Different ways of talking about the future

Will, going to, present progressive, simple present

Future Use Example

Will To make predictions about the futureUncertainDecisions at the moment

It will rain.“I’ll open the door”

Going to Predictions based on evidence, future plans and intentions

I’m going to go out tonight.

Present progessive

Future plans and intentions

I’m meeting some friends tonight.

Simple present At a specific time on a schedule

The concert starts at 11:00.

“GOING TO”

• For definite plans and decisions in the immediate future

I’m going to pass my exam

because I studied hard

enough.

• Predictions based on present evidenceThe clouds are black. It is going to rain.

AFFIRMATIVE STRUCTURE

I am going to talk to my boss.

Students are going to get good grades.

Michael is going to marry Sophie next year.

SUBJECT + IS/ARE/AM+ GOING TO + VERB IN BASE FORM + OBJECT

NEGATIVE STRUCTURE

I’m not going to cook tonight.

Girls aren’t going to travel this summer.

Rose isn’t going to have a baby.

SUBJECT + ISN’T/AREN’T/AM NOT+ GOING TO + VERB IN BASE

FORM + OBJECT

INTERROGATIVE STRUCTURE

Are you going to graduate next year?

No, I’m not. Are boys going to do the washing up?

Yes, they are. Is your dog going to reach the frisbee

Yes, it is.

IS/ARE/AM + SUBJECT + GOING TO + VERB IN BASE FORM +

OBJECT?

WILL

I will always

love you!

Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced. subject positive negative question

no difference

s

I will speak.

I will not speak.

Will I speak?

Contractions: Will = ’llWill not = Won’t

Use of will Future

a spontaneous decision

Wait, I will help you.

an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future

He will probably come back tomorrow.

a promise

I will not watch TV tonight.

an action in the future that cannot be influenced

It will rain tomorrow.

conditional clauses type I

If I arrive late, I will call you.

Signal Words

in a year, next …, tomorrow

I think, probably, perhaps, maybe

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SUBJECT + IS/ARE/AM + VERB “ING” + OBJECT

I am having lunch with my friends next weekend.

You aren’t attending the concert tonight.

Is he cooking this weekend?Yes, he is. No, he isn’t

KEY WORDS: tonight, next month (year, week), tomorrow, this weekend

Examples:

My friends are traveling to London tomorrow.George isn't meeting us next weekend.

Going to is simplified with the present continuous

My friends are traveling to London tomorrow. = My friends are going to travel to London tomorrow.

There is no difference!

IT IS USED FOR SCHEDULES The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.

The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.

SIMPLE PRESENT

STRUCTURE WITH PLURAL SUBJECTS

Subject + verb in base form + object.

The planes arrive at 9:00.Subject + don’t + verb in base

form + object.The planes don’t arrive at 9:00.

STRUCTURE WITH 3RD PERSON SINGULAR

SUBJECTSSubject + verb ending in “s, es, ies” + object.

The concert starts at 7:00.Subject + doesn’t + verb in

base form + object.The concert doesn’t start at 7:00.