WAYS OF EXPRESSING FUTURE

(Modalități de exprimare a timpului viitor)

1) Present simple
2) Present continuous
3) be going to
4) Future simple / future -will

1. PRESENT SIMPLE
e.g The London train leaves at 7.00 p.m.
The movie starts at 5.30 p.m.
The game ends at 8.00 o’clock.

Use:
We use present simple with a future meaning for timetables(orare)/schedules
(programe)/programs and dates.

!!Folosim această structură cu aspect de viitor pentru a exprima acțiuni, situații care funcționează în
baza unui orar, program, calendar etc deja stabilit.
!! Folosit în special când vorbim de mersul trenurilor/avioanelor/autobuzelor, programul
cinematografelor/meciurilor/orelor etc.

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
eg. What are you doing tonight?
I’m watching a movie with my son.

I’m having a party tomorrow.

I’m travelling to Paris next month. The train leaves at 9.00 o’clock in the morning.

Used:
We use present continuous for fixed arrangements in the near future, especially when we talk about
plans for fixed time and/or plans.

!!Folosim prezentul continuu pentru a exprima o actiune cu aspect de viitor, atunci cand vorbim de
planuri deja stabilite. De remarcat in aceste situatii se mentioneaza momentul cand se vor intampla
aceste actiuni.
3. BE GOING TO + main verb

eg.
Look! It’s going to rain. (I see the sky full of clouds).
Clara is going to have a baby next month. (we see Clara pregnant)
I’m going to visit Spain next year.
I’m not going to travel this year.

Used:
We use “be going to” to make predictions (predictii) about the future based on what we can see/know
(there’s evidence that something is going to happen).
We use “be going to” to talk about intentions/ plans that people have decided (not) to do in the future.