Future Tense

FUTURE TENSES WITH “WILL”

Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

A. Notre: We use “Will” for future actions when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. (Do not use “will” to express future plans that have already been made at the time of speaking.)

Ex. It’s very hot in here

       Okay. I’ll open the window

I’m going to travel to Europe next summer

(Plan has already been made)

• Complete the following sentences with will (I’ll) and the correct verb from the list below.

Call/ have/ water/ walk/ mail/ go

1.   Would you like tea or coffee?

______________________________ tea, please..

2.   Would you like a ride home?

No, thanks. It’s a beautiful day. I think ___________________ home.

3.  We’re out of milk and I need some for the children.

Okay _______________________________ to the store and get some.

4. I just finished writing my brother a letter. Are you going to the post office now?

No, I’m not ___________________ it for you in the morning.

5.  These flowers look very dry.

Okay. ___________________________ them in a few minutes.

6.  Ken phoned while you were out.

Okay. __________________________ hi back after I finish lunch.

B. We often use “Will” for future predictions when we use the word “probably”

• For each of the situations below, predict something that will probably happen or something that will probably not happen.

Ex. Bob is going to take his driver’s test tomorrow. He didn’t practice

He’ll probably fail.   or    He’ll probably won’t pass.

1.   It’s raining. George doesn’t have an umbrella.

       

2.   Andy has a very bad cold.

       

3.  Nora didn’t sleep well last night.

4. Phil loves movies. There is a new movie playing at the theater tonight.

5.  Jan ate too much dessert last night and now she has a stomachache.