Talking About The Future

•He is Marcus. He is a very busy businessman. It is 9:00 am. Let me tell

you about the day ahead.

• He is going to make  I think he will be

very tired
several phone calls. tonight.
• He is going to send  Maybe he will
some emails. drink some
• He is going to write coffee.
some reports.
 He is meeting a client at 4:00
pm.
 Future plans and intentions:
Be going to
Be going to  Something we have
already decided (some time ago)
or intend to do in the future!
–He’s going to start a course
to obtain a master's degree.
= It is already decided.

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Be Going To… for predictions
To Make Predictions Based On Evidence:
A: Look at the dark clouds. It is going to rain.
B: Let’s go inside

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Future plans and intentions:
Present Continuous
Verb to Be + verb with -ing)  future plans,
arrangements with a date and time. You know details
such as when, who, with, where. The situation is more
fixed.
–I’m meeting my best friend tonight. = I've made an
arrangement with her.
–They’re going to Baru Island this summer. = They've
already arranged the holiday. It is sure!
Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.
Future forms – Present Simple

Use the present simple to talk about schedules or

formal timetables:
• My plane arrives at six o’clock, don’t be late.
• I start my new job on Monday.

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Hope, plan, want, would like
Hopes that aren’t definite
Hope, plan, want, would like (+ infinitive with to)
•Examples:
–I want to have my own house.
–I’d like to buy a new car.

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Look forward to
Definite future plans
Look forward to (+ verb with -ing)
•Examples:
–I’m looking forward to
moving to London next
month.

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Will:
To make decisions at the moment of speaking
•A: I am hungry, mum.
•B: Don’t worry! I will make you a sandwich!
To make predictions based on opinions
•I think Peru will win the football World Cup in Russia.
To make promises or offer to do something
•A: The meeting is at 7:00 am.
•B: I will be on time! Take it easy
Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.
 Will: Predictions or beliefs about
the future (may or may not
happen)
Often used with the verbs think, hope and to
be sure
•I think there'll be a nuclear accident.
•I'm sure there will be more homeless people
in the future.
Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.
 Future forms: Predictions
We can also use modal verbs such as may, might and could
to talk about predictions.
• The computer is very slow. There could be a bug in the
system.

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.

 Future forms: Summary
Future form Use
Present simple Schedules and formal timetables
Present continuous Fixed personal arrangements
Be going to Plans and intentions
Verbs: intend, plan, expect or hope Arrangements and intentions (not fixed)
Will Spontaneous decisions
Will Predictions
Going to Predictions based on evidence
Modal verbs: may, might or could Predictions (without evidence)

Created by Sheyla Jarufe J.