future: revise the basics: will, going to or present progressive? future in the present We generally use present forms (present progressive or am/are/is going to) when we can see the future in the present: we already see things coming or starting. We prefer will (the most common form) when we are simply giving information about the future, with no special reason for using present forms. Compare: • I'm seeing Janet on Tuesday, (the arrangement exists now.) I wonder if she'll recognise me. (not talking about the present) m We're going to get anew car. (The decision already exists.) I hope it wilt be better than the old one. (not talking about the present) plans Be going to and the present progressive can both be used to talk about plans. We use the present progressive mostly when the time and/or place are fixed. Compare: I'm going to take a holiday some time soon. Joe's spending next week in France. Emma's going to study biology. Phil's starting work on Monday. Q Rewrite the sentences, putting in expressions from the box and using the present progressive. (Different answers are possible.) for tomorrow's concert from March 1 st next month next week next year on Saturday on Tuesday this evening tomorrow morning ► I'm going to play tennis with Andy. I'm. pU?yli^0 teL^f\Xs with. AiA.Gtij ov^ &atu.rdai^. 1 We're going to see Sarah. 2 I'm going to start fencing lessons. 3 We're going to meet the accountants. 4 I'm going to get the car serviced. 5 They're going to close the road for repairs. 6 Everybody's going to get a free ticket. 7 The air traffic controllers are going to strike. 8 All the train companies are going to put their prices up. decisions We prefer be going to and the present progressive for decisions and plans (see above) that exist in the present - they have already been made. We prefer will to announce decisions as we make them. Compare: 'We've got a lot of bills to pay! 'I know. I'm going to do them all on Monday! "The plumbers bill has just come in! 'OK, I'll pay it! 30 PRESENT AND FUTURE in /'// or I'm going to. . decided. ..['.^3.?^}?................. take a week off. Is Alice coming round?' 'Wait a minute......................................phone and ask her.' I've left my money at home.' Again? OK......................................pay.' Do you want to go for a walk?' 'No......................................get some work done.' got a headache' '.....................................get you an aspirin.' .....................................sell this car - it's giving me nothing but trouble. an you answer the phone if it rings? .....................................have a shower. ..................................change my job soon. Ihere's the doorbell.' '.....................................go.' 'ons: what we expect We prefer going to when we can already see the future in the present: on see things coming or starting, or they are already planned. We prefer will to say what we or believe about the future. Compare: The meat's going to burn. (I can see it now.) : ask Pete to cook the steak - he'll burn it. (I'm sure, because I know him.) 't use the present progressive to predict events which are outside our control. ig to rain soon, but kot It's mining soon. the best form. goingtd)/ will have a baby. Perhaps I'm going to I I'll see you at the weekend. Look at the sky: it's going to I it will snow. Look out - were going to / we'll hit that car! Ask John - he's probably going to I he'll probably know the answer. V u'd better put a coat on, or you re going to / you'll get cold. I: you press this key, the computer is going to / will shut down. '•Sou can see from Barbara's face that there's going to I there'll be trouble, ks no use telling Andy about your problems; he's going to I he'll tell everybody else. present We sometimes use the simple present to talk about the future; for instance when k about timetables, routines and schedules. ■etingstarts at ten o'clock. What time does the train arrive in Paris? e leaves from Heathrow. also use the simple present to give and ask for instructions. do I get an application form?* 'You go to the main office on the second floor.' cases we don't use the simple present in simple sentences to talk about the future. s coming round later, (not Emma comes ...) I'll write - I promise, zhe phone. I'll answer it. (not ... I answer.) ~e simple present with a future meaning after if, when etc, see pages 204 and 232. " ■: :se the best tense. The fum(en3s)/ will end at midnight. : -.one /(h>M phone)you soon. I start/ will start dieting after Christmas, cob comes I is coming round after 7.00. Do you I Will you post my letters? :ve I will have a French class at 9.00 :: morrow. 5 The train isn't direct - you change I will change at Manchester. 6 My final exam is / will be in May. 7 What time does I will the concert start? 8 I play / am playing hockey tomorrow. PRESENT AND FUTURE 31 more about the present progressive, going to and will spoken and written English Be going to and the present progressive are particularly common in spoken English, as ways of talking about the future. This is because conversation is often about future events that we can see coming, so present forms are natural. In written English, these forms are less often used. Witt is extremely common in writing, because written language tends to deal with less immediate future events, when we do not see the future in the present. Will is also preferred when giving information about impersonal, fixed arrangements - for example official itineraries. Compare: We're meeting Sandra at 6.00. The President will arrive at the airport at 14.00. He will meet... pronunciation of going to. In informal speech, going to is often pronounced as /dsns/. This is often shown in writing as gonna. 4 GRAMMAR IN A TEXT, Put the letters of the boxed expressions into the text. A it will be B there will be C will be introduced D will be presented E will be welcomed F will cast off G will cover H will play I you will be On a wildlife cruise with Wildlife Worldwide, \.. on a small vessel (the vessels we work with generally accommodate between 20 and 128 passengers), just enough to be able to meet new people and get to know them over the course of the trip, and to be able to recognise and greet all of the other passengers onboard. Not so many that every time you see a face2... be a new one! On a wildlife cruise the vessels have been specially adapted and refitted to accommodate guests, since many of them were actually research vessels in a former life. On a wildlife cruise,3... illustrated talks and presentations throughout the journey.These"... a whole range of topics from birds and mammals, to geography, history and astronomy, and they5... by the onboard guides and experts who 6... such an important role in making your trip a special one. To begin with you 7... aboard with a glass of champagne and a bite to eat. The crew 8... the boat, and once you are under way you 9... to the captain and his crew. Departures are generally late afternoon/early evening. Passengers are free to visit the ship's bridge any time of the day or night It is fascinating seeing how the ship's course is plotted, and to observe the monitors of depth, wind speed and wave height! {Adapted from Oceans Worldwide website.) GRAMMAR IN A TEXT. Put the letters of the boxed expressions into the text. A going to be happy B going to be there C going to see D It's going to be E there are going to be F we're catching G we're leaving r Well, tomorrow, Sandra. amazing! It's quite a small boat - about 50 passengers, so we'll soon get to know everybody. And half a dozen experts on this and that giving lectures in the evenings, and going ashore with us and answering our stupid questions when we land. Tony Soper's 4..., believe it or not, so the bird-watchers are 5... ! And there's a terrific woman called Ingrid Visser who's red-hot on killer whales. I can't remember the others, but I know there's a marine mammal expert, and an astronomer. And we're definitely h... whales -lots and lots of whales, they've promised! Can't wait! Well, must go and pack - "... a very early flight. Looking forward to seeing you in July. Prepare yourselves for a long photo evening! Love from both to both Jane 32 PRESENT AND FUTURE shall and will In modern English I/we will and I/we shall can generally be used with no difference of meaning. Will is more common, and shall is dying out. (In any case, the commonest forms in speech are the contractions I'll and well.) shall in questions In older English, shall was used to talk about obligation (rather like should). This meaning still survives in first-person questions, where shall is used to ask for instructions or suggestions, or offer services. What time shall we come round? Shall I take your coat? Compare the use of will to ask for information: What time will we get into London? legal language Legal documents, such as contracts, often use shall to express obligation. The hirer shall be responsible for maintenance of the vehicle, (from a car hire contract) ^) Put in shall or will. 1 Where............................we go on u. , 1 , The Hirer shall, during the period of the holiday this year? hiring, be responsible for: supervision of the 2 Where............................I be this time premises, the fabric and the contents; their next year? care> safet7 from damage however slight or 3 Sending out the invitations change of any sort; and the behaviour of all be Jims responsibility. persons using the premises whatever their 4 Thetenant .............be whollv Capaaf: indudi"g P™per supervision of 4 me tenant................... i car Par^ng arrangements. The Hirer shall responsible for all decoration and repairs. make good or pay for ^ (ind 5 ............................I put the kettle on? accidental damage) to the premises or to the 6 What time............................I need to be fixtures, fittings or contents and for loss of at the airport? contents. The Hirer shall not use the premises 7 what • -.I cook for ^ an>'P^poSe other than that described in Jtiie 1 lmnS Agreement and shall not allow the suPPer? premises to be used for any unlawful purpose 8 How soon ............................we near or in any unlawful way nor about the application? For other (non-future) uses of will, see pages 65 and 72. NOTES different forms possible The differences between the three main structures used to talk about the future are not always very clear-cut. Will and present forms (especially going to) are often both possible in the same situation, when present' ideas like intention or fixed arrangement are a part of the meaning but not very important. The choice of structure will depend on which part of the meaning we want to emphasise. In the following examples all of the different forms would be correct, with no important difference of meaning. • What will you do next year? What are you doing next year? What are you going to do next year? • All the family will be there. All the family are going to be there, m If your mother comes, you'll have to help with the cooking. If your mother comes, you're going to have to help with the cooking. • You won't believe this. You're not going to believe this. PRESENT AND FUTURE be + infinitive: I am to... etc official plans etc We often say that something is to happen when we talk about official plans and fixed arrangements. The Prime Minister is to visit British soldiers in Antarctica. Our firm is to merge with Universal Export. pre-conditions The structure is common in if-clauses, where the main clause expresses a pre-condition - something that must happen first if something else is to happen. We'd better hurry if we're to get there by lunchtime. You'll need to start working if you're to pass your exam. orders The structure can also be used (for example by parents) to give orders. You're to do your homework before you go to bed. Tell Jenny she's not to be back late. 6 Here are some (mostly) real spoken or written sentences. Use the be + infinitive structure to complete them with verbs from the box. Use a dictionary if necessary. assemble bloom continue deliver follow get through inspect plan report tidy up 1 Professor Loach.....................................eight lectures on classical mythology next term. 2 On his arrival at the airport, the general.....................................a guard of honour. 3 If we.....................................providing care for homeless children, we need your support today. 4 Young soldiers quickly learn that a good breakfast is vital if they.....................................another demanding day. 5 Any new diet has to be simple if you.....................................it for any length of time. 6 You have to know where you're going if you.....................................the best way of getting there! 7 The chrysanthemums must be planted right away if they.....................................for Christmas. 8 The children.....................................their room before they watch TV. 9 In case of fire, all staff.....................................in the front courtyard. 10 All visitors.....................................to the reception desk. For the past form of this structure {] wa$ to ... etc), see page 37. For passive uses (e.g. to be taken three times a day), see page 103. Q Imagine you are a parent who is going out for the evening, leaving two teenagers alone in the house. Write three instructions beginning 'You're to' and three beginning 'You're not to'. 34 PRESENT AND FUTURE future progressive We use the future progressive (will be... ing) to say that something will be in progress at a certain time in the future. This time next Tuesday I'll be lying on the beach. You won't be able to park here tomorrow, they'll be mending the road. ;j ) What will you be doing at ten o'clock tomorrow morning (or some other time, if you prefer)? @ Write three things that you will certainly not be doing at ten o'clock tomorrow morning (or some other time, if you prefer). polite enquiries A common use of the future progressive is to ask politely 'What have you already decided?' Compare: Will you write to Oliver? (request or order) Are you going to write to Oliver? (perhaps pressing for a decision) Will you be writing to Oliver? (just asking about plans) ? Make future progressive questions to ask somebody politely: ► when they are planning to go shopping. .. 4d Stt QfW& 5h£WiHMK.................. 1 when they intend to pay the rent. 2 who they plan to invite. 3 how soon they intend to come back. 4 when they plan to go home. i> where they are planning to stay. 6 what time they are planning to have breakfast. 7 what they plan to study at university. 8 whether they expect to use the car. Will you be watching the leaders' TV debate? The first ever prime ministerial debate in a UK general election campaign wiil take place on Thursday. Will you be watching? Til be watching. I want to see how professional liars work." "Yes, I shall be watching and it will be an interesting test of the party leaders." "I will be watching until the end of the first question. When none of them have answered simply, openly and honestly, along with millions of other viewers I will switch off and then go to the pub." (postings from a website discussion before a British general election) PRESENT AND FUTURE 35 more practice ( ) Correct the mistakes or write 'Correct'. ► Penguins aren't ftyfng". .A?.^.^.^..................... * Nobody's listening to me. ..9$XW$r......................... 1 'What do you write?' A report for the Managing Director.' ............... 2 I'm thinking this is the wrong address...................................... 3 Why is that man jumping up and down? ..................................... 4 Iron is melting at 1536°...................................... 5 How do your tai-chi lessons go? ..................................... 6 We're seeing a lot of Peter and Susan just now. ............................... 7 He's always criticising!..................................... 8 Its saying in today's paper that the pilots are going on strike.............. 9 Is it going to snow?' Tm doubting it' ..................................... 10 Julie's not feeling very well today ..................................... 11 Ihis cheese is tasting funny. ..................................... 12 I'm not working next Friday. ..................................... 13 We should leave now if we're to catch the train............................... 14 Will you be seeing Edward when you're in Glasgow? ....................... 15 This time tomorrow I'm lying on the beach................................... 16 Do you know what time the film starts?..................................... 17 Next July we have been together for five years................................ 18 I'll never be knowing what he thinks of me................................... 19 Sorry I'm late - the train I was going to catch was cancelled............... 20 They showed me the room where I would have stayed. I said it was OK. (ID Choose the correct form of the cartoon caption. 'I'm sorry he doesn't see ! he's not seeing anyone today.' Write four predictions for next week. (You can use will or going to.) Check them at the end of the week to see how many were right. Write two things that you are certainly going to do one day, and two things that you are certainly never going to do. 38 PRESENT AND FUTURE Ql Which of these rules are wrong? 1 We use will especially when we can see the future in the present. 2 Going to is often pronounced gonna. 3 The future perfect progressive is very common in conversation. 4 Shall is not used in modern English. 5 We dont normally use the present progressive for fixed future arrangements. Rules.................................... are wrong. Put in simple present or present progressive forms of the verbs in the box. arrive decide fall find give go out hide live light lose sing start stay tell try work write Puccini's opera La Boheme: what happens in Act 1 It is a bitterly cold winter in 19th-century Paris. Marcello, a painter, and Rodolfo, a writer, 1............................to keep warm. Their musician friend Schaunard 2............................with food, firewood, wine, cigars, and money: he3............................lessons to an eccentric Englishman and has just been paid. They 4............................ to eat, but then 5............................ to go out and spend the money at a cafe. Rodolfo 6............................ behind for a moment to finish an article that he 7............................ While he 8............................ , there is a knock at the door. It is Mimi, who 9............................ in another room in the building. Her candle has blown out, and she has no matches. Rodolfo 10............................ it for her. Then Mimi 11 ............................ her key. Both candles 12............................ Rodolfo 15............................her key but14............................it. They15............................ each other their life stories in two songs; while they16............................ they17............................ in love. Put in the verbs from the boxes. helped read started taken will have been will have tidied School Holidays By ten o'clock this morning my children 1............................ off school for 67 hours. During that time they 2............................their rooms, .......................... several books, 4............................our elderly neighbour with his garden,5............................ a box of unwanted toys to charity and 6............................their holiday diaries. Later in the week they will visit the Science Museum, go on a nature trail and have a dental check-up. They will go to bed at 8.30pm on the dot and watch only half an hour of BBC4 a day. broken up cleaned up given up have spent hidden spent unloaded will have baked Yeah, right. This is the more likely scenario: 17............................several batches of cupcakes,B............................the dishwasher 20 times,9............................ almost three hours looking for tiny lost bits of Lego, and 10............................trying to interest my eldest in reading a book. I will have 11............................several paint-related disasters, 12............................ fights, and 13............................the remote control. Like millions of other parents, I will also 14............................ an unbelievable sum of money on plastic rubbish in a museum shop. And there are several more weeks of this to look forward to. School holidays! {Sarah Vine, The Times, adapted) PRESENT AND FUTURE 39