Talking about the Future

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1. Different Ways to Express Future

There are four main ways to talk about the future in English:

1. Will + base verb (Future Simple)
2. Be going to + base verb
3. Present Simple
4. Present Continuous

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2. Will + Base Verb (Future Simple)

When to use:

a) Predictions (based on opinion)

• I think it will rain tomorrow.
• She will probably pass the exam.

b) Spontaneous decisions

• I'm hungry. I will make a sandwich.
• The phone is ringing. I will answer it.

c) Promises and offers

• I will help you with your homework.
• We will be there on time.

d) Future facts

• The sun will rise tomorrow.
• Next year, I will be 25 years old.

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3. Be Going To + Base Verb

When to use:

a) Plans and intentions

• I am going to visit my parents next week.
• She is going to study medicine.
• They are going to buy a new car.

b) Predictions with evidence

• Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
• The traffic is terrible. We are going to be late.

c) Something is about to happen

• Watch out! The ball is going to hit you.
• The movie is going to start in five minutes.

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4. Present Simple

When to use:

a) Scheduled events (timetables, programs)

• The train leaves at 8:30 AM.
• The movie starts at 7 PM.
• School begins in September.

b) Fixed arrangements

• The meeting takes place tomorrow.
• The conference opens on Monday.

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5. Present Continuous

When to use:

a) Arrangements with specific time/place

• I am meeting John tomorrow at 3 PM.
• We are having dinner at that restaurant tonight.
• She is flying to Paris next week.

b) Future plans that are organized

• They are moving to London next month.
• We are celebrating her birthday on Saturday.

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6. Comparison Table

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7. Common Mistakes

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8. Time Expressions

Different future forms often use different time expressions:

Will:

• tomorrow, next week, soon, later, in the future

Be going to:

• tomorrow, next week, this weekend, in a few days

Present Simple:

• at 8 AM, on Monday, in September, next year

Present Continuous:

• tomorrow at 3 PM, this evening, next week

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9. Mixed Examples

• Will: "I think it will snow tomorrow." (prediction)
• Be going to: "I am going to buy a new car next month." (plan)
• Present Simple: "The store opens at 9 AM." (schedule)
• Present Continuous: "I am seeing the doctor tomorrow." (arrangement)

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Quick Review

• Will: predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises, future facts.
• Be going to: plans, intentions, predictions with evidence.
• Present Simple: scheduled events, timetables, fixed arrangements.
• Present Continuous: arrangements with specific time/place.
• Choose the right form based on what you want to express.
• Time expressions can help you choose the correct structure.