0% found this document useful (0 votes)
126 views11 pagesFuture
Uploaded by
Máté NémethCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
126 views11 pagesFuture
Uploaded by
Máté NémethCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
/ 11
2 The future
(ea
Will, be going to + infinitive and shall
START POINT
will
| think VI fly directly to Los Angeles (=a decision made without planning)
'm sure you'll have a fantastic time. (=a prediction based on opinion or experience)
I'll be 2 on 2nd january, (= a fact about the future)
11 meet you at the aport. (= willingness)
Be going to + infinitive
First I'm going to stay with Daniel and Susanna (=a decsion already made)
The clouds building up. It's going to rain this afternoon. (= a prediction based on outside evidence)
We can sometimes use will instead of be going to to makea prediction based on evidence, but when we do, we
usually include an adverb:
The cloud's building up. It'll definitely rain / it’s definitely going to rain this afternoon.
We can use will or be going to in the main clause of an if-entence with litte difference in meaning when we say
that something is conditional on something else:
{f don't go now, I'l be / I'm going to be late for my next lecture.
We use will not be going to, when the main clause refers to offers, requests, promises and ability:
If my plans change, I'll let you know, of course, (= promise)
{j you bring your tent, we'll camp on the coast for afew days. (= abiliy,'we will be able to camp’)
In formal contexts, we can use shall instead of will wth I or we:
‘© inquestions that ask about intentions:
Shall I/we see you before you leave? (= Will we have the opportunity to see you?)
‘© instatements about the future, although willis more usual:
When | finish my course | shall/will have some time to travel around America.
Present continuous and present simple for the future
Present continuous
1'm spending few days sightseeing. (= event intended or arranged)
Present simple
Lectures start on 27th July. (= event as partof an official schedule)
Compare the use of the present continuous for the future and be going to:
im flying on 15th July at ten in the evening. (= already arranged)
‘Im going to fly up there fits not too expensive (= the speaker intends to fly but has not made the arrangements yet)
We tend to avoid be going to goand use the present continuous (be going to) instead:
Then I'm going to San Francisco. rather than Then 'm going to go to San Francisco.
We can't use the present continuous for fucure events which are not controlled by people
It’s going to rain this ajternoon, (not Its-raining this-afternoort)
18 ‘The future 2
‘We can use either the present simple or will to talk about formal arrangements made by, for example,
uriversity or company:
The semester begins on 7th December. or The semester will begin on 7th December.
‘The present continuousis used in informal arrangements:
You're not staying with them the whole time, then? (= informal arrangement) (not You-den'-stay with-them-the-
whote-ime.then!)
We use the present simple, or sometimes other present tenses, to refer to the future in time clauses with a
‘conjunction (eg. after, as soon as, before, by the time, wher, while, until); in conditional clauses with ifn case,
provided and unless; and in clauses beginning with suppose, supposing and what if
Assoon as! book my tickets Il let you know. (not Asseon-as+iilt book...)
[tl be good to know | can contact them in case | have any problems (not... ireasetwilhave...)
What if | don’t like it (not Whats Hwon'-tkevt?)
Future continuous, future perfect and future perfect cont
We use the future continuous (will + be + present participle) to talk about something predicted to happen at a
particular time or over a particular period in the future:
(Il be studying really hard during the semesters.
‘We use the future perfect (will + have + past participle) to make a prediction about an action we expect to be
completed by a particular time in the future:
By the time you come I'm sure I'l have got to know the city really well,
We use the future perfect continuous (will + have been + present participle) to emphasise the duration ofan
activity in progress at a particular point in the future:
When | come to see you, you'll have been living in Caifornia for nearly six months.
We can also use the future continuous, future perfect and future perfect continuous to say what we believe or
imagine to be true:
Dad won't be using his car, so I'm sure its okay to borrow it. (= an activity happeningnow or at a particular point
in the future)
They'll have forgotten what | look like, (=an event that took place before now or before a particular point in
the future)
‘My plane's been delayed. Daniel and Susanna will have been waiting for me at the airport for hours. (=an activity
continuing to now)
EE Be to + infin
Beto + infinitive is commonly used:
© innewsreports:
Extra lifeguards are to be posted at the beach after a shark was seen close to the shore.
‘© totalk about formal plans, and rules or instructions:
Students are to hand in project reports at the endl of semester two, (active)
Project reports are to be handed in at the end of semester two. (passive)
‘We only use am/is/are to + infinitive to talk about future events that people can control:
The weather will still be warm even in winter (not Fhe-weather-s-stil-te-be-warm)
We often use be to + infinitive inf-clauses when we mean ‘in order to’
If she is to get a good grade in her project report, she needs to work on her statistics, (= in order to get a good
Bade, she needs to work on her statistics)
19 2 tietiou
(DG) Future in the past
‘A number of forms can be used to talk about a past activity or event that was still in the future from the point
of view of the speaker:
| was going to see an aunt in Seattle a couple of years ago, but | cancelled the trip because she got il, (= a plan that
didnt happen)
knew | would be feeling awful by the end ofthe flight. (=a prediction made in the past)
I Grammar exercises
‘Complete the sentences using the verbs in the box. Choose the most appropriate form,
1 Az Do you want to come out for a meal tonight?
8: 1_'m starting out early tomorrow moming - my flight’sat six ~ so I don’t think Ill come, thanks.
a1 some friends over for dinner on Saturday. Do you want to join us?
3. Theyreckon the Greenland ice sheet within a few years.
4 Az Yoshi doesn't want to come on holiday with us, then.
8: He says that now, but I'm sure Hannah him to change his mind.
5. By the middle of the week, temperatures t0 30°C.
5 tim not sure when I'll be home tonight. Expect me when you me.
7 A: The coach leaves Kiev at exactly 5.00 from the bus station.
8: Whatifl iv
‘A: You'llhave to take the train
8 As Its Lucia’s first week away at university. | wonder how she's getting on?
B: I'm sure she herself
‘Choose the correct future form.
You'l freeze if youll go / go out dressed lke that. Put on a warm coat!
When | retire next year, im doing / going to do a lot of travelling around South America
Look at that stupid cyclist! He's going to cause / causes an accident.
‘A: Whatdo you want done with this box?
B: fyoujustleave it there! take / ‘m taking it upstairs when | go.
5 A: Whatare you doing / do you do this evening?
B: Oh, don't know. Maybe I'l Skype /'m Skyping Lydia.
5 Please note that next weeks concert is commencing will commence at 7.00. not 7.30 as advertised in
the programme.
1
2
3
4
20 The future 2
7 A: Adele will do / is doing a concert in Milan next month,
B: Will / Shall | book some tickets?
‘8 When Stefan is / will be 50, Sofiais to be / will be 18.
‘Complete the sentences using a future form of the verbs given. Use the same future form for all three
sentences in each group. Use:
:
2 Allchange, please - this train terminates here,
1b What time does cur plane get (our plane) to Athens?
© The catruns away from me as soon as! 90. nearit.
»
A: What are you going to town for?
B: |_____ some new shoes.
b As Jane’ not looking very well.
B: No,apparently, she ____a major operation.
© A: l'vemadea lst of the things you for the field trip to leeland.
Bs Thanks, chat’ really helpful.
o
OnApril tstrnext year! __at the university for 25 years.
As It'ssucha pity that Ela isaway and can't watch the match with us. You know how much she loves
tennis.
B: 'msureshe iton TV in her hotel room.
©The next statement from the trade union leaders is expected at ten oclock tonight. By that time they
—________ with the employers for 36 hours.
‘a
a Justin's not feeling well, sohe ___tonight after ll.
b Who______(you) in the world cup final, France or Brazil?
A: What do you think Lola__at the moment?
B: Oh, she'l still be in bed.
i
§
|
5
i
300 new jobs at its assembly plant just outside Dublin.
> Allmotile phones ___ outside the examination room.
‘an enquiry next week into allegations of corruption in the civil
© The government _ 2 ‘The future
‘ns
a The bank predicts that by the end of next year, over 80% ofits customers___toonline
banking.
b Natasha her exam results by now. | wonder how she got on,
¢_Myresearch is going rather slowly at the moment, but I'm certain by the end of the year all of my data
a. She a speech at the conference next week.
bt
c We
out there -it's pouring with rain and | haven't got an umbrella.
risotto for dinner is that okay with you?
22 Be to + infinitive is commonly used in news reports to talk about events that are likely to happen in
the near future
Police officers are to visit every home in the area.
The main Rome-to-Naples railway line is to be reopened today. (passive form)
It is also used to talk about formal or official arrangements, formal instructions, and to give orders:
You are not to leave the school without my permission
‘The European Parliament is to introduce anew law on safety at work.
Children are not to be left unsupervised in the museum. (passive form)
Passive forms are often used to make orders and instructions more impersonal.
Note that we only use be to + infinitive to talk about future events that can be controlled by people.
Compare:
In the next few years, thousands of speed cameras are to appear on major roads. (or ... will
appear ...) and
Scientists say they can't predict when or where the disease will appear again. (not .. the
disease is to appear again; the appearance of the disease can't be controlled)
The President is to return to Brazil later today. (or ... will return ...) and
The comet will return to our solar system in around 500 years. (not The cometis to return ...;
the movement of the comet can't be controlled)
However, when be to + infinitive refers to the future from the past (see Unit 148), we often use it to
describe what happened to someone, whether they were able to influence events or not:
Matthew Flinders sailed past Tasmania in 1770, but it was to be a further 30 years before he
landed there
Clare Atkins was to write two more books about her experiences in Africa before her death in
1997,
We often use be to + infinitive in if-clauses to say that something must happen first (in the main
clause) before something else can happen (in the if-clause}:
if the human race is to survive, we must look at environmental problems now.
The law needs to be revised if justice is to be done. (passive form)
Compare the use of be to + infinitive and the present simple for the future in if-clauses:
If Lopez is to win gold at the next Olympics, he needs to work on his fitness. and
If Lopez wins gold at the next Olympics, he has said that he will retire from athletics.
Note how the order of cause and effects in if-sentences is reversed with these two tenses:
If Lopez is to win gold ... (= effect), he needs to work ... (= cause) and
If Lopez wins gold ... (= cause), he has said that he will retire ... (= effect)
We use be about to + infinitive mainly in conversation to say that something will (not) happen in the
very near future:
We're about to eat. Do you want to join us?
Appearing on TV might make her famous, but it’s not about to make her rich
4: Why don’t you switch it off and turn it back on again?
®: Yes, | was about to try that when you came in
(not Yes, | was to try ...) (referring to the future
from the past) Exercises
EBD complete these news extracts using the verbs in brackets. Use be to + infinitive if possible and
will + infinitive if not. Use active or passive forms as necessary. @)
1 Jon Stobbard has written his first new play for 15 years. Its first performance
(stage) at the New Victoria Theatre
2 The new safety system (stop) trains automatically if they pass a
danger signal,
3 Stafford Boys’ School (merge) with the nearby Bicton Girls’ School to
form a new co-educational establishment.
4 There are fears that sea levels
years.
5 The old design and technology programme (replace) with anew
computer science course.
(Vise) catastrophically in the next 50
Now use the verbs in the box to do the same in 6 to 10.
become create increase receive retire succeed
6 Managing Director Lars Lindberg, 59, this summer a year early, He
by Christina Fontana, who joined the company last year.
7 As the temperatures fall with the onset of winter, the refugee crisis
more severe,
8 Production line staff at the Heathcote garden furniture factory in Northam
@ pay rise following a big new order from Italy.
9 Seventy new posts at the factory following a major investment by
‘the parent company in the United States.
10 The recent rapid rise in house prices in the south-east the demand
for higher salaries among lower-paid workers.
(BB Undertine the correct answers. in some cases both alternatives are possible. as
1 You need to work much harder if you have / are to have any chance of passing the exam.
2 My sister stostart /isabout to start a PhD in Physics.
3. Mrs Patel is likely to become the Foreign Minister if the party wins / is to win power at the next
election.
4 Ifyou enjoy / are to enjoy romantic comedies, then this is a film you must see.
5 A:Can you type this letter for me?
8: Sorry, I'm ust togo / ‘m just about to go home. It'll have to wait until tomorrow.
6 If Beckman recovers / is to recover from a foot injury, it seems certain that he will play in
Saturday's match against Spain.
Ifthe university keeps / is to keep its international reputation, it must first invest in better
facilities for students.
8 Jonas Fischer has denied that he is to resign / is about to resign as marketing manager.
It started snowing an hour ago, and from the look of those clouds things are to get / are about to
get a lot worse.
10 If the railway system is improved / is to be improved, the government should invest substantial
amounts of money now.
nN Some phrases are commonly used to refer to actions or events in the future with a meaning similar to
be about to + infinitive (see Unit 12C). We can use be on the verge of ... / brink of ... / point of
(4-ing or noun) to say that something will happen soon:
People are on the verge of starvation as the drought continues.
Scientists are on the brink of making major advances in the fight against AIDS.
Exhausted, mentally and physically, she was on the point of collapse.
Be onthe brink of usually refers to something important, exciting, or very bad.
We use be due to (+ infinitive) to say that something is expected to happen ata particulartime,
be sure / bound to (+ infinitive) to say that something is kely or certain to happen, and be set to
(+infinitive) to say that something is ready to happen
The company’s chief executive is due to retire next year, but following today’s announcement
of further losses che is eure to be asked to leave sooner
‘Will there be somewhere to get a coffee at the station?’ ‘Oh, yes, there’s bound to be.
Her new film is set to be a great success.
Note that we use due to + noun to give the reason for something, not to talk about the future
(eg. Due to fog, all flights from the airport have been cancelled)
We use some verbs with a to-i itive to talk about intentions:
We guarantee fo refund your money if you are dissatisfied
with the computer.
The present simple + to-infinitive or present continuous + to-infinitive
can be used with the verbs marked * to talk about intentions:
| aim to get to Bangkok by the end of June. (or I'm aiming to get
Iwas aiming to get ...is also possible, but more tentative)
Also: aim*, agree,
expect’, hope
intend*, mean,
plan*, promise,
propose*, resolve,
undertake, want™
Some people, particularly in speech and in journalism, use be looking + to-infinitive to mean
planning a course of action
‘We're looking to create 3,000 jobs in the city over the next year.
When the phrases and verbs in A and B are used with past tense forms, they are usually concerned
with future events seen from the past (see also Unit 14}
It was his 64th birthday in 2006 and he was due to retire the following year.
Nathan had resolved to become fluent in Spanish before he left university.
The new management had been looking to create 20 new jobs
Some people use shall (and shan't) instead of will (and won't) in statements about the future with |
and we. However, it is more common to use will (particularly its contracted form ‘tl) and won't:
He was a good friend and we shall miss him greatly. (more commonly ... we'll miss...)
\'m just going to buy a newspaper, | shan’t be long. (more commonly | won't ...)
In current English we don’t usually use shall / shan't with other subjects to talk about the future,
although this is found in formal rules and in older literary styles:
The match referee shall be the sole judge of fair play.
All people of the world shall live together as brothers, Exercises |
Qo Expand the notes to complete the news extracts, using the phrases in @.
verge-become sure-face _brink-go _set—launch
set-make sure-provide -bound—raise due~return
point-sign —_point—move _verge-quit due undergo
V2 The decision of Cornico to relocate its international headquarters to Switzerland is
bound, to raise. questions about the govemmment's new profits tax. It seems that other
major financial firms are also on the. point of moving — thelr headquarters out of London.
3/4 NASA's latest Mars probe is to Earth later today. A spokesperson for NASA
‘said that the probe would be bringing back rock samples that are exciting
new information about the planet
al
5/6 The Countryside Conservation Society is ‘a new milion-Eure scheme
for the protection of endangered plant species. It is estimated that over 200 species are
extinct in the country.
7/8 Sources at the United Nations have said that the governments of North and South Alicia are
lan agreement to end their long-ruming border dispute. However, any
agreement is resistance from rebel forces in South Alicia, who have said
they wil fight on.
S/10 Tennis star Sancho Gomez is a second operation on his injured shoulder,
He was tennis earlier this year after a fist operation was unsuccesstul.
TW/12 eV agricuture ministers are an important announcement on increasing
support to farmers when they meet in Brussels on Monday. ‘Many farmers are
‘out of business; said the Italian representative, ‘and the matter must be decided very scon’ i
Complete the sentences with the verb pairs from the box. Use either the present simple or
present continuous for the first verb. If both tenses are possible, write them both.
aim-to study expect-tofinish lock—toreplace- _intend-tomove
propose-todeal resolve—togiveup _guarantee-to find
1 My computer is now five years old, and |_..'m Looking to. replace... it with a faster one.
2 Inthe first half of the course we'll study microbiology, and in the second half |
with genetic engineering.
3. We haven't completed the work yet, but we
it later this week.
4 | haven't done much work at college so far, but |
harder from now on.
5 Every New Year he eating biscuits, but by February
he has started again.
6 We can't provide the spare parts ourselves, but we
a supplier who can.
7 At the moment | commute for over three hours a day, but |
closer to my work in the next few months.
(EB Lncertine the possible options
1. Ihave passed your letter on to the manager who shail / will reply shortly.
2 Sorry, but | shan’t / won'tbe able to give youa lift after al.
3. | think your parents shall / will be very happy with your decision.
4 Only people over the age of 18 shall / will be eligible to vote in the referendum.
5 You shan't / won't want to eat your dinner tonight after al that chocolate.
27 There are a number of ways of talking about an activity or
‘event that was in the future at a particular point in the past. = -
In order to express this idea, we can use the past tenses of the. §$=————H-___+__
verb forms we would normally use to talk about the future. past now
These forms are often used in reporting (see Units 32-36).
