UNIT 5

GRAMMAR

Future forms

There is not one future tense in English. Instead, there are several verb forms that can refer to future time. Sometimes several forms are possible to express a future meaning such as:

I. Prediction.

Will.

a) The most common use of will is as an auxiliary verb to show future time. It expresses a future fact or prediction – at some time in the future this event will happen. This use is uncoloured by ideas such as intention, decision, arrangement, willingness, etc. This is the nearest English has to a neutral, pure future tense.

e.g. I’ll be thirty in a few days’ time. You’ll feel better if you take this medicine.

b) will for a prediction can be based more on an opinion than a fact or evidence. It is often found with expressions such as I think…, I hope…, I’m sure…

e.g. I think Labour will win the next election. I’m sure you’ll pass your exam.

Going to.

Going to can express a prediction based on a present fact. There is evidence now that something is sure to happen. We can see the future from the present.

e.g. Look at the sky! It’s going to be a lovely day.

We use going to when we have physical evidence to support our prediction.

e.g. Liverpool are going to win. (It’s 4-0, and there are only 5 minutes left.)

We can use will when there is no such outside evidence. Our prediction is based on our own personal opinion. It can be more theoretical and abstract.

e.g. I reckon Liverpool will win. (Said the day before the match.)

II. Decisions, intentions and arrangements.

Will.

Will is used to express a spontaneous decision or intention made at the moment of speaking.

e.g. I’ll phone you back in a minute.

Going to.

Going to is used to express a future plan, decision, or intention made before the moment of speaking.

e.g. When she grows up, she’s going to be a ballet dancer. We are going to get married in the spring.

NB! In a formal style we use will rather than going to to talk about future events that have been previously arranged in some detail.

e.g. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Refreshments will be available from 8.30 onwards.

Present Continuous.

The Present Continuous is used to express personal arrangements and fixed plans (especially social and travel arrangements) when the time and place have been decided.

e.g. I’m having lunch with Brian tomorrow.

The Present Continuous is used to refer to arrangements between people. It is not used to refer to events that people can’t control.

e.g. It’s going to rain this afternoon (NOT It’s raining this afternoon).

Present Simple.

We can often use either the Present Simple or will to talk about future events that are part of some timetabled or programmed arrangement or routine. However, we prefer the Present Simple for fixed, unchangeable events:

e.g. Does/ will the sale finish on Thursday or Friday? BUT The sun rises (the train leaves) at 5.16 tomorrow.

NB! We normally use the Present Simple, not will in time clauses (with conjunctions such as after, before, by the time, when, while, until, as soon as), and in conditional clauses (with conjunctions such as if, in case, provided, suppose, unless, etc.)

e.g. I’ll let you know when I decide.

If you call her, give her my regards.

Remember, however, that when when is used as a question word (not as a time word), we use future forms.

e.g. I’m not sure when they will visit us.

We also use future forms with if (=whether) when it is used after expressions which show ignorance, uncertainty, doubt, etc. such as I don’t know, I wonder, I doubt, etc.

e.g. I don’t know if/whether he’ll move house.

I doubt if/whether she’ll pass her exams.

Future Continuous.

The Future Continuous expresses an activity that will be in progress before and after a time in the future. Often it is the result of a previous decision or arrangement.

e.g. When it goes into orbit, the spacecraft will be carrying 30 kilos of plutonium.

We can also use the Future Continuous to talk about a future activity that is part of the normal course of events or that one of a repeated or regular series of events.

e.g. Dr Jones will be giving the same talk in room 103 at 10.00 next Thursday.

NB! When we don’t want to indicate willingness, intention, invitation, etc., we prefer to use the Future Continuous instead of will. For example, if guests have stayed longer than you wanted, and you don’t know when they are leaving, you might ask:

e.g. Will you be staying with us again tonight? (asking about their plans) rather than Will you stay with us again tonight? (they might think this is an invitation).