THE FUTURE (2) = PLANS, PREDICTIONS, PROMISES...

FUTURE TENSES: PLANS, PREDICTIONS, PROMISES....

1.    PLANS:

a) Present continuous (to be + -ing): 100% sure = arrangements

ü  I’m playing tennis this afternoon.

b) Be going to + infinitive: not 100% sure = intention

ü  What are you going to do when you leave school?

2.    PREDICTIONS:

a) Be going to + infinitive: immediate predictions based on present evidence or knowledge:

ü  My nose is tickling. I think I’m going to sneeze.

b) Will + bare infinitive or will + be + -ing: a mid/long-term prediction

or will + bare infinitive for a normal prediction about the weather:

ü  In ten years’ time, we will live / will be living in Africa.

ü  It will rain in a few days.

3.     OTHER USES OF WILL:

a) Spontaneous decisions:

ü  (at a restaurant) I will have a salad.

 b) Offers:

ü  I’ll help you with your luggage.

 c) Promises/determination and refusal:

ü  I’ll pay you back next week.

ü  Don’t insist. I won’t go.

 d) With I think I…, I don’t think I…, I’m sure I…, I hope I... and Maybe I..:

ü  I feel hungry. I think I will have something to eat.

ü  I’m a bit tired. Maybe I won’t go out tonight.