The Future - revision

A What would you say in these situations? Use the correct form of the future.

1. You intend to go to Australia for your holiday next year.
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2. You have already arranged to meet your sister this evening.
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3. At this time tomorrow you expect to be in the process of walking to school.
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4. The weather has become very cold and the sky has turned black. This means snow very soon.
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5. You’ve looked at the train timetable for the weekend. It says the departure time of your train is 7.15 
    in the morning.
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6. After your exams have finished your plan is to travel round the world on a motorbike.
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7. There is a strong possibility of a rise in the price of food next year. This is your prediction.
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8. Your plane is scheduled to land at 11.15 at night.
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The future

There are many ways of talking about future time in English.
This is a summary of the most common forms and their uses.

1 Present continuous
  The present continuous is used to future actions or events which have already been arranged.
  Are you doing anything interesting at the weekend?
  We’re spending the summer with our friends in Greece.

2 Will                                              
A Will + infinitive (future simple)
  The will future is used to talk about:
•	future facts
The sun will rise at 6.30 tomorrow morning.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
•	predictions or expectations
Helen won’t be here on time. She’s always late.
•	strong intentions
When Ann retires, I’ll definitely apply for her job.
•	instant decisions about the immediate future
The phone’s ringing. I’ll answer it.

B Will + be a –ing
This form is used to talk about:
•	events or actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future
This time tomorrow, I’ll be travelling through France.
•	predicted or expected trends
In the 21st century, people will be living to the age of 120.

3 Going to + infinitive
  This is used to talk about
•	intentions or plans
After Christmas, I’m going to get a job and save up.
•	predictions based on present evidence or knowledge
My sister’s going to have a baby.

4 Present simple
   This tense is used to talk about scheduled, timetabled or fixed events.
   The match starts at 7.30 tomorrow evening.

Practice

B Underline the best form.

1  Ann is going to / will have a baby.
2  Perhaps I will see / am seeing you again one day.
3  ‘There’s someone at the door.’ ‘I go / I’ll go’.
4  I promise I tell / I’ll tell you tomorrow.
5  I will see/ am seeing the doctor tomorrow at 10.30.
6  Look – Joe is going to / will show us something interesting.
7  ‘I don’t want to drive.’ ‘OK. I’m going to/ I’ll drive.
8  ‘Shall we go out?’ ‘No, I’ll / I’m going to wash my clothes.’

C  Match the pairs.

1  We’re going to Korea next month.                               a  I think it’s going to be hot.
2  It’s a beautiful morning, with no clouds.                        b  It’ll probably be hot.

3  She’s always late.                                                      a  She probably won’t be here on time today.
4  She phoned to say her bus didn’t come.                     b  She isn’t going to be here on time.

5  Our football team is really good.                                 a  I’m sure we’ll win today’s match.
6  It’s 6 : 1, with only 10 minutes to play.                         b  We’re going to win the match.

7  I’ve seen this film before. I know the ending.               a  Maybe she’ll marry the doctor.
8  It’s a great film. How will it end?                                  b She’s going to marry the doctor.

9  How many children are you going to have?                 a   I don’t know. Ask me again in 10 year’s time.
10  How many children will you have?                             b  Two. Next month.