Ways of referring to Future

1.Future Indefinite is used:

1. to talk about things we are not sure about or we haven't decided yet. I'll probably buy a new car. (I'm not sure yet.)

2. to express hopes, fears, threats, on-the-spot decisions, offers, promises, warnings, predictions,comments etc. especially with: expect, hope, believe, I'm afraid, I'm sure, I know, I think, probably etc. I think it will be sunny tomorrow, (prediction)

3. to express a prediction or a future action or event which may or may not happen. I think you will pass the test, (prediction) He will be twenty next year, (future event) She will probably phone later, (prediction)

Will is used to express predictions, warnings, offers, promises, threats, requests, suggestions, on-the-spot decisions, opinions, hopes and fears (especially with words such as: think, expect, suppose, hope, believe, know and probably). I expect she will come early, (prediction)

2. To be going to

Be going to is used:

to talk about things we are sure about or we have already decided to do in the near future. I'm going to buy a new car. (I've decided it.)

2. to express intention and plans. Now that I've got the money, I'm going to buy a new dress, (intention) I'm going to get some more training so I can get a better job. (plan)

3. when we can see (evidence) that something is going to happen. Watch out! We're going to have an accident. (We can see a car coming.) It's going to rain. (We can see dark clouds in the sky).

We use Present Cont. rather than “be going to” for things which are definitely arranged to happen in the future. They are having a party next week. (It’s all arranged, invitations have already been sent). They are going to have a party in two weeks. (They’ve decided it, but it hasn’t been arranged yet).

3. Present Continuous

1. Fixed arrangements (travel or social)

I am coming by 6 o’clock train.

We are having a conference tomorrow.

4. Future Continuous

1. Event which will be happening at a future point

Come round in the morning. I’ll be painting the kitchen.

2. Events which are going to happen anyway either we want them or not

I won’t bother to fix a time to see you, because I’ll be calling into the office anyway several times next week.

3. More polite than will

Will you be going to the shops later?

4. Fixed arrangements and plans

The band will be performing in Paris this summer.

5. Future Perfect

1. Refers to time which we look back at from a future point

In two years’ time I’ll have finished this book.

2. Assumption on the part of the speaker

You won’t have heard the news, of course.= I assume you have not heard the news.

6. Present Simple

1. Time clauses

I’ll go for a walk as soon as the weather is fine.

2. Fixed events which are not simply the wishes of the speaker

He retires in 3 years.

Christmas is on Tuesday.

3. Schedules

The train arrives in 40 min.

7. is/are to be - in formal arrangements

The president of the company is to come on Monday.

8. to be about to/to be on the point of/to be due to

I think the play is about to start now.

The play is due to start in 5 min.

9. to hope + Present or Future Tense

I hope it doesn’t rain.

Ex. 49. Fill in: will or be going to.

Julie is planning her summer holiday,

I 1) 'm going to spend my holiday in Crete because there is a lot to see. I 2)………travel there by ferry because I enjoy boat trips. I'm not going on my own; my best friend 3)…………come with me and I think my cousin 4)……..come too if I ask her. We 5)………..stay in Hania for two weeks, then we 6)…………go somewhere else. I hope we 7)………….find a hotel easily but if there's any problem, we 8)……………stay at a campsite. We 9)……………..swim every day so I 10)………..take a lot of suntan oil with me -1 think we 11)…………….need it. I am looking forward to this holiday. I'm sure it 12) ……………be the best holiday ever.

Ex. 50. Fill in: be going to or will.

I heard on TV last night that Portsmouth Council 1) is going to build a new swimming pool in the centre of town. They 2)…………start work in July and the pool 3)…………..probably be finished by September. The Mayor said, "I'm sure the people of Portsmouth 4)………..welcome the new pool. I hope they 5)……….understand the temporary problems which 6)……….be caused in the centre of town." The opposition leader does not seem to like the idea. He 7)……………organise a protest to stop the council wasting public money, and he believes that the majority of the people living in Portsmouth 8)…………support him.

Ex. 51. Match the sentences with the pictures, then identify the speech situations

1. Look at that tree! It's going to fall down.

2. I love cooking. I'm going to be a chef.

3. He's going to paint his house.

4. I'll have two cheeseburgers for lunch.

5. Put on your coat or you'll catch cold!

6. Shall I do the washing up?