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5.3: Future Time with Be Going to, Present Progressive or Simple Present

  • Page ID
    265804
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    In the previous section. we learned that we can use "be going to + base form" to talk about plans. These plans can be definite or indefinite.

    • Indefinite Plans
      • Someday, I am going to return to college to get a second degree.
      • In the future, we are going to move to the suburbs.
    • Definite Plans
      • We are going on a picnic this weekend.
      • Johnny is going to attend a private school this fall.

    We can use present progressive or simple present in specific situations to talk about the future.

    Present progressive can be used for plans or arrangements that are definite:

    • We're traveling to Europe this summer. We have the tickets and reservations.
    • I am meeting with my professor tomorrow to discuss our assignment.

    Simple present tense is usually used for scheduled events in the future:

    • The train leaves at 2:00 PM.
    • The class meets from 8:30 to 10:30 on Monday and Wednesday.

    Practice 1:

    Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "be going to" or present progressive. Some questions may have two answers.

    1. Sarah __________________ a doctor when she finishes medical school. (be)
    2. I believe our team __________________ the race. (win)
    3. He __________________ his car fixed tomorrow morning. (get)
    4. They __________________ to the beach this weekend if the weather is nice. (go)
    5. We ___________________ a new house next year. (buy)
    6. The weather forecast says it __________________ cold later, so you will need to bring a jacket. (get)
    7. Someday, I __________________ a trip around the world. (take)
    8. John and Mary __________________ married next month. (get)
    9. They __________________ a big party for their anniversary next week. (have)
    10. She __________________ her own business in the future. (start)

    Practice 2:

    Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (simple present or present progressive) in parentheses.

    1. The concert (begin) ____________________________ at 7 PM tomorrow evening.
    2. Tomorrow morning, we (have) _________________________________ a meeting with the manager.
    3. They (fly) ________________________ to London next month for a vacation.
    4. We (go) ___________________________ to our favorite restaurant tonight.
    5. The conference (start) _______________ on Monday and (end) _________________ on Wednesday.
    6. My parents (arrive) ______________________ on Friday for a weekend visit.
    7. She (not work) _________________________________ on Saturday because it's her day off.
    8. We (not have) _______________________________ any classes next week due to the holiday.
    9. The new school semester (begin) _________________________________ in January.
    10. He (attend) ___________________________ a conference next week.

    5.3: Future Time with Be Going to, Present Progressive or Simple Present is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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