Futurepresentation
- 2. Going to Will Will Be going to Scheduled event The lecture will begin at 9 p.m. tonight. The lecture is going to begin at 9 p.m. tonight. Prediction Because you study hard, you will succeed. There are clouds. It will probably rain. Because you study hard, you’re going to succeed. There are clouds. It is probably going to rain. Fact The sun will rise at 6 a.m. tomorrow. The sun is going to rise at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
- 3. Going to Will Will Be going to Definite plan I am going to study Spanish next year in Spain. Promise I will always love you. I will never leave you. Volunteer (no prior intention) I’ll help you with your homework. Sure, I’ll hold the door for you. No problem!
- 4. We can use the SIMPLE PRESENT to express the future for events that happen on a schedule, such as a class, a train, or a plane: 1. Class begins tomorrow at 8 a.m. 2. The train arrives at 9 p.m. tonight. 3. The plane departs at 11 tomorrow morning.
- 5. We can use the PRESENT PROGRESSIVE for events that are PLANNED for the NEAR FUTURE: 1. I’m meeting my mother for lunch tomorrow. 2. You’re coming tonight, right? 3. We’re traveling to Africa next month.
- 6. We use BE ABOUT TO + SV to express the IMMEDIATE FUTURE. 1. The sky is so dark. It’s about to rain. 2. Hurry and take your seat! The train is about to leave. 3. I arrived when the teacher was just about to start class.
- 7. In a future time clause, the verb inside the time clause should be the simple present and the verb inside the main clause should be the future tense. After I eat lunch, I will take a nap. He is going to call his mother after he finishes dinner. As soon as you call me, I’ll pick you up. Words that introduce future time clauses: Before, after, when, as soon as, by the time...
- 8. An IF-CLAUSE follows the same rule as a future time clause. Therefore, when using an IF-CLAUSE, the verb inside the IF-CLAUSE should be the simple present and the verb inside the main clause should be the future tense. If I don’t answer the phone, you will know I’m asleep. His mother is going to be disappointed if he doesn’t call after dinner. If you call me, I’ll pick you up.