Future

Tense Practice

Practice 1: Choose the correct verb form to complete each of the following statements/ dialogues.
In some cases, BOTH verb forms are possible.

1. A: Have you started your application for graduate school?
B: I might start on it next weekend. This week I can’t because _____________________.

(a) I will go camping (b) I am going camping. (c) both

2. A: Did you hear about Angela’s wedding? She is going to have it in the mountains beside a creek
lined with wildflowers!
B: Wow! _____________________.

(a) That’ll be a beautiful setting for a wedding! (b) That is going to be a beautiful setting for a
wedding! (c) both

3. A: I can’t believe they are going to close the movie theater in our neighborhood!
B: I know! Now, _____________________.

(a) we’ll have to go to the next town just to see a movie (b) we are going to have to go to the next
town just to see a movie. (c) both

4. A: Do you want to go get a coffee with me before class starts?
B: Sorry, I can’t. Juan is waiting for me in the library. __________________________.

(a) I will work on a project with him. (b) I am going to work on a project with him.
(c) both


Practice 2: Decide whether each of these sentences describes (a) a recurring event or (b) a future
occurrence.

1. We live near the airport, so you can hear the planes when they take off and when they land.

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

2. Our plane takes off at 7:30 P.M. tonight, so we should probably arrive at the airport at 5:00.

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

3. Hurry! The movie starts at 8:00! We have to leave now!

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

4. A: When do you think we should meet to discuss the timeline for our project?
B: Well, the meeting ends at 11:30, so we could discuss it at 12:00 over lunch. What do you
think?

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

5. Our class ends at 3:00 P.M. every day, which leaves me just enough time to have a quick snack
before tennis practice.

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

6. Although I don’t intend to, I usually wake up every morning around 4:00 A.M. The train leaves
the station then, and I can’t help but hear its whistle.

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

7. A: I have to tell Jane I love her! I wonder if I can make it to the train station before she walks out
of my life forever!
B: The train for Colorado leaves in one hour. If you hurry, you might just make it!

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence

8. I have a great idea! The play doesn’t start until 9:00, so we should get dinner first!

(a) recurring event (b) future occurrence



Practice 3: Do the underlined verb phrases describe an activity (a) in progress now or (b) that
will happen in the future?

1. Spencer is giving a big speech tomorrow, so he is really nervous.
(a) now (b) future

2. Spencer is giving a big speech at this very moment. I hope he isn’t too nervous.
(a) now (b) future

3. Watch out! Those dogs are coming towards us and they look vicious!
(a) now (b) future

4. I’m so excited! My parents are coming to visit me this weekend!
(a) now (b) future