Exercise 1

MEANS OF EXPRESSING FUTURE ACTIONS COMPARED
Matching exercise

Study the information and match the items on the right to the items on the left.
The Present Indefinite is used to denote facts in schedules, timetables and itineraries:
The course starts in September.
We arrive at 6 a.m. at Milan airport.


The Present Indefinite and the Present Perfect Simple are used to talk about the future after the conjunctions of time such as before, after, when, till, until and as soon as, if the clause refers to the future.
Let’s get together as soon as you arrive.
I’ll call you after I’ve spoken to them.

The Present Indefinite is also used in clauses of condition referring to the future, introduced by the conjunction if.
I’ll do it if you help me.

The Present Continuous is used to talk about definite arrangements or plans, often involving other people:
What are you doing today? I’m having lunch with Mitsuko.

The following phrases can also be used for intentions and plans: to be planning to / hoping to + infinitive, to be thinking of + V -ing
Pete’s hoping to go to university next year.
Are you thinking of leaving the company?


To be going to + infinitive is used
1) to talk about general plans, arrangements and intentions about the future
I’m going to look for a job after arriving in Kuala Lumpur.
2) to denote predictions when there is evidence that something will happen in the near future
Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain. (I can see dark clouds)
Lisa is going to have a baby. (the pregnancy has started)


Use might / could + infinitive
1) when a plan or intention is not definite
We might go away for the weekend, we’re not sure yet.
2) to make predictions based on opinion. Use with verbs such as think, hope, expect, know, reckon, guess, be sure.

The Future Indefinite is used to talk about/express
1) new decisions made at the moment of speaking (on-the-spot decisions). This is often used with I think.
I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed now.
2) to make predictions based on opinion. Use with verbs such as think, hope, expect, know, reckon, guess, be sure, or adverbs such as maybe, perhaps.
I expect Sara will be late as usual.
3) to express offers, promises, requests, refusals
I’ll help you with the advertising campaign
I promise you won’t lose your job.

Will you give a presentation on the sales figures?

Use will + definitely/certainly/ possibly/ probably to say how certain you are. Note the word order with won’t:
Jodie and Al will probably get divorced soon.
You definitely won’t get a ticket now. They’ll be sold out.

The following phrases also express strong possibility: be likely (to/that), may well, there’s a good chance that.
I’m likely to be / It’s likely that I’ll be tired after the journey.
The internet may well mean the end of printed newspapers.
There’s a good chance that Brazil will win the Cup.


The Future Continuous is used to express
1) actions in progress at a stated future time
This time next week I’ll be travelling round Russia on business.
2) actions which will definitely happen in the future as a result of a routine/ arrangement/ the normal course of events
The company Chairperson will be arriving on Thursday.
3) habits/ repeated actions at a point in the future
I think that, in the future, more and more people will be commuting to work by plane.
4) asking politely about someone's plans for the near future
Will you be talking to Jim later? Could you send my best regards to him?

The Future Perfect Simple is used to denote
1) actions which will be finished before a stated future time
It looks as if Jake will have lost his job by the end of the week.
2) continuing situations up to a certain time
This time next month, I’ll have worked at the company for exactly 25 years.

The Future Perfect Continuous is used to emphasise the duration of an action up to a certain time in the future: This time next month, I’ll have been working at the company for exactly 25 years.

To be + infinitive (with to) is used for formal arrangements and obligations:
The factory is to open in July.
You are to get those reports written before Friday!

Be due to is used for formal arrangements:
I’m due to meet my boss at eleven o’clock.
I like these shoes. I'll buy them.
They will have eaten lunch by two o'clock this afternoon.
I'm going to open my own business in the future.
This time tomorrow, I’ll be taking my driving test.
By the time Jack finishes the race, he will have been running for two hours.
Everyone believes he will win the competition.
I'll tell Paul about the party. I'll be seeing him at work anyway.
Will you be speaking to Rob later? I've got a message for him.
Look at them! They are going to catch the thieves.
Since you're tired, I’ll cook dinner tonight.