This document discusses different ways to talk about the future in English using verb tenses. It explains the present continuous tense is used for future arrangements involving travel plans or fixed events happening in the near future. The "be going to" construction expresses predictions based on present evidence or intentions and plans. The modal verb "will" is used to make predictions without present evidence or to discuss decisions, offers, and promises. The document provides examples of different future tense structures and has exercises for learners to practice identifying the correct future tense based on contexts.

1. Talking future

2. Talking future
future arrangements
predictions with present evidence
predictions
decisions
offers
promises

3. Future tenses
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• I’m meeting Peter for dinner tonight.
• They aren’t coming until Monday.
• What are you doing this evening?

4. Future tenses
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
(plans made at a fixed time or place in the
future)
•
Is she coming to the party?

5. Future tenses
BE GOING TO
• I’m going to interview the Mayor.
• Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain.

6. Future tenses
FUTURE PLANS OR INTENTIONS
•
•
I’m going to work for a charity.
She is going to buy that car.

7. Future tenses
TO MAKE A PREDICTION WHEN
THERE IS PRESENT EVIDENCE
THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO
HAPPEN.
•
•
She is pregnant. She’s going to have a baby.
He studies very hard. He’s going to pass his
exams.

8. Future tenses
PRESENT CONTINUOUS?
BE GOING TO?

9. Future tenses
PRESENT CONTINUOUS (FUTURE
ARRANGEMENTS)
Usually with:
• expressions like tonight, tomorrow, this
weekend, etc.
• verbs describing travel arrangements (go,
come, leave, arrive)

10. Future tenses
WILL / WON’T
•
•
It’s a great film.You’ll like it.
I won’t be here tomorrow.

11. Future tenses
PREDICTIONS
(to say things we think, guess or know about
the future)
•
•
Call him at 6 p.m. He’ll be at home.
Don’t have a coffee now.You won’t sleep well.

12. Future tenses
DECISIONS, OFFERS & PROMISES
•
•
•
It suits me perfectly. I’ll get it.
Don’t worry. I´ll help you.
I promise. I’ll be there for you.

13. Future tenses
DECISIONS
•
I won’t stay for dinner. I’ll go home now.

14. Future tenses
OFFERS
•
A: It is very hot here.
B: I’ll open the window.
•
Shall I help you?

15. Future tenses
PROMISES
•
My lips are sealed. I won’t tell anybody.

16. Future tenses
Tense
Example
Meaning
present
continuous
I’m leaving for London tomorrow.
future arrangements
I’m going to see him tonight.
future arrangements
It’s going to rain.
future prediction
present evidence
You´ll love London.It’s a wonderful city.
predictions
No way. I won’t go!
decisions
Don’t worry. I’ll do the cooking for you.
offers
I’ll help you with your homework later.
promises
be going to
will /won’t

17. Future tenses
YOUR TURN
Read the following sentences and decide the
correct future tense for each of them.
Example: At a restaurant:
Waiter:What would you like to have, sir?
Customer: I .... (have) only a dish of salad, please.

18. Future tenses
It’s a cloudy day today. I think it ..... (rain) soon.

19. Future tenses
I ... (see) my dentist this evening. I booked
my appointment yesterday.

20. Future tenses
A: Let’s go! Are you ready?
B: No, I ... (be) ready in a minute.

21. Future tenses
A: This project is too difficult for me to do.
B: Do not worry. I ... (help) you.

22. Future tenses
What ... she ... (wear) at the party
tomorrow?

23. Future tenses
We ... (go) to the concert tonight. We have
the tickets.

24. Future tenses
My hands are very dirty. I ... (wash) them
now.

25. Future tenses
I have a test tomorrow. I ... (sit) and ... (study)
now.

26. Future tenses
If you are busy now, I ... (call) you later.

27. Future tenses
He feels very tired. I think he ... (go)
to bed soon.

28. Future tenses
YOUR TURN
Look at the picture and choose the correct
sentence for each situation.

29. Future tenses
Don’t worry. I´ll
answer it.
I know. I’m going
to answer it.

30. Future tenses
Great! I’ll do the
shopping.
Yes. I’m going to
do the shopping
for it now.

31. Future tenses
you’ll fall!
you’re going to
fall!

32. Future tenses
it will rain later
today.
it’s going to rain.

33. Future tenses
you will be rich
and famous.
you’re going to
be rich and
famous.

34. FUTURE TIME CLAUSES
•After the winter is over, I’ll start to work
on the garden.
•Gary’s parents will be very happy when
he qualifies as a doctor.
•As soon as it starts to rain, I’ll bring the
washing in.