Talking about the future

Talking about the future

We can use different language forms to talk about the future.

​The future simple

will + infinitive

We use will + infinitive for

• facts about the future

The new office will be bigger than the old one.

• predictions

You will love working with us.

• decisions made at the moment of speaking

Someone is at the door. I will go and see who it is.

​The present continuous

am/is/are + V_ing

We use the present continuous

• for plans and arrangements in the future, especially if we know the time and place:

Our clients are visiting us next week.

• to explain why we can't do something in the future

I am afraid I can't join the meeting. I'm having an interview with a client.

​be going to

We use be going to for

• to describe something we intend to do but haven't made all the arrangements yet

I am going to apply for that job.

• predictions which are based on the evidence we can see

Be careful! You are going to fall!

The present simple

V/V_(e)s

We use the present simple for

• timetables and schedules

The conference starts at 1 pm on Friday.

Multiple Select

Tom says he ____ send the updates later today.

• sends

• is sending

• is going to send

• will send

Multiple Select

What ____ this weekend?

• do you do

• are you doing

• are you going to do

• will you do

Multiple Choice

I am sure you ____ the interview.

• will pass

• pass

• are passing

• are going to pass

Multiple Choice

We are moving to a new office tomorrow.

Really? I ____ you.

• will help

• help

• am going to help

• am helping

Multiple Select

Someday there ____ cities on Mars.

• are

• will be

• are going to be

• are being

Multiple Choice

Mark ____ a speech at the next meet-up. We have already chosen the topic.

• gives

• is giving

• is going to give

• will give

Multiple Choice

They ____ next month.

• get married

• are getting married

• are going to get married

• will get married

Multiple Choice

I hope I ____ you later!

• see

• will see

• am seeing

• am going to see

Multiple Choice

The plane ____ at 5 am.

• leaves

• is leaving

• will leave

• are going to leave