2.2 Future Tenses
Will, going to, present continuous.
Talking About the Future
In English, there are several ways to talk about the future. Each form has its own uses!
Three main ways:
1. Will + infinitive
2. Be going to + infinitive
3. Present continuous (for arranged plans)
Positive: I will help you. / I'll help you.
Negative: I will not go. / I won't go.
Question: Will you come?
Use "will" for:
1. Instant decisions (decided at the moment of speaking)
- "The phone is ringing." - "I'll answer it."
- "I'll have the pizza, please."
2. Predictions (opinions/beliefs)
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
- She will probably be late.
3. Promises and offers
- I will always love you. (promise)
- I'll carry that for you. (offer)
4. Facts about the future
- The sun will rise at 6:30 tomorrow.
Positive: I am going to study. / I'm going to study.
Negative: She is not going to come. / She isn't going to come.
Question: Are you going to help?
Use "be going to" for:
1. Plans and intentions (already decided)
- I'm going to visit my grandmother this weekend.
- They're going to buy a new car.
2. Predictions based on evidence (you can see something)
- Look at those clouds! It's going to rain.
- She's running too fast. She's going to fall!
Use present continuous for:
Fixed arrangements (specific plans with time/place)
- I'm meeting Sarah at 3 o'clock.
- We're flying to London on Friday.
- She's starting a new job next week.
Note: This is used when arrangements are definite - you have a time, place, or appointment confirmed.
Comparison:
- I'm going to meet Sarah. (plan/intention)
- I'm meeting Sarah at 3 o'clock. (fixed arrangement)
Choose the best future form for each situation:
"It's going to rain." (prediction based on evidence)
2. Someone asks what you want to drink:
"I'll have a coffee, please." (instant decision)
3. You have concert tickets for Saturday:
"I'm going to a concert on Saturday." (fixed arrangement)
4. You have decided to learn guitar:
"I'm going to learn guitar this year." (plan/intention)
5. Someone drops their books:
"I'll help you." (offer, instant decision)
❌ "I will to go" → ✓ "I will go" (no "to" after will)
❌ "I am go to study" → ✓ "I am going to study"
❌ "She will goes" → ✓ "She will go" (no -s after will)
❌ "I'm going to meeting him" → ✓ "I'm going to meet him" (infinitive after going to)
Remember: After "will" and "going to", use the base form (infinitive without "to").
- tomorrow
- next week/month/year
- in two days
- on Monday
- this weekend
- tonight
- later
- soon
- in the future
Example: "I'll see you tomorrow."
Which sentence expresses an instant decision?
You look at the sky and see dark clouds. What do you say?
Complete with "will" or "be going to":
Look! That car ___ crash! (evidence)
"I don't have a pen." - "I ___ lend you mine." (offer)
I ___ visit my cousins next summer. (plan)
I think she ___ win the competition. (prediction/opinion)
Write about your future. Use each form once:
- Will (promise or prediction)
- Going to (plan)
- Present continuous (fixed arrangement)
Choose the best future form and explain why:
a) "What are your summer plans?" - "We __ (travel) to Greece."
b) "Someone is at the door." - "I _ (open) it."
c) "Why did you buy that paint?" - "I _ (paint) my room."
d) "Do you think Norway __ (win) the match?"
We ___ (travel) to Greece.
I ___ (open) it.
I ___ (paint) my room.
Norway ___ (win)
Oppsummering
I dette kapittelet har du lært:
- Talking about the future: Three main ways: will, be going to, and present continuous.
- Will: Used for instant decisions, predictions, promises and offers.
- Be going to / present continuous: 'Going to' = plans/intentions; present continuous = fixed arrangements with a time.
Hugs!
- Instant decision? Use 'will': 'I'll answer it.'
- Already-decided plan? Use 'going to': 'I'm going to visit my grandmother.'
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