A Grammar and Usage Programme for GP (Students’ Version)

Module 5
Tenses 3: Talking about the future

1) You cannot talk about the future with as much certainty as you can about
the present or the past. You are usually talking about what you think might
happen or what you intend to happen. This is why you often use modals.
Although most modals can be used with future reference, you most often use
the modal ‘will’ to talk about the future.
Nancy will arrange it.
When will I see them?

2) When you are making predictions about the future that are based on
general beliefs, opinions, or attitudes, you use ‘will’.
The weather tomorrow will be warm and sunny.
I’m sure you will enjoy your visit to the zoo.

This use of ‘will’ is common in sentences with conditional clauses.

You will be late, if you don’t hurry.

When you are using facts or events in the present situation as evidence for a
prediction, you can use ‘going to’.
It is going to rain. (I can see black clouds).
I am going to be late. (I have missed my train).

3) When you are talking about your own intentions, you use ‘will’ or ‘going to’.
I will ring you tonight.
I am going to stay at home today.

4) When you want to say that something will happen because arrangements
have been made, you use the future continuous tense.
I will be seeing them when I’ve finished with you.
I will be waiting for you outside.
She will be appearing at the Royal Festival Hall.

5) When you want to talk about something that has not happened yet but will
happen before a particular time in the future, you use the future perfect tense.
By the time we phone he will already have started.
By 1992, he will have worked for twelve years.

6) When you are talking about something in the future which is based on an
official timetable or calendar, you use the present simple tense. You usually
put a time adverbial in these sentences.
My last train leaves Euston at 11.30.
The UN General Assembly opens in New York this month.
Our lesson is on Thursday.
We set off early tomorrow morning in Ken’s car.

7) In statements about fixed dates, you normally use the present tense.

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Tomorrow is Tuesday.
It is my birthday next month.
Monday is the 17th of July.

8) When you want to talk about people’s plans or arrangements for the future,
you use the present continuous tense.
I am meeting Bill next week.
They are getting married in June.

Exercise 1
Match these sentences, which supply present evidence, with the predictions
below.

1. They are playing really well. (c)
2. I feel awful
3. They’ve invited a lot of people.
4. We have a lot to do.
5. I listened to the weather forecast
tonight.
6. I can’t hang on.
7. The kids are tired out.
8. The referee is looking at his watch.
9. Liverpool are three goals ahead.
a. He’s going to blow his whistle
b. It’s going to be wet and windy tomorrow.
c. I think they’re going to win.
d. They’re going to fall asleep.
e. They are going to win again.
f. I’m going to fall.
g. It’s going to be a hard day.
h. I think I’m going to faint.
i. It’s going to be very crowded.

Exercise 2
Match these sentences with the predictions below, which are based on
general beliefs.

1. John starts his new school tomorrow (e)
2. It’s Saturday morning.
3. Liverpool have a very good side.
4. The children get tired very easily.
5. It’s a very difficult climb.
6. They’re having a big party next week.
7. Fred can’t keep a secret.
8. Have you told Kate about your new job?
a) The shops will probably be crowded.
b) They’ll probably fall asleep.
c) He’ll tell everybody.
d) She’ll be delighted.
e) I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.
f) If you’re not careful you’ll fall.
g) I think they’ll win easily.
h) It’ll probably be very crowded.

Exercise 3
Complete the following sentences, putting one of the verbs in brackets into
the future with will, and the other into the present simple.
1) I will come round tomorrow. If I have time. (come) (have)
2) I _____________ Jack the message if I ___________ him. (give) (see)
3) I _____________ you a call from the first phone box I _________
(give) (see)
4) There __________ presents for all the children who ____________ to
the party. (be) (come)
5) We ____________ the party indoors if it _________. (have) (rain)

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 6) There ___________ lots of games. I hope you __________
yourselves. (be) (enjoy)
7) I _______________ to the cinema, unless you _________ too. (not go)
(go)
8) Keep a diary, then you _________ all the places you ___________.
(remember) (visit)
9) I think I __________ here, until it ___________ raining. (stay) (stop).

Exercise 4 (Revision)
Put in the correct tense forms.
Dear Eileen
Hope things are OK with you. The doctor (1 come) yesterday. He (2 not
like) my cough. I (3 lie) in bed looking at the ceiling since Tuesday, and I can
tell you, I’m fed up with it. I (4 never be) ill like this before – don’t know what’s
happening to me. And the weather’s terrible. It (5 rain) all day, and I can’t even
have a cup of tea to cheer myself up, because the milkman (6 not come) this
morning. Don’t know why – I’m sure I (7 pay) his bill.
Alice (8 get) married last week, so now all Mary’s kids (9 leave) home.
She won’t know what to do with herself, will she?
Lucy Watson (10 move) to Doncaster. Since Fred (11 die) she (12 be)
all alone. It (13 be) a heart attack, apparently. I’m sorry she (14 go) – we (15
be) neighbours (16 since / for) over thirty years, and she (17 always be)
friendly and ready to help out.
Amy (18 leave). My cleaning lady, you remember? I’m glad. She (19
not be) much use, and I (20 not trust) her since she (21 break) all those plates
and (22 say) it (23 be) the cat.
There (24 not be) much change in the village. Some new people (25
take) over the shop. They seem quite nice. Hope they’re more efficient than
old Joe.
That’s all the news. Write when you’ve got the time.
Love
Emma

(CKH/TJD 2008)