19/09/2016
B: See you then.
Read the conversation again this time the
future forms are underlined. Can you see the
different forms used for the future?
A: What are your plans for this evening?
B: I’m going to see a film. My friend bought
tickets on the Internet.
A: Do you want to go out for dinner next
week?
B: Yes, that sounds great. Shall we meet on
Wednesday? Are you doing anything?
A: I’m sorry, I’m busy next Wednesday. I’m
meeting my sister and we’re going to visit
our Aunty.
B: How about Thursday?
A: Thursday’s fine. I’ll meet you at the new
restaurant in town.
B: See you then.
The different forms used are:
Going to, will/shall and present continuous
to express decisions and plans for future
actions.
We use going to when we have decided to
do something. When we are talking about
our plans:
• I am going to see a film
• He is going to work in the UK
• They are going to buy a new house.
The verb ‘to be’ changes with the subject.
• I am going to…
• You/We/They are going to…
He/She/It is going to…
We use will to show our intentions and
attitudes to other people and when:
• Reacting to present situations
I will meet you
• Making a promise or a threat
She will phone you tonight
• Making a request
Will you carry bag?
The form of ‘will’ does not change with the
subject.
We use shall when we are asking a question
with ‘I’ or ‘we’
• Shall we meet on Wednesday?
• Shall I phone you tonight?
The form of ‘shall’ does not change with the
subject
We use present continuous to talk about
future arrangements or plans, especially
when they have been decided and have a
date or a time.
• I am meeting my sister on Wednesday.
• We are working next week.
The verb ‘to be’ changes with the subject
and is followed by the main verb +’ing’:
Subject + to be + verb/ing
• I am meeting my sister on Wednesday.
• You/We/They are working next week.
• He/She/It is leaving on Friday.
Tip: we also use present simple when future
events are part of a fixed schedule or
timetable:
• I am busy next Wednesday
• The train leaves at 6.00.
When speaking we usually contract ‘will’ and
the verb ‘to be’ as follows:
Will
I will meet you on Saturday.
She will see you there.
I’ll meet you on Saturday.
She’ll see you there.
Going to
We are going to visit our Aunty.
He is going to work in the USA.
We’re going to visit our Aunty.
He’s going to work in the USA.
Present continuous
I am meeting my sister next weekend.
They are playing tennis on Sunday.
I’m meeting my sister next weekend.
They’re playing tennis on Sunday.
Future: Plans and Decisions
Now read another conversation, this time
between two students discussing their
homework and a project. Which is the
correct form to use in each sentence:
A: Hi Sandy. How is your English homework
going?
B: OK I think, I’ll hand it in / I’m going to
hand it in next week.
A: What about the History project? Are you
going to finish it / Are you finishing it on
time?
B: I am a bit worried about that one. I think
I’ll ask / I’m asking the teacher for some
help.
A: Me too. Shall we / are we going to see the
teacher together?
B: Good idea. I’ll meet you / I’m going to
meet you outside the History classroom at
12.30.
A: OK, I’m seeing you / I’ll see you there.
Look below to see which form is correct.
A: Hi Sandy, how is your English homework
going?
B: OK I think, I’m going to hand it in next
week.
A: What about the History project, are you
going to finish it on time?
B: I am a bit worried about that one. I think
I’ll ask the teacher for some help.
A: Me too. Shall we see the teacher together?
B: Good idea. I’ll meet you outside the
History classroom at 12.30.
A: OK, I’ll see you there.
