Simple Future Tenses

Simple Future Tenses

Will - Be Going To - Present Continuous, to talk about the Future

WILL - uses

We use I’ll ... (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’, we announce our decision:

Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.

‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’

‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’ 

WILL - uses

We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:

I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)

We often use I think I’ll ... / I don’t think I’ll ... :

I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat. I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.

In spoken English will not is usually won’t:

I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long) 

WILL - uses

We often use I’ll in these situations:

Offering to do something

That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it. (not I help)

Agreeing to do something

a: Can you give Tom this book?

b: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.

Promising to do something

Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday.

I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.

I’ll help you. 

WILL - uses

We often use will (’ll) with:

probably: I’ll probably be home late tonight.

I’m sure: Don’t worry about the exam. I’m sure you’ll pass.

I think: Do you think Sarah will like the present we bought her?

I don’t think: I don’t think the exam will be very difficult.

I wonder: I wonder what will happen.

 

Be Going To - uses

I am going to do something = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:

‘Are you going to eat anything?’ ‘No, I’m not hungry.’

a: I hear Sarah won the lottery. What is she going to do with the money?

b: She’s going to buy a new car.

Be Going To - uses

I am going to do something = I’ve decided to do it. Maybe I’ve arranged to do it, maybe not. (NORMAL PLAN)

I am going to eat pizza tonight.

I have to do a speech tomorrow, but I don't know what I am going to say.

I don’t want to stay here. Tomorrow I’m going to look for somewhere else to stay. 

Be Going To - Be (V-ing)

I am doing and I am going to do

I am doing = it is already fixed or arranged. For example, you have arranged to go somewhere or meet somebody: (100% definite plan)

I’m leaving next week. I’ve booked my flight.

I'm meeting Emily tonight at 9 pm 

I am going to do something = I’ve decided to do it. Maybe I’ve arranged to do it, maybe not. 

I'm going on vacation next year.

I'm going to meet some friends tomorrow.

Predictions

Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

We use both will and going to for future happenings and situations. So you can say:

I think the weather will be nice later. or

I think the weather is going to be nice later.

When we say something is going to happen, we believe this because of the situation now. What is happening now shows that something is going to happen in the future. For example:

Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain. (not it will rain)

(we can see that it is going to rain – the black clouds are in the sky now) 

Multiple Choice

I think that computers _______ replace teachers in the future.

• are going to

• will

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

A : Could someone get me a glass of water?

B : Sure. I ........ get you one.

• will

• are going to

• am going to

• would like

Multiple Choice

A : Did you buy bread?

B : Oh, no! I forgot to buy it. I......... go back to buy some.

• will

• am going to

• am

• was

Multiple Choice

This future tense is used to refer to arrangements already made.  They involve movement and have a set time as a signal word.

• Simple present
• Present continuous
• Simple future
• Going to future

Multiple Choice

This man is carrying a lot of bags! I .............. help him.

• am going to
• will

Multiple Choice

I ______________ on time! I promise

• am going to be

• will be

• am being

Multiple Choice

It's cold. I.................................(close) the window.

• am going to close

• close

• am closing

• will close

Multiple Choice

I promise I .............. call you next Monday.

• am going to
• will

Multiple Choice

They __________ the match.

• are going to win
• going to win
• winning
• win

Multiple Choice

Sorry, I can't talk now. I __________ you back later.

• will call

• am calling

• am going to call

Multiple Choice

Bob ....a cupboard when he has time.

• is buying

• is going to buy

• buy

• will buy

Multiple Choice

I am sorry I can't come. I ...this evening.

• is working

• will work

• am working

• am going to working

Multiple Choice

She is my girlfriend. We

• are getting married the next month

• will get married the next month

• are going to get married the next month

Multiple Choice

Look at the clouds! It ............ rain.

• is going to

• will

• is

Multiple Choice

In the future there ............. too little fresh water in the world.

• will

• will be

• is

Multiple Choice

This dress is so beautiful. I...... to take it.

• will take

• am going

Multiple Choice

I think I ........... my next holidays in Greece.

• am spending

• will spend

• spend

Multiple Choice

What __________ later? Do you want to go get a coffee?

• are you going to do

• will do

• is doing