Future tenses

Present simple
We use the present simple to talk about:
events that are part of a timetable or
schedule.
My plane leaves at 10.15 this evening.
There is a good concert on next week.
While the events are in the future, their
existence is already established in the
present.

Present continuous
We use the present continuous to talk
about:
Arrangement:
We're having a party this weekend*.
* tonight, next month /year/week,
tomorrow, this weekend etc.
Fixed arrangements can also use going
to, but the present continuous is more
common:
- I'm going to visit my family this
summer.(A future plan)
- I'm meeting my family at 6.00. (A fixed
arrangement involving other people)

1. Complete the sentences. Use the

correct form of the verb.
- I _____ (take) Sally out for dinner
tonight.
- The 3 pm train _____ (return) by
4:30 pm.
- The girls and I _____ (go) out
tonight.
- At 8 am, we _____ (leave) on the
excursion to Oahu.

- The return train _____ (depart) one

hour after the race.
- We _____ (see) each other
sometime in the future.
- The office _____ (throw) a goingaway party for me.
- They _____ (have) very small
wedding on the beach.
- Thanksgiving _____ (fall) on the
25th of November this year.
- Eating sandwiches every day is
boring, so I _____ (eat) out today.
- Mr. President, you _____ (address)
the UN Assembly at noon on July
10th.
2. Write the questions. Use the
correct form of the verb. Then
answer them.
- What / you / buy / for Janice's
birthday present?

- What time / the train / leave?

- What / you / do / tonight?

- When / your parents / leave?

- How often / you / go to the

cinema?

Going to
We use going to to talk about:
future intentions or plans when a
decision has already been made:
Shes going to study History at
university.

predictions when there is some

evidence you can see now:
The sky is very cloudy, its going to
rain.

Will
We use will to talk about:
decisions at the moment of speaking.
Somebody is knocking at the door. Ill
open.

general predictions:

Jack ________ (not meet) with us

next weekend.
- 'It's hot in here.' 'OK, I _____
(open) the window.'
- 'Have you decided what you ____
(do) at Christmas?' 'Yes, we _____
(stay) with my parents.'
- 'We ____ (go) to Paris for Sylvia's
birthday. But it's a secret.' 'Is it? OK,
I ________ ( tell) her.'
2. Complete the text using the
correct form of the verbs in
brackets.
In a hundred years time I think
people 1 (live) on
the moon.
What 2 (wear) you
for the party? I haven't decided yet.
Maybe I 3 (wear)
my new jeans.

The forecast says itll be cold

tomorrow.

Greg passed his driving test last

week. He told me he 4
(buy) a car.

things that are certain to happen

(they don not depend on our
willingness):

I .. (get a cold) if you

dont close the window

Ill be 18 next summer

! I am sure / I suppose / Perhaps /
Probably / Surely / Possibly...
1. Complete the sentences. Use the
correct form of the verb.
- She ____ (play) tennis with Tom
on Tuesday.
- When Julia grows up, she _____
(be) a doctor
- If it gets any colder, it _____
(snow)
- Ive got the tickets for Madonna's
concert in London. We____ (go)
next June.

3. Write the questions. Use the

correct form of the verb. Then
answer them.
- Who / you / meet / this evening?

- Where / go / you / for your next

holiday?

- Which team / you / think / win /

the match?