Talking about the future

Fuente: SENA

In this second learning activity of English Dot Works 4, we are going to talk about
predictions, plans and expectations. We will also study how to talk about hobbies
and interests. For that purpose, we will study future tense with going to, uses of the
word like and gerunds.

Get ready to have fun!

Introductory material

Dear learner,

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 2.

You will learn about:

1. Will to express decisions, voluntary actions, predictions and promises.

2. Uses of like: I like vs. I would like to.

3. Gerunds: -ing forms of verbs.

4. Hobbies and interests.

5. Media in the future.

Let’s begin!
 1. Will to express decisions, voluntary actions, predictions and promises

A. We use the structure will to talk about the future. Will can be used in different
situations:

a. For a spontaneous decision: When we make a spontaneous or instant

decision about the future, we use will. Usually the decision is about short
term plans or simple activities.

Examples:

Are you Oh, you’re right! I

You can’t
ready to guess I’ll take a
use the car today.
Umm... order sir? taxi.
How are you going
Yes. I’ll have a
coffee for now. to the office?

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

b. For voluntary actions or offers: “Will” also means that the speaker will do
something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do. It is
not an obligation. We also use will when we want to offer help to someone
else.

Examples:
 I will open the
door for you. The phone is
ringing. I’ll
answer it.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

c. For predictions: Will can express a prediction about the future. Predictions
are guesses about what might happen in the future.

You will get a You

new job in a will buy a
few years. car.

You will
meet a beautiful
woman next
year!

You will
have a You
son. will be
rich!

Fuente: SENA
You can also make predictions about politics or sports:

No! Obama will be the

I think
Germany will be Colombia will next president.
the Champion win the
this year. championship!

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

d. For promises: Will is also used to express promises:

I will brush my
teeth before I will call you
going to bed. tomorrow

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

B. Structure

Affirmative
Subject Auxiliary Verb in infinitive Complement
verb
I
he
she
it will answer the phone.
we
you
they

Negative
Auxiliary
Subject Not Verb in infinitive Complement
verb
I
he
she
it will not drink coffee today.
we
you
they

Interrogative
Auxiliary Question
Subject Verb in infinitive Complement
verb mark

I
he
she
Will
it win the game ?
we
you
they
C. Contractions are common when we use will. Observe the examples in the chart
below:

Will not = won’t

Examples:

 I won’t finish this exercise today.

 She won’t wear jeans today.

 It won’t rain today.

2. Uses of like: I like vs. I would like to

A. Like + gerund: we use like + gerund to talk about things and activities we enjoy
doing regularly, such as hobbies and free time activities.

Like is followed by a gerund (verb + ing).

Examples:

What do you I like going I like reading

to the gym. comics.
do in your free
time? And you?

I like
listening to I like
rock music. We like watching
traveling. movies.
.
 Fuente de imágenes: SENA

B. If we make like + gerund negative, it expresses things we don’t like doing.

Examples:

I don’t like
I don’t like I don’t like I don’t like cooking.
eating working on wearing a
vegetables. weekends. tie.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Structure

Affirmative
Subject Like Gerund Complement
I
we
like
you
they visiting my family.
He
she likes
it
 Negative
Auxiliary
Subject Like Gerund Complement
verb
I
we
don’t
you
they like drinking beer.
he
she doesn’t
it

Interrogative
Auxiliary Question
Subject Like Gerund Complement
verb mark
I
we
Do you
they like playing football ?
he
Does she
it

C. Would like: Would like expresses intentions and things we wish to happen. It is
followed by a verb in the infinitive.

Examples: Would like + infinitive (to+verb)

I would like
to buy a car.
I would like
to have a
new job.

.
 I would like I would like
to live in to study
France. English.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Would like can also be followed by a noun:

She would like a new house. They would like a bigger table.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Structure

Affirmative
Auxiliary
Subject Like Verb Complement
verb
I
he
she
it would like to get a new smartphone.
we
you
they

Negative
Subject Auxiliary Not Like Verb Complement
verb
I
he
she
it would not like to live in a small apartment.
we
you
they

Interrogative
Auxiliary Question
Subject Like Verb Complement
verb mark
I
he
she
Would it like to visit New York ?
we
you
they

Attention: Contractions are common in spoken English when we use “would

like”.
 I would like I’d like
He would like He’d like
She would like She’d like
We would like We’d like
You would like You’d like
They would
They’d like
like

 I’d like to go to the movies on the weekend.

 She’d like to study philosophy.

 We’d like to have a bigger house.

Here are some other examples:

 She would not like to stay in Bogota on her vacations.

 He would like to ride a bicycle to work.

 Would you like to live alone?

 I would like to have a better job.

3. Gerunds: -ing forms of verbs

A. Gerunds are quite common in English. They are formed with the base of a verb
plus -ing. Although they look like verbs in present continuous, they have
different uses.

Gerunds can be affirmative or negative. Negatives are formed by putting not before
the -ing form.

Depending on the context and sentence, gerunds can be used as:

a. Objects: When gerunds are used as objects of a sentence, they are preceded
by a verb or preposition. They answer the question what? or whom? For
example, if I say: I love swimming, the gerund swimming tells what I love. It is
the object of the verb.

Examples:

 I love taking naps in the afternoon.

 She enjoys talking to her mother.

 We dislike cleaning the house.

 She is worried about losing her job.

 I miss not going to work.

 I avoid checking social networks at the office.

Common verbs followed by gerund: Observe the following chart. These verbs
are commonly followed by gerunds. Here, gerunds are used as objects in the
sentence.

Verbs to express likes and dislikes:

Verb Example
Love I love swimming in the beach. It is quite relaxing.
Enjoy Mark enjoys singing karaoke at the bar.
Dislike The baby dislikes taking a shower.
Hate I hate working in such stressful environment.
Don’t mind Karen doesn’t mind taking care of the baby.
Can’t stand Sofia can’t stand using high heels at the office.
Can’t bear I can’t bear living in such a mess!

Other verbs commonly followed by gerunds:

Verb Example
Appreciate I appreciate studying in this university.
Consider The government considers paying taxes is compulsory.
Delay They delayed moving to a bigger office due to the budget.
Deny He denied killing his girlfriend.
 Fancy I fancy jumping from an airplane.
Finish I always finish doing the dishes by 9.
Imagine Karl can’t imagine living without her.
Involve Your duties involve writing monthly reports.
Keep Andy keeps studying French in that academy.
Mention The teacher mentioned doing the presentations next class.
Mind Do you mind working extra hours?
Miss Does your mom miss speaking to you on the phone?
Practice I practice speaking French in my free time.
Prefer Do you prefer taking the test now?
Stop I usually stop working at noon to have lunch.
Suggest The doctor suggests moving to a peaceful place.

Attention: Some verbs from the list below can be followed either by a gerund
or an infinitive: like - love - hate - prefer - can’t stand.

Examples:

I like going to the movies on weekends.

Both are correct.
I like to go to the movies on weekends.

Arnold hates eating meat.

Both are correct.
Arnold hates to eat meat.

b. Subjects: When are used at the beginning of a sentence, gerunds become

subjects.

Examples:

 Working makes me hungry.

 Living in a big city is stressful.

 Smoking is not allowed.

 Not having a healthy diet is a cause of cancer.

 Drinking tea is relaxing.

c. After a preposition: Gerunds are commonly used when a verb comes after a
preposition. Some commonly used prepositions are at, in, on, of, with, about,
out, within, before, after, into, to:

Examples:

 She is good at dancing.

 Andres is interested in surfing.

 I always take a shower before sleeping.

 Do not seat without closing the door.

 I am thinking of moving to Medellin.

4. Hobbies and interests

A. Here is a list of common hobbies and interests. These can be expressed using
either a gerund or a noun.

Examples:

 Gerund: I like reading romantic stories.

 Noun: I like computer games.

Word / Word /
Picture Picture
expression expression

Camping Bowling
 Cooking Eating out

Gardening Painting

Playing the
Reading
guitar

Sailing Sunbathing

Traveling Watching TV
 Fishing Hiking

Dancing Jogging

Riding my
Driving
bike

Shopping Sightseeing

Playing card
Playing chess
games
 Playing
Going to the
computer
movies
games

The internet Doing puzzles

Playing
Driving cars
sports

Going to the Using

theater technology

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

 5. Media in the future

A. Here is a list of vocabulary related to media and communication:

Word / Word /
Picture Picture
expression expression

Social
Smartphones
networks

Blog News

Newspaper Radio

Television Forums
 Magazines Books

Cable TV The internet

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Contextualization
Matt and Tina are talking about smartphones. Read to the conversation.

Is that Yes, I bought it last

Saturday. I had to save But you only used
your new your old phone for 5
smartphone? money for about 2 Nothing, I just
months to buy it. I really months. What was
wrong with it? like having the
love using it. latest cell phone
all the time.
 Thanks.
Well, I sold It is really cutting
How much edge technology. It seems
did you pay my old phone for 200 pretty cool.
for it? dollars. Then I added Congratulations!
250 dollars to get
this one.

It’s got a
6 inch screen and a 16
Tell me megapixel camera. You
about it. can operate it just using I would like
your hands. to buy one of
those.

It is a
really good
option. Sometimes I think technology Definitely.
advances too fast. In the near Smartphones will
future we will have smartphones replace traditional
that can drive for us! computers.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

 Comprehension

A. Based on the conversation between Matt and Tina, choose true or false.
True False
1. Matt does not like his new smartphone.

2. The camera has 6 megapixels.

3. Matt sold his old phone.

4. Tina wouldn’t like to buy a similar smartphone.

B. According to the conversation, choose the best answer:

1. The new smartphone costs:

a. 450 dollars.
b. 200 dollars.
c. 250 dollars.

2. Matt bought the smartphone because:

a. he broke his old phone.

b. he’s keen on the latest technologies.
c. he didn’t like his old phone.

3. Tina believes:

a. smartphones will be able to drive for us.

b. smartphones are too expensive.
c. smartphones will be boring in the future.

4. Matt bought his phone:

a. two months ago.

b. last Saturday.
c. five months ago.
 Practice 1

A. Observe each situation and select the correct use of will from the options.

Two friends at the cinema

Welcome to I am sorry.
Madscreen cinema. “The castaway”
What movie would has already Ok, we will
you like to see? Do you still started. watch “Welcome
have seats for to New York” then.
“The castaway”? Two tickets
please.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

1. The speaker in this conversation uses will to express:

a. Voluntary action.
b. Prediction.
c. Promise.
d. Spontaneous decision.

A family having breakfast

Why do you
look so worried I am late Don’t worry. I
honey? for work will take Jessie
already! to school.
Thanks
dear.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

2. The speaker in this conversation uses will to express:

a. Voluntary action.
b. Prediction.
c. Promise.
d. Spontaneous decision.

Mother and daughter talking

I want a
new sweater
mom.
Of course
dear. I will buy
one for you
next weekend.

Fuente: SENA

3. The speaker in this conversation uses will to express:

a. Voluntary action.
b. Prediction.
c. Promise.
d. Spontaneous decision.

Two men talking about cars

I agree.
Cars are I think in the
very common future everybody
nowadays. will have a car.

Fuente: SENA
 4. The speaker in this conversation uses will to express:

a. Voluntary action.
b. Prediction.
c. Promise.
d. Spontaneous decision.

B. Complete the sentences with will using the subject and verb in brackets. The
sentences can be affirmative, negative or interrogative.

1. __________ a new smartphone. I don’t have enough money. (I / buy).

2. I have a strong stomachache mom. __________me to the hospital? (you /

take).

3. __________ to the party tonight? (Vanessa / come).

4. __________ me this weekend. I am so excited about it. (My sister / visit).

5. __________ today. Don’t forget your umbrella. (It / rain).

6. __________ something delicious for us tonight. (Mom / prepare).

7. __________ tennis tomorrow because I twisted my leg today. (I / play).

8. Don’t worry mom, __________ the dishes for you. (I / do).

C. Karl Benz is a candidate for president. Read his speech:

“I will not tolerate corruption in my government!

I will definitely increase taxes. With the money
collected, we will invest in education, so we
can create new schools. I will not increase the
police force. I think we already have enough
policemen in the streets. Instead I will train
them better and will provide them with new
tools and technology to enforce security. I will
not create more jobs. Instead we will motivate
people to create their own businesses,
especially poor people. Finally I won’t run for
president again in four years. I think 4 years
will be enough time for my government plan.”
Fuente: SENA
Now classify the following promises from Mr. Benz in the chart below. Write each
promise into the corresponding category:

Promises

- Increase taxes.

- Run for president again.

- Create new schools.

- Create new jobs.

- Tolerate corruption.

- Provide policemen with new tools and technology.

Mr. Benz will… Mr. Benz will not…

D. Each of these sentences has a mistake with the verb. Identify the mistake and
rewrite the sentences correcting the mistakes:

1. I will going to yoga tonight.

______________________

2. Will she sends the report to her boss?

______________________________

3. Alex will to play poker with his friends.

______________________________
 4. They not will win the game.
_________________________

5. It rain this afternoon.

_________________________

6. I won’t travels this summer.

___________________________

7. I will picking up the phone for you.

___________________________

8. Don’t worry. I will to be fine.

_________________________

E. Match each sentence with its corresponding complement. One example is done
for you:

I would like to have a car because lasagna is my favorite dish.

1. I like walking to work, for she is fed up with her job.

2. I like Italian food, and we have some friends

there.

3. I wouldn’t like to live in the city it is really noisy.

since
4. I like watching horror movies, I am really tired of using
though public transportation.
5. Ana would like to start her own my girlfriend prefers
company since romantic ones.
6. Maria likes drinking cappuccino, she has one every
so afternoon.
7. We would like to travel to Buenos it is healthy and I save
Aires next summer because money on transportation.
F. Matt and Tina are talking about news and media. Complete the conversation by
choosing like or would like to and changing the form of the verb in the
parenthesis.

Tina: So Matt, how do you catch up with

the news in the morning?

Matt: I __________ (like / would like to /

listen) to the news in the radio. I
always turn on the radio while I drive
to the office. How about you?

Tina: Well, I __________ (like / would like

to / listen) to the radio while I drive.
That would be fantastic. Unfortunately
I don’t have a car yet.

Matt: So how do you catch up with the

news anyway?

Tina: I __________ (like / would like to /

read) social networks while I am in
the metro. People usually post links to
interesting news.

Matt: Yes, social networks and digital

media are growing a lot. Nowadays
people __________ (like / would like
to / use) social networks to catch up
with the news. I think nobody reads
the printed newspaper anymore.

Tina: I don’t think so. I actually

___________ (like / would like to /
read) the newspaper on the weekend. Fuente: SENA
I usually do it while I have breakfast.

Matt: For me is fine, I like technology a lot. I think it is a lot easier to access
information online because it is always available.
 Practice 2

Read the article about the future of mass media.

We live in a world where technology shapes every

single aspect of our lives. Distances have been
shortened due to the fact that technology is a lot
cheaper now than it was in the past. Soon,
everyone will have an email account, a social
network subscription and a smartphone, among
other technological devices.

Mass media has not escaped this invasion of

technology. Digital technology will transform mass
media and the way people interact with
information, entertainment and communication.

Fuente: SENA Here are some predictions for the future of mass
media:

All media will be digital. Traditional newspapers will disappear, giving way to digital
ones. In fact, most newspapers today, if not all, have a digital version. Even some
newspapers are only available in the online version. People prefer to read the
news online than to buy the paper.

Desktop computers will also disappear. There will only be mobile devices, and as
mentioned above, they will be very cheap. So, everyone will be able to own one.
People prefer small devices because they can carry them everywhere. They are
lighter and more dynamic.

All information will be stored online. There will not be storing devices such as CDs
or USB flash drives. All mobile devices will just have a virtual memory to store
information online, in the cloud. We already have many of services of this type
such as iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.

Conventional TV will disappear. Cable companies will no longer exist. Instead, all
television will be online. You will be able to access to any program anytime from
any smart device.

The future of media seems promising. People will have to adapt to these rapid
changes and make the best of them.
A. Based on the article choose true or false.
True False
1. Technology was cheaper in the past.

2. There will not be printed newspapers in the future.

3. Mobile devices will not be as popular as now.

4. Everybody has an email account now.

5. Storing devices will disappear

B. According to the article, choose the best answer:

1. Cable TV companies will disappear because:

a. people will not watch TV.

b. people will use social networks all the time.
c. all television will be online.

2. In the future, smart devices will be:

a. available only to rich people.

b. not as common as today.
c. cheaper and more common.

3. People prefer mobile devices because:

a. conventional PCs are lighter.

b. they can take them everywhere.
c. they are more powerful than conventional PCs.

4. People will prefer digital newspapers because:

a. they are free.

b. they prefer to read online.
c. it is ecological.
C. Here are other predictions about the future. Organize the words so they form
correct affirmative sentences. Then, organize the words so they form questions.

1. will / cities / there / be / floating

Affirmative: ___________________________________.

Question: ____________________________________?

2. houses / robots / clean / will / our

Affirmative: ___________________________________.
.
Question: ____________________________________?

3. online / education / be / will / exclusively

Affirmative: ___________________________________.

Question: ____________________________________?

4. cancer / discover / cure / scientists / will / the / for

Affirmative: ___________________________________.

Question: ____________________________________?

5. only / mobile / be / phones / there / will

Affirmative: ___________________________________.

Question: ____________________________________?

6. planets / will / humans / live / other / on

Affirmative: ___________________________________.

Question: ____________________________________?

D. Read to these questions. Then, match them to the answers below by writing the
number of the question in front of the corresponding answer. Notice that the
answers have a preposition + gerund or a verb + gerund.
 Questions:

1. So Kate, why do you want to be a ballet dancer?

2. You are so clever. You got a 5 on the final test. Congratulations! What is your
secret anyway?

3. Why do you want to travel to the United States?

4. What do you usually do on weekends?

5. Teacher, how can I Improve my listening?

6. What you don’t like about living in a big city?

Answers:

 Because I am interested in learning English.

 I can’t stand using public transportation. It’s horrible.

 Because I am very good at dancing. v

 Well, I suggest watching movies without closed caption.

 I love going out with friends.

 Well, I always study before taking my exams.

E. Choose the preposition that best completes the sentence:

1. I am good ___ playing soccer. I have always played at school.

a. of
b. before
c. at

2. It is raining. Don’t leave ___ taking an umbrella.

a. at
b. without
c. in
 3. Luis is interested ___ traveling.

a. at
b. before
c. in

4. She is always nervous ___ seeing the doctor.

a. at
b. before
c. in

5. We are thinking ___ having a new baby.

a. about
b. before
c. in

F. Complete the sentences with the appropriate gerund using the base form of the
verbs from the box.

play - work - work - talk - eat - drive - do - sleep

1. Although __________ on the cell phone is not allowed in banks, some people
don’t follow this rule.

2. __________ eight hours is good for your health.

3. Doctors recommend __________ fruits and vegetables.

4. Even though __________ yoga is relaxing, I don’t quite like it.

5. She said that __________ in her city was really difficult.

6. She is the one who doesn’t mind __________on weekends.

7. She doesn’t enjoy dancing as much as she enjoys __________ the piano.

8. __________ as a teacher is really rewarding.

 Pronunciation practice

Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the
study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files.

A. Look at the transcription of the following words. Write the words.

Note: The symbol ˈ represents the stressed syllable. If the word

has three or more syllables, a secondary stress ˌ can also appear.

For example:

morning mathematician
ˈmɔr·nɪŋ ˌmæθ·ə·məˈtɪʃ·ən

Transcription Word Transcription Word

ˈtʃæm·pi·ənˌʃɪp ˌmæɡ·əˈzin
ˌʌn·dərˈstʊd əˈpri·ʃiˌeɪt
ˈboʊ·lɪŋ ˈɡɑr·dən·ɪŋ
ˈsʌnˌbeɪðɪŋ ˈnuzˌpeɪ·pər
ˈθi·ə·t̬ ər tekˈnɑl·ə·dʒi

B. Go to the multimedia and listen to the following words. Notice the stress patterns
in the following nouns which are composed by noun + noun or by an adjective +
noun.

Noun + Noun Adjective + Noun

Fortune-teller Social network

 Now, classify the words on the following list according to their stress pattern.

Card game New house

Romantic stories Bus stop

Computer game Beautiful woman

Cable TV Spontaneous decision

Peaceful place Football

Noun + Noun Adjective + Noun

C. Go to the multimedia and listen to the pronunciation of the following sentences.

Then, say them aloud. Try to imitate the intonation pattern used.

I will close the door for you.

She would like to live near her office.
Robots will clean our houses for us.
She is very good at dancing.
Drinking water is good for your health.
She likes drinking coffee in the mornings.
She will be the next president.
I would like to buy a new smartphone.
 Will you come for dinner tonight?
Speaking English is easy.
I will have a soda please.

Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert
Author Juan Carlos Asesor English Dirección de
October
Solano Dot Works - formación
profesional. 2014
Franco Programa de
bilingüismo Dirección General

Luz Clarena Copy editor – Centro

October
Adaptation Arias Línea de Agroindustrial.
2014
González Producción Regional Quindío