t) when you have
already decided to do something.
3. Future Arrangements
Present continuous emphasizes that you have made
arrangements.
present continuous be + verb + -ing
future plans and arrangements
We’re getting married in October.
They’re meeting at 10:00.
She’s leaving on Friday.
You can usually use present continuous or going to
for future plans / arrangements
- going to shows that you have made a decision.
4. Instant decisions, promises, offers,
and predictions
Use will / won’t for instant decisions, promises, and offers.
You can also use will or going to for predictions.
I’ll have the steak. (instant decision)
I won’t tell anybody where you are. (promise)
I’ll carry that bag for you. (offer)
You’ll love the movie! (prediction)
5. Try These:
If this cold weather continues, the news says
we’re having / we will have / we’re going to
have a blizzard.
Keith is going to have / will have / had a meeting
with the teacher later today.
A: I don’t know how to do the online assignment.
B: Don’t worry, I’ll help / I’m going to help / I
is helping you.
6. Try These:
If this cold weather continues, the news says
we’re having / we will have / we’re going to
have a blizzard.
Keith is going to have / will have / is having a
meeting with the teacher later today.
A: I don’t know how to do the online assignment.
B: Don’t worry, I’ll help / I’m going to help / I
am helping you.
7. Try Some More:
1. By the end of this month, we ________ to our new
house, so you can come and stay after that.
2. At this time tomorrow my parents _________
over the Pacific on their way to Canada!
3. It’s been raining all day, but hopefully it _______
by tomorrow. We were planning on hiking.
4. Hopefully, you ________ (read) the book I lent
you by the next time we see each other.
5. Within a year, they _________ (build) the new
road, and we’ll be able to get to school much quicker.
8. Try Some More:
1. By the end of this month, we are going to build our
new house, so you can come and stay after that.
2. At this time tomorrow my parents are going to fly
over the Pacific on their way to Canada!
3. It’s been raining all day, but hopefully it is going to
stop / will stop by tomorrow. We were planning on
hiking.
4. Hopefully, you will read the book I lent you by the
next time we see each other.
5. Within a year, they will build / are going to build
the new road, and we’ll be able to get to school much more
quickly.