Reference table/Practice exercise future usage: RP3-01G
Other English Grammar Lessons
The following table summarises for intermediate-level students the various constructions used to express the future, and when they are used.
|
No: |
function |
language |
My examples |
|
1 |
Plans/intentions |
Am/is/are going + to infinitive |
We’re going to take our holidays later this year. Are you going to sit the exams in June? |
|
2 |
Things which you can see will happen in a moment |
As above▲ |
You’re going to be cold if you go out with no coat! We’re going to be late, hurry up! |
|
3 |
Spur-of-the-moment decisions |
Will (‘ll) + infinitive without to [negative: will not (won’t)] |
‘Actually, I won’t have the lamb, I’ll have the fish.’ ‘It’s just started raining. I’ll give you a lift home.’ |
|
4 |
Natural / public future events |
As 2 above▲ but no contractions in formal usage
|
The Mayor will not open the annual garden party this year. It will soon be the longest day of the year. |
|
5 |
Arrangements |
Am / is are + -ing |
We’re meeting Rosie for tea at 4.30. I’m not having my hair cut until next week. |
Do the word order exercise on the right in order to produce one more example of each type found on the left. NOTE: Do not add or take away any words
|
My examples |
Your example (put the words in the correct order*) |
|
We’re going to take our holidays this year. Are you going to sit the exams in June? |
going / a / she / is / new / to / for / job / apply |
|
You’re going to be cold if you go out with no coat! We’re going to be late, hurry up! |
to / he’s / that / fall / bicycle / going / off / ! |
|
‘Actually, I won’t have the lamb, I’ll have the fish.’ ‘It’s just started raining. I’ll give you a lift home.’ |
Don’t worry if you’re ill, the / Thursday / we’ll / meeting / to / change |
|
The Mayor will not open the annual garden party this year. It will soon be the longest day of the year. |
year / will / a / my / this / on / be / birthday / Sunday
|
|
We’re meeting Rosie for tea at 4.30. I’m not having my hair cut until next week. |
class / again / our / is / Wednesday / next / Spanish / starting |
Practice exercises for the future tense
· Language use types 1 and 4 from the top table are tested in P3-01G
· Types 1 and 3 are tested in P3-02G
· Type 1 & 5 are tested in P3-03G
· Types 1, 3 & 5 are tested in upper intermediate file P4-12G.
· The entire table, types 1-5, is tested in P4-13G
Answers for word order exercise:
She is going to apply for a new job.
He’s going to fall off that bicycle!
(Don’t worry if you’re ill), we’ll change the meeting to Thursday.
This year my birthday will be on a Sunday.
Our Spanish class is starting again on Wednesday.
* scroll down to bottom of page for answers