Useful links & grammar explanations

Useful links:

1.     Explanations:    http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/future.htm

      2.    Exercise 1: Will VS BE going to
              http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/multi/willGoing.htm

      3.     Will VS Present continuous
               http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/multi/pcwill.htm

        4.     All future forms 1

                http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/multi/allFuture.htm

        5.      All future forms 2 

                 http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/quiz/4.htm

Chart and explanations

https://www.test-english.com/explanation/b1/future-forms-will-going-present-continuous/

     

Predictions

We use will to talk about something we think that will happen:

• I think he’ll win the election.
• He will be a good doctor.

We use be going to to talk about something that is very near to happen or that we see is going to happen (there is present evidence)

• Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!
• The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.

Decisions

We use will for decisions that we take at the moment of speaking (instant decisions).

• ‘Oh, we don’t have sugar.’ ‘Don’t worry, I’ll buy some.’

We use be going to for decisions that we have already taken at the moment of speaking (intentions or plans).

• ‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go to the swimming pool.’

Arrangements

We often use the present continuous to talk about future events that are already planned or decided. When we use the present continuous for arrangements, we must always include when (at 7, this evening, next month, etc.) in the sentence.

• I’m seeing the dentist at 6.
• We are getting married next week.
• I’m flying to New York tomorrow morning.

We can also use be going to for future arrangements.

• I’m going to play tennis with Elisabeth today. 

Future time clauses (when, as soon as, until, before, after)

Use the present simple to talk about the future in sentences with when, as soon as, until, before, after.

• I’ll retire when I’m 70. (NOT when I’ll be)
• I won’t call you until I arrive (NOT will arrive.)

Other uses of will

Promises and refusals

• I will help you whenever you need me.   
• I won’t lend him my car. 

Future facts

• The president will visit the Vatican next November.

Offers

We use I will in statements or shall I in questions.

• I’ll carry that bag for you.
• Shall I organise the meeting?

Suggestions

We use shall we…?

• Shall we eat out today?

Requests

When we ask someone to do something for us.

• Will you open the door, please?

may or might as a future form

We use may or might for possible actions in the future (when ‘we are not sure’). Compare:

• I’ll be late for dinner today. (=I am sure.)
• I might be late for dinner today. (=It’s possible, but I am not sure.)
• I’m going to Denmark next September. (=Sure.)
• I might go to Denmark next September. (=Not sure.)

We use may or might for things that will possibly happen in the future, but we are not too sure. It’s like a prediction about something that we think perhaps will happen.

• The economy might suffer a global recession next year.
• Temperatures may go up next week.

We use may or might not for actions or things that will possibly not happen.

• She looks very tired. She might not come with us.
• We may not have enough time to finish the report for tomorrow.

Exercise to go with the above explanation:

https://www.test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/future-forms/

Future forms

EL 321 Future forms

EL 321

Future Forms:

Will V1, is/are V ing, is/are going to V1

Will

Use

Here we look at three cases in the use of the Future Simple:

• predicting the future
• no prior plan
• main verb be

1) Predictions, assumptions without any clear evidence

I think gold prices will rise a little next year.

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2) Spontaneous actions without planning and the decision is made at the time of speaking.

Wait! I will accompany you home since it is quite dark outside.

3) With the verb be

We will be stronger and wiser in the future.

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Form
will + infinitive 

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Examples

Affirmative sentences:
He will call that client.
He'll call that client.Negative sentences:
He will not  call that client.
He won't call that client. or He'll not call that client. 

Questions:

Will he call that client?

Going to – Future

Use

1) Planned actions in the future

They are going to acquire a small company for diversification and expansion.

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2) That something is certainly going to happen in the future.

Our company lacks liquidity and cannot pay our debts at all! We are going to be out of business soon.

---

Signal words

None but without signs or signals of ambuguity

---

Form

to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

---

Examples

Affirmative sentences:

I am going to play cards. I'm going to play cards.

You are going to play cards. You're going to play cards.

Negative sentences:

I am not going to play cards. I'm not going to play cards.

You are not going to play cards. You're not going to play cards. You aren't going to play cards.

Questions:

Am I going to play cards?

Are you going to play cards?

ATTENTION!!

This is not the same as IS + V ing or Present Progressive/Continuous

going to-future	Present Progressive
He's going to read the book.	He's reading the book.

Present Progressive

For Future Use

1) Fixed plan or arrangement in the near future

He is giving a talk on Life After Death next Friday.

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2) Actions occurring temporarily

She is working as a substitute teacher.

---

3) Trends

People are communicating through their smart devices more often than face-to-face.

---

4) Actions which are irritatingly repeated (with always, constantly, forever)

Ken is constantly coming by without letting us know in advance.

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Form

to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

---

Examples

Affirmative sentences:

I am playing tennis. I'm playing tennis.

You are playing tennnis. You're playing tennis.

Negative sentences:

I am not playing tennis. I'm not playing tennis.

You are not playing tennis. You're not playing tennis. You aren't playing tennis.

Questions:

Am I playing tennis?

Are you playing tennis?