Talking about future
1 TALKING ABOUT FUTURE EVENTS
TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
We use Present Simple to talk about future events that are scheduled. Such statements
are about future events and are based on present facts that are fixed like a time-table,
schedule, calendar.
Example: The train departs in 10 minutes.
We use the Present Continuous or going to to talk about actions and events that usually
are already decided or planned.
Present Continuous can be used to talk about personal arrangements and fixed plans
for the future events.
Example: What are you doing this evening?
Going to puts an emphasis on the idea of intention. It also refers to the events that are
outside people’s control.
Example: I am going to ask Paul to stop borrowing my car.
Look at the sky! It is going to rain.
We use will to talk about future facts and for things that are less certain. We often make
a decision at the moment of speaking. We also make an offer or promise.
Example: I think the pandemic will end next year.
It’s cold so I will close the window.
Social Conversation 2021
We should use different structures to express different levels of certainty or probability of
events happening.
% probability of Structure Used for Example
event happening
0% Will No plan I think I will buy a
new car.
70 % Going to Intention I’m going to call you
tonight.
90 % Present Continuous Plan I’m going to the
cinema on Friday.
99% Present Simple Schedule The train departs at
10 pm.
Two sentences below are similar. Explain the difference between them. Decide which one is an
arrangement and which one is an intention.
A. I am going to get a new job.
I am getting a new job.
B. I am seeing Peter tomorrow.
I am going to see Peter tomorrow.
C. I am visiting my grandma in the afternoon.
I am going to visit my grandma in the afternoon.
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE
look forward to sth - to feel pleased and excited about something
that is going to happen
I'm really looking forward to the trip.
I’m looking forward to seeing my friend.
look forward to sth can also be used at the end of a formal letter
to say you hope to hear from or see someone soon
I look forward to hearing from you.
Social Conversation 2021
2 SPEAKING TIME
2.1 TELL US HOW YOU IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE.
1. What job would you like to have ten years from now?
2. How useful will English be for your future?
3. How much travelling do you hope to do in the future?
4. How do you think your life will change in the future?
2.2 TELL US ABOUT A PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT WHEN THE PANDEMIC ENDS.
1. Where do you want to go? When?
2. How will you travel?
3. What will you do during the journey?
4. What will you do when you arrive?
2.3 TELL US YOUR PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING DAYS.
3 DISCUSSION
Discuss the following questions.
1. Do you think houses will be more environmentally friendly in the future? Why?
2. What will happen if we keep polluting the environment?
3. Will the climate keep changing or go back to normal? What will it be like in 10, 50, 100 years
from now?
4. Will science find a solution to the environmental problems we have? What kind of solution
will it be?
5. When will humans live on another planet? What will it be like?
6. In 50 years there are projected to be 10 billion people on the earth. How will that affect the
future?
7. Will computers ever take over the world?
8. How will medicine and health care change in the future?
9. How will fashion change in the future?
10. Do you think it will be more or less important to have a good education in the future?
11. What other things will change about life in the future?
12. What is something that will happen in the future that you are looking forward to?
Social Conversation 2021
