Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2

Unit 12 Lesson A: What's next?

Vocabulary
Talking about work
ask for a promotion (v)
become a millionaire (v)
earn (a lot of) money (v)
go away for vacation (v)
have a rewarding job (v)
look for a (better) job (v)
retire (v)
take some time off (work) (v)

Talking about life plans

find your own place (v)
finish this course (v)
get / go on for a degree (v)
get / go on for a master's degree (v)
get / go on for a certificate (v)
get good grades (v)
graduate from college (v)
have a baby (v)
study for a degree (v)
study for a master's degree (v)
study for a certificate (v)
study abroad (v)
travel around (Europe) (v)

Verbs
may (v)
might (v)
will (v)
won't (v)

Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 12, Lesson A, Page 1

Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2

Grammar
Future with will, may, and might
When you are 100% sure will

You can use will to give facts or predictions about the future. The predictions are things that
you think are sure to happen.

In affirmative statements, use subject + will / 'll + verb . . . :

I'll be 65 in June. (I'll = I will)

The baby will keep us busy!

In negative statements, use subject + won't (= will not) + verb . . . :

It won't be easy to find a job.

Remember, you can also use be going to to talk about predictions for the future, especially
when you have good reasons or evidence for your predictions:

It's going to snow tomorrow. (It's cold and there are some clouds.)

When you are not 100% sure may, might, will + expressions

You can use may or might to show you are not 100% sure about the future. May and might
have similar meanings.

In affirmative statements, use subject + may / might + verb . . . :

I may go on for a master's degree.

In negative statements, use subject + may / might + not + verb . . . :

I might not be able to afford it.

Don't use can for predictions when you are not sure. Use may or might.

Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 12, Lesson A, Page 2

Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2
Usually will is used for future events and situations that you are 100% sure about. But you can
also use will with expressions like I guess, I think, maybe, and probably if you are not 100% sure
about the future:

We'll probably take some time off from work.

Maybe we'll move to Arizona. (we'll = we will)

Avoid will to talk about plans or decisions that are already made. Use the present continuous
or going to instead:

I'm going to Europe next year. I'm going to visit Paris.

Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 12, Lesson A, Page 3