The Future

Forms
BE GOING TO-WILL
 BE GOING TO
 PLANS AND INTENTIONS
 I’m going to fly to Costa Rica next year.
 Sara is going to start a new job next month.
 I’m going to go to Costa Rica in July.
 I’m going to Costa Rica in July.
 IN CONVERSATION…
 I’m gonna fly to Costa Rica next year.
WILL

 Promises
 I’ll love you for ever and ever. (will)
 I won’t do it again. (will not)

 Offer help
 These bags are too heavy! I’ll take them for you.
 Instant decisions
 Ok, I’ll go with you.
BE GOING TO AND WILL
Predictions
It’s going to rain tonight.
It will rain tonight.
FACTS
Canada, Mexico and the US will host the next World Cup in 2026
Canada, Mexico and the US is going to host the next World Cup in 2026
When not sure…
What are you going to do this weekend?
Maybe I’ll clean my room.
I’ll probably work from home.
I might ride my bike.
I don’t know. Maybe I’ll watch some movies on Netflix.
Other ways to talk about the Future are:
Present Continuous
We sometimes use the present progressive instead of be going to when we talk about personal
plans and arrangements
4 I’m leaving at noon tomorrow.
(= I’m going to leave at noon tomorrow.)

5 A: What are you doing this weekend?

B: I’m taking my brother to the beach.
 Other ways to talk about the Future are:
Present Simple
We sometimes use the simple present to talk about a previously scheduled event in the future.
This is especially true when we are talking about timetables and official schedules.

1 The movie starts in five minutes.

2 Jen’s flight arrives at ten tomorrow.
3 My first exam is next Monday.

Common verbs used with the simple present to talk

about the future include:
arrive begin end leave start
be close finish open stop