5.2: Future- Will or Be Going to Introduced
- Page ID
- 271171
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| Will | Be Going To | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| For a decision made at the moment of speaking | Q: What would you like to order? A: I think I will have the chicken. |
For an action planned before the moment of speaking | I am going to buy a car. |
| For a prediction | The teacher will come soon. | For a prediction | The car is going to be expensive. |
| For an offer to help |
I will carry this heavy box for you. |
For a prediction with evidence (the future that you can see/hear/smell) | You are driving too fast.You're going to get a speeding ticket! |
| For a request or a refusal |
A: Will you marry me? B: No, I won't! |
||
| For a fact about the future | NASA will land a rocket on the moon in the future. | ||
| For an official or formal announcement | The college will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. | ||
| For a promise | He will call you in 5 minutes. |
Exercise 3.1
Directions: Use "will" or "be going to" to fill in the blank. If you can use both, write both
- I love you very much. I _____________________________ you. (always/love)
- We're hungry. We _____________________________ after class. (get something to eat)
- A) It's hot in here. B) I _____________________________ a window. (open)
- People _____________________________ more free time in the next 20 years. (have)
- Marco is tired. He _____________________________ at home tonight. (eat dinner)
- A): I have to move next Sunday. B): I _____________________________ you pack. (help)
- Larry left the door open. The cat_____________________________ (get) out!
- I think Americans _____________________________ longer in the future. (live)
- A): I don't want to cook tonight. B): Take a break. I _____________________________ tonight. (cook)
- The sky is full of dark clouds. It _____________________________ (rain).
Future Plans-Two Different Ways
As noted in the chart above, In English, there are two common ways to talk about future plans or events:
1. Future plans that are already made use the form: “be going to” + base verb.
- I am going to study in France next year.
- She is going to take a class with that professor next semester.
- Are you going to get a job when you graduate?
2. Plans made at the moment use the form: “will” + another verb.
- A: Will you come to my party? B: Of course! I will be there.
- I will call you after class. I promise!
- I'm tired. I think I will go home now.
Directions: Work with a partner to complete the conversation using the future tense. Think carefully about which form to use. Then practice reading the conversation together.
A: ______________________________________(you/study) here next semester?
B: No, ___________________________________(I/ study) here because I have a job offer.
A: Cool! When _____________________________you/start) the job?
B: _______________________________________(I/start) next April.
A: Where is the job?
B: _______________________________________(the job/ be) in San Francisco.
A: Wow! That’s great! I hope it is a good job.
B: Thanks!! Me too!
Follow-Up Activity
With your partner, create a new conversation that is similar to this conversation by changing some of the information. Read the conversation to your class.
Exercise 3.3-Writing Exercise
Practice Using the Future Tenses
1) Read the Article: "Five Things That Will Make You Happier" by Clara Moskowitz
2) Write: Make a plan to boost your happiness for the rest of the semester. What do you plan to do? How do you predict it will help? How certain are you about the results? Write a paragraph using future tenses to explain your plans.
Complete the paragraph by adding ideas to finish each sentence:
My Plan to Boost My Happiness
I have a plan to boost my happiness for the the rest of the semester. I want to .......and ........ I think it will help because.....It will probably/It will definitely/ Maybe it will..... What are your plans to boost your happiness?
Videos and Other Resources
Watch this video to learn more about future tenses...
Some content on this page from Grammar Slides for English Learners (Ferguson) shared under a not declared license and authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sara Ferguson.