FUTURE TENSES

This is an example of a conversation using different future tenses. Below you’ll find the table
that summarizes the rules. The colours of the highlighted words correspond to the colours of
the table.

Henri: Hello.

Fabio: Oh hi, Henri. It's Fabio here.

Henri: Fabio, hi. Have you finished the essay on the differences between British and American
English yet?

Fabio: No, not yet. I'm going to finish it tonight. What about you?

Henri: I'm finding it quite tough especially when it comes to idioms. In Bill Bryson's book ... it's
quite funny actually ... he says it can take years for an American to master British idioms and the
other way round ... but I'm definitely going to finish it by tomorrow's class.  I want it out of the
way!

Fabio: Henri, I'm just phoning to ask – James and I are going to the cinema on Thursday
evening. Do you want to come?

Henri: No, I can't. I'm giving my presentation to the language seminar group on Friday.

Fabio: Oh, of course.

Henri: So I have to prepare that. I'm doing it on the growth of Arabic. I read something recently that
said that Arabic is the fastest growing of the world languages.

Fabio: Yeah, I saw something that said international agencies like Al Jazeera will provide a
standard model ... almost like the BBC. I saw an article about it in the paper the other day. I'll find it
for you.

Henri: Thanks, that'd be great. When's your presentation?

Fabio: It isn't till the end of next week.

Henri: Do you know what you're doing?

Fabio: Yeah, I'm probably doing mine on spelling and how important it is.

Henri: That's interesting. I saw a film a while ago on spelling competitions in America. They're
really popular there. Anyway, I'd better get on with the essay. I'll see you at the lecture tomorrow.

Fabio: Great, and I'll text you when I find that paper.

Henri: Thanks. Bye.

Fabio: Bye.
 1.

PREDICTION INTENTION

WILL
WILL

PREDICTION INTENTION / FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

GOING TO - GOING TO

- Present Continuous (DIARY FUTURE)

2
PREDICTION (breve e/o lungo termine)
INTENTION (decision made at the time of
speaking)
WILL
WILL
“Agencies like Al Jazeera will provide a
standard model” “I'll find it for you.”

PREDICTION (breve termine) INTENTION / FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

GOING TO - GOING TO

I'm definitely going to finish it……

It’s GOING TO RAIN

- Present Continuous (AGENDA

FUTURE)

I’m probably doing mine on…

PREDICTION (breve e/o lungo termine)

INTENTION (decision made at the time of
speaking)
WILL
“Agencies like Al Jazeera will provide a
standard model”
Usato per previsioni basate sull’opinione del
parlante. Spesso introdotto da verbi di opinione
come ‘think, believe, hope’
Nel parlato spesso (e sempre di più) si sente
gente usare in questo caso anche il ‘going to’ )
PREDICTION (breve termine)
GOING TO
Non è nel testo della listening, ma abbiamo
detto che è usato quando ho un dato oggettivo
nel PRESENTE e faccio una previsione.
Vedo le nuvole nere>>>piove.
It’s GOING TO RAIN
WILL
“I'll find it for you.”
Nella forma interrogativa si usa SHALL per le
prime persone singolare e plurale ‘I’ ‘we’
“Shall I find it for you?”
Per le altre persone ‘will’.
“Will you help me?”
Spesso gli italiani sbagliano, perché in queste
situazioni usano un semplice ‘Present simple’
INTENTION / FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
- GOING TO
I'm definitely going to finish it……
Usato per esprimere intenzionalità. Corrisponde
all’italiano: ho intenzione di….
- Present Continuous (AGENDA
FUTURE)
I’m probably doing mine on…
Molto simile al ‘going to’ di questo
settore verde, ma lo si preferisce quando
c’è più sicurezza di fare l’azione (ho già
i biglietti, ho già parlato con il mio
amico, l’ho messo in agenda)