Affirmative
will + verb
am / is / are + going to + verb
Negative
will not / won't + verb
am / is / are not + going to + verb
MEANING
Will
To give or ask for information or facts about the future.
Her parentswill behere in about an hour.
All her friendswill cometo her wedding.
For plans or decisions made at the time of speaking. (SUDDEN DECISIONS/decisiones súbitas o instantáneas LM)
"We need some paper for the photocopier." "Okay, I'll goand get some."
"What would you like to eat?" "I'll havea pizza please."
To make predictions about the future. (científicas/subjetivas/largo plazo...)
In 20 years the world's population will be over 9 billion people.
To offer to do something.
I'll takeyou to the airport tomorrow.
That suitcase looks heavy, I'll carryit for you.
To agree to do something.
Okay,I'll comewith you.
To promise to do something.
I promise Iwon't tellanyone you broke the window.
To make requests (or give orders).Preguntas corteses
Willyouopenthe door for me please?
Willyoumarryme?
Willyoushut upplease?
To refuse to do something or talk about refusals.
No, Iwon't cookyour dinner, you can cook it yourself.
I've asked him but hewon't doit.
Going to
For plans or decisions made before speaking.
Is John coming home soon? - Yes, I'm going to meethim at the airport tomorrow.
I'mgoing to watchTV in a minute, because my favourite programme is on.
To make predictions about the future based on present evidence. (futuro ya se ve: predicción objetiva)
Look at the sky. It's going to rainsoon.
Germany have just scored. Englandare going to loseagain.
Present Continuous (future meaning)
1.- Arrangements (planes muy avanzado). La frase debe incluir alguna expresión de tiempo futuro para no confundirlo con el presente continuo ordinario (Ahora). Muchas frases pueden ponerse en presente continuo o en going to con poca diferencia. I am playing tennis with Johntomorrow afternoon. (futuro) I am playing tennis with John (ahora:presente)
Ways of Expressing the
Future 1. will-future
We use the will-future when we want to make a prediction or an
assumption
about the future. Common phrases are I think, expect, wonder, hope …,
probably,perhaps, maybe, I’m sure … etc. I think Fiona will like it here.
We use the will-future when we want to make a spontaneous decision,an
offer ora promise. “It’s raining!” – “I’ll lend you my umbrella.”
We use the will-future when we want to describe facts in the future.
Patrick will be twenty-four next Thursday.
We use the will-future in conditional sentences type I.
If you book your flight early, you’ll get it cheaper.
We use the will-future with the following time conjunctions: after, when,
until,before, as soon as. We’ll play cards after as soon as she arrives. 2. going to-future
We use the going to-future when we talk about intentions or plans for the
future.
Tonight I am going to watch the football match on TV.
We use the going to-future when something will very probably happen because
there are already signs of it happening.
“Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain.”
3. Present progressive
We use the present progressive when something is definitely planned or
arranged for the future. We’re flying to Galway on Saturday.
4. Present simple (“timetable future”) We use the present simple when a future event is a fixed part of a
timetable, programme, schedule or suchlike. The first bus to Galway leaves at 6.20. 5. Future progressive
We use the future progressive when an action or event will be in progress at
apoint of time in the future. This time on Saturday I will be flying to Galway.
(now) this time on Saturday
We use the future progressive when something will happen because it normally
happens. In a few minutes we’ll be arriving at York central station. 6. Future perfect
We use the future perfect when an action or event will be complete at a
point of time in the future.
I suppose Patrick will have left when we arrive. 7. was / were going to
Note the existence of was / were going to, which can indicate a past intention
or aplan that has since been changed (‘future in the past’). I was going to work in the garden, but then it started to rain.
Exercises: The Future Tenses
Put the following verbs into the correct future or present tense to express a
future meaning. Beware of
a few sentences which need the imperative or the was/were going to form.
1. As soon as I (see) him, I’ll give him your news.
2. “It’s far too hot in here.” - “Oh sorry, I (open) the window.”
3. We (not, be) able to leave until the police say it is safe to do so.
4. The film (come) here the week after next.
5. Claire (be) ten next year.
6. (there, be) any trains on Christmas Day?
7. “I’ve just dropped a bottle of milk on the floor.” - “Don’t worry. I (come)
and clean it
up.”
8. They (spend) their holidays in the Bahamas next year.
9. They (buy) a house, but they have changed their minds.
10.We (see) the Jones on April 5th.
11.What (Rachel, do) on Saturday night?
12.When Ruth (call) this evening, I’ll come and have a word with her.
13. Even if it stops raining, he (not, go) out.
14. James! We (go) to the cinema! Would you like to come with us?
15. Before you (leave), I’ll show you my bike.
16.When (you, make) the Christmas cake?
17. If that parcel (not, arrive) tomorrow, I (phone) the Post Office.
18.When the President (get) off the train, the Mayor (step) forward to greet
him.
19. “When (you, go) to see Hamlet?” - “I don’t really know. Perhaps I (go)
sometimes next
week.” - “Well, in that case, if you don’t mind, I (come) with you. I (go) with
Vicky, but
she went last night while I was playing bowls.”
20. Before we (go) to bed, I (put) the cat out.
21. They (dream) of Spain as soon as they (get) home from their holidays
22. I (fly) to Scotland but when I found out how expensive it was, I changed my
mind.
23. (she, break) down when she (hear) of her son’s accident?
24.When you (break) your leg, (not, come) crying to me saying I never warned
you.
25. She (burst) the balloon if she (blow) it up any more.
26. “(you, work) in the garden this afternoon?” - “What! You’re joking! It (be)
far too hot to
do any work outside, I think I (stay) in the living room and have forty winks.”
27. “When (you, bake) your Christmas cake?” - “I’ve already done it. I did it a
week ago.”
28. “What (you, do) this afternoon?” - “I (play) tennis with Sarah.”
29. After she (go) to sleep, I (come) downstairs and make you something to eat.
30. (clean) up your room before your father (see) the mess you’ve made.
31. “When (you, spend) that money you were given for your birthday?” - “I don’t
know. I
think (probably, wait) until I (see) something I like.”
32. “You’ve torn your blouse.” - “Oh, so I have. What a nuisance! I (get) some
cotton and
mend it before it (get) any worse.”
33. I’m eighteen now but this time next week I (be) nineteen.
34. “(Rachel, sing) to us tonight?” - “I hope she ( ), but she says she doesn’t
feel very well.
35. Tomorrow afternoon, Jill (spend) a couple of hours cleaning her flat.
36. Claire (sleep) in the tent in the garden, but she changed her mind because
of the
storm.
37. According to this article in the paper, they (reduce) the price of air
travel.
38. “I (not, be) able to believe it until (see) it with my own eyes,” said
Thomas.
39. “She (be) much too early if she (leave) now.”
40. “Did you remember to send Nicholas his birthday present?” - “Well, I didn’t
forget but
I didn’t have the time to go to the Post Office and so I (do) it this
afternoon.
Exercises: Future Progressive
Put the following verbs into the correct tense—present or future—but use the
future progressive whereverpossible.
1. This time next week I (drive) ____________________________________ through
France.
2. When he (phone) ________________________________, I (have)
_______________________ my bath. Tell him I’ll phone back later.
3. “When you (phone) ____________________________ your father, tell him I’ve
found an
interesting book for him.” – “Well, I (phone) ______________________ him
tomorrow
as it’s Tuesday, so I (mention) _______________________________________ it to
him then.
4. Well, I can’t write to her now because I (mow) ___________________________
the lawn at
the moment and I’ve got to finish doing this before it (start)
______________________________
to rain, but I (write) _________________________________ to her in the next few
days anyway.
Can it wait until then?
5. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Well, that’s all for now, but I (be)
_______________ back in a week , and then I (sing)____________________some more
songs for you.
6. It’s a pity that the holidays are almost over. A week today I
(be)___________________________
______________ back in England and I (work) as hard as ever.
7. Although you haven’t seen me for ages, when I (fly) _______________________________________________________
back
next week, you (recognise) me immediately because I’ve got not changed at all.
8. “What are you plans?” (you, call)
_______________________________________________________ to see us tonight?” –
“I
(not, think) _______________________________________________________ so, not
this time, but we might call next week.
9. Dear Sirs, I (be) _______________________________________________________
seventeen years old and I (look) ______________________ for a job because I
(leave) ___________________ school in ten
weeks’ time. I wonder if you have a vacancy for me.
10. This time next week I (know) __________________________________ my exam
results.
Ex.: Future Perfect
Put the following verbs into the correct tense. Use the present, will-future
or the future perfect, but
choose the future perfect wherever possible.
1. By this time next year, I (build) _________________________________ my own
boat.
2. By the end of the day, she (bake) ____________________________________ a
dozen cakes.
3. He (finish) ____________________________________ cleaning the car in an
hour’s time.
4. After they (shut) _________________________________________ the gates, they
(not, let) ______________________________ anyone else in this evening.
5. When I (come) _________________________________ again, I (write)
___________________
the first chapter of my book. If you like, I (bring) _____________________ it
with me
so you can have a look at it.
6. They (spoil) _____________________ the forests by the time the state
(introduce)
______________________________ laws to stop air pollution.
7. Mrs Kennedy’s poodles (die) _________________________________ by the time
she (realise_______________ that she should not have fed them on liver pâté,
cream and
chocolate.
8. When we (get back) _________________________________, all the pubs (close)
_________
_____________________ for the night.
9. “As soon as she (smell) my after-shave, she (think)
_____________________________________ I’m the most attractive man alive.” – And
as soon as she (clean) ________________ her
glasses, she (realise) _____________________________ you’re not.”
10. I (lose) _______________________________ all my hair by the time they
(find) ___________
_____________________ a cure for baldness.
11.Hurry up! By the time you (phone) _____________________________________ the
police, the burglar (flee) _______________________________________.
12. I (read) __________________________________ all these books by tomorrow
night.
13. “I’m sorry you broke your leg when you fell of my ladder. When you (offer)
____
_________________ to come and paint my house next time, I (buy)
_____________________
___________________ a new one.” – “There won’t be a next time ...”
14. This athlete (probably, break) _______________________________ all the
existing records by
the end of the year.
15. If we don’t hurry, the film (begin) __________________________________ by
the time we (get)
_______________________ there.
