Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
'
The future t1)
English does not have a 'future tense', but uses a variety of forms to talk about the
future. The choice of form often depends on whether we are making a prediction,
expressing an intention or talking about an arrangement. This unit looks at the use of
will, be going to and present tenses to talk about the future. (For other ways of talking
about the future lir"" Unit 5')
PREDICTION
4.14 We use willlwon't (the future simpleJ to talk about predictions which are based on
willlwon't guesswork, analysis or judgement. We use willlwon't with all persons and with personal
+ infinitive and impersonal subjects:
. Personal: We'll still be here in twentg gears.
. lmpersonal: Will interest rates rise in the next few weeks?
We often use will to predict an event which we think will happen because similar events
have happened in the past:
He'll be in prison for a long fime. (Similar crimes have attracted long sentences.)
The laptop batterg will give gou about two hours'continuous ase. (This is what
previous batteries have done.)
We can use shalllshan'f with I and we, although this is becoming dated now:
I shall never get the hang of these new WAP phones.
0 We Oo not use shattlshan't with he, she, it, gou, theg for predictions:
X He shall like the ides; l:m sure.
/ He will like the idea, I'm sure.
4.18 We also use be going to + infinitive to make a prediction, especially if there is evidence
be going to in the present to justify the prediction:
+ infinitive The Roses are alreadg a popular band
and theg are going to be massive!
X Looh at-thsse blaek-eloads,-k wi# rain.
/ Look at those black clouds. It's going
to rain.
0 tt is possible to use wilt with present
evidence, but we usually use an adverb:
Look at the skg. lt will probablgl
definitelg rain later.
With be going to there is often a strong link
with the present, and the prediction is often about the near future:
Look out! You're going to spill the wine!
4.1C We use willlwon't be +verb -ing (the future continuous) for a temporary action in
will/won't be progress at a particular point in the future:
+ verb -ing This time next Tuesdag afternoon t'il be tging on the beach!
past present futu re
T 1
NOW (this Tuesday afternoon) (next Tuesday afternoon)
<- I'll be lging on the beach -+
compare this with the present continuous for a temporary action in the present:
It's Tuesdag ofternoon and I'm lging on the beach.
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O Note that we do not usually use the passive with this form:
X The proposa{-will be-beW, preseated-atihe'next-neeting,
r'The chairman will be presenting the proposal at the next meeting.
O We do not use the verb be in the continuous:
XShelteg'witl"be being-ln-Moroeeo this-tine'tonorro+qt
/Shelleg will be in Morocco this time tomorrow.
We can also use willlwon't be +verb -ing (andwilllwon't + infinitive) to make a
'prediction'about something we believe to be the case now (F 18.1C):
You can't interrupt her now. She'll be getting reodg to go on stage, won't she?
'What's that noise?''lt'll be Ron next door. He's learning to plag the trumpet.'
4.1D We use willlwon't have + past participle (the future perfect) to make predictions about
willlwon't hqve actions which we expect to be completed by a particular time in the future:
+ past He'll have had the operotion bg Mag and should be o lot fitter then.
oarticlole:
past present futu re
wtlllwon t have
+ been + verb 'tt ,|
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The Covernment is going to increase VAT in the budget'
QWe usually avoid be going fo with the verbs go and come:
ll'm going to go home now. Are gou going to come?l
y' I'm going home now. Are gou coming?
we stress be or not to express determination about something we have already
decided on:
Iamgoingtoleave.l,mnotgoingtoStaahereforever,sodon'ttratomaBeme!
ARRANGEMENTS
in the future which has
4.34 We use the present continuous ('*'1'2) to describe an event
Present already been arranged by the time of speaking:
got the tickets.J
continuous We,re seeing a musical at the theatre next weeB. (= We,ve
Compare this with the use of be going to:
(not arranged yet;
We,re going to see a musical at the theatre Sometime next week'
the focus is on our intention)
people and
we usually use the present continuous for future events which involve other
tickets' However' we
where we have made some form of commitment, e.g. by buying
people. ln this case,
can also use this tense for arrangements that don't involve other
weseeitasan'arrangement'thespeakermakeswithhim/herself:
t'm staging in tonight. I've got toads of paperwork to do'
The focus here is on the'arrangement', i.e. there is no suggestion
that the speaker
wants to stay in, which is the case when we use be going to compare:
I'm going to staA in tonight. (focus on intention)
We also use the present continuous for impersonal plans:
ComputerCitghasannouncedth\titisopeningfournewshopsnextmonth.
(DWe cannot use this tense with events which are beyond human control, e'g. the
weather, because these events are predictions, not intentions or arrangements
(':'- 4.1):
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lWE OTHER FUTURE MEANINGS
4.4A We can use the present simple to talk about timetabled events:
Timetables The tour departs on October l lth for 15 dags and costs f495.
The car comes at eleven to collect the guest speakers and theg orrive at the hall at
eleven thirtg.
4.48 We use wiltlwon't be +verb -ing for future events we see as certain because they are
Routine part of a routine, especially when the event continues for a period of time, e.g. a
events in the festival, a meeting:
future Winston witt be performing with his steel band everg night of the music festival.
We'tt be having our weeklg meeting tomorrow so l'll present Aour proposal then.
The focus in the last example is on the routine nature of the weekly meeting. Compare
this with the use of other future forms (all correct English). The present continuous
focuses on the arrangement rather than the routine:
We're having our weehlg meeting tomorrow instead of Fridog this weeh.
The present simple presents the meeting as part of a timetable:
We have our weeklg meeting tomorrow so I'll present Aour proposal then.
We also often use wittlwon't be + verb -ing to say that an event is inevitable:
l'll be seeing Mr Kennedg ot the court tomorrow - he's alwags there on Thursdags -
so we can discuss Aour case brieflg then.
We use witllwon't to express statements of fact about the future:
Next week I'll be 21.
The sun will rise at 5.30 tomorrow morning.
4.4C We can make predictions, intentions or decisions stronger or weaker by using certain
Oualifying adverbs, for example definitetg, certainlg, probablg, possiblg (p 24.3C):
future forms She'll definitelg make a fool of herself.
The lecture probablg won't start on time - theg rarelg do here.
t'm definitelg going to look for another iob now!
t certaintg won't give gou a tift to the station - it's onlg down the road!
We can show our attitude to the future event by using an introductory verb, for
example think, expect, hope, doubt, suppose, promise, guarontee:
I expect she'll call us from the oirport.
The Association guarantees that 500 tickets will be available on the dag.
We usually show negative meaning (e.g. I won't pass the exam) at the beginning of the
sentence with the introductory verb:
ll think I won't pa,ss the exam.l
/ I don't think l'll Pass the exam.
4.4D ln time clauses (starting with when, after, as soon as, once, until), we do not use
Time clauses willlwon't, but we use a present form:
X Won:t the pG* lookgood onee-the new'trees'will-reaeh mataritg?
/ Won't the park looh good once the new trees reachlhave reached maturitg?
Effective penal reform wilt not be achieved until the government tskes it seriouslg.
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Practice fhe keu to these exercrses is on page 355
w
g rreK
lLrl-tqrl!qwmi$t\uuuturrt:r.:.,,rr,r,,1
Complete the dialogues according to the cartoons and using the verbs in brackets. Use willlwon't,
witllwon't be + verb -ing, willlwon't have + past participle or be going to.
0 'Can you come to a meeting at three this 4 'ls that the phone again?'
afternoon?' 'lt's all right Mum. I .......... (answer) it!'
'Sorry. t ... up.rtt.lwe.f-ttia.lrd ... (ri n ish ) a I I
'what is it?'
'He's got a gun. He says he .. (shoot)
I 'What can you tell me about my future? someone!'
'You ........ (meet) a handsome young man!'
I ig
I In
I [[ 6 'Where's Mum with the shopping? I'm
2 'What's happening up there?' starving!'
'He .......... (jump) off the building!' 'She'll be back by eight. Wait and have
dinner with us.'
'Eightl No way! I ......... (die) of starvation
by thenl'
76
Ftd
ln each of the sentences below, one or two of the options (A-C) are appropriate. Circle the letter
for the option(s) you choose.
1 'Your son has been with his girlfriend for a long time. Any sign of wedding bells?'
'Well, I'm not sure, but I think he ... her to marry him on their holiday next week.'
A asks B will ask C is going to ask
2 'Can I have your report this afternoon?' 'This afternoon? Oh, I don't think I ... by then.'
A 'll have finished B 'm finishing C 'll be finishing
3 Look at the waiter. He's carrying too much. He ... all those plates.
A 's dropping B 's going to drop C 'll be dropping
4 'Do you want to go to the cinema tonight?' 'No, I'm too tired. I ... an early night.'
A 'm having B will have had C 'm going to have
5 Nobody supports my plan to climb Everest. But, believe me, I ... it!
A 'm going to do B will do C 'll have done
6 'l'm reallyworried about Susan. What do you think has happened?'
'Don't worry. She's probably just caught in traffic. l'm sure she ... here soon.'
A will be B is being C will be being
7 Here's a letter from our holiday representative. They... a reception in the bar tonight at eight.
A are holding B will have held C are going to hold
B lt... all day on Sunday, so the party will be in the house, not in the garden.
A will be raining B is going to rain C rains
*
For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the
original sentence, but using the word given. This word must not be altered in any way. The
sentence must include a future form.
0 The manufacturers are certain of a hlgh level of customer satisfaction with this product.
guarantee ...r.h.p.wn4artw:er.rgt!,Ma,Kte.e.th4t otu.tour.rs.wil/,.be ratt f,e'd.wkb.th.r's.ptod'u*..
I Let's stop playing soon - our oppon ents have so many more points than we do.
going
2 Our plane's departure time is at 6.50 in the morning
leaves
5 My great-grandmother celebrates her hundredth birthday next year.
old
4 lt's unlikely that humans will ever be able to live on the moon'
think
5 lt's my parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary next Saturday
married
6 Come along next Monday afternoon - the band always records on Monday afternoons,
will
7 We are one h undred per cent certain of the success of our proposal.
certainly
8 The government expects another six thousand people to be in work by the end of the summer.
found
9 Do you have any idea of your arrival time on FridaY?
arriving
l0 Our daughter has got a role in the school production of Miss Saigon next month
appearing
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&
Complete the dialogue with verbs from the box. Use suitable forms with future meaning.
arrive be (x3) -ffi finish {x2) have have to meet (x2) pick up work
PAM Can we fix a time for the next meeting? How about the 12th? That's after the sales conference.
ALEX I thought something was happening on that day.
PAM Oh yes, you're right. The people from Head Office (0) ... .4{2pp.4(//.1!....... .
JoHN What time (1 -their plone) at the airport? Can we have the meeting in the morning?
PAM No, it's all arranged. I (2) ..........them at half past ten, so I (5) .......... available at all that day.
ALEX Well, let's have the meeting earlier in June, then. The sales conference (4) on the third,
doesn't it?
pAM Yes, but we need John's annual figures for the meeting. How are they going, John?
JoHN l'm afraid I haven't started them yet, but I (5) ..........on them next week, gathering information.
PAM (6 - theA) ready early in June?
roHN Well, not really. I (7) . ........ them by l0 June, but I don't think they (8) ready before then
pAM So, we're looking at the week starting the l7th. How about two o'clock on that day?
ALEX Difficult. I (9) .......... lunch with the sales manager of Bowman's. Could we make it three?
PAM John?
JoHN Yes, but I {101 .......... the children after school that week, as usual when the nanny's away, so I
Match the sentences (1-9) with the replies (A-J), then complete the replies with the verbs in
brackets.
0 There's someone at the door. @
1 Mum, I want to get away from John for a while. Can I come and stay with you and Dad? I
2 Anything interesting on the news? n
3 Can I come round and see you this evening? n
4 Have you got any plans for a new TV series? T
5 ls your steak tough again? T
6 Oh no! lt's nearly half past and my train's at quarter to! u
7 Have the management made plans to review salaries? n
o ls the circus timetable sorted out for Saturday? n
9 Have you thought about your day off next week? tr
A Yes, they've started the Anglo-lrish tunnel and it.......... (be) ready two months early.
B Yes, the clowns (start) at eight and then it's the lion tamer at half past.
c It is. This time I .......... (complain) to the butcher.
D Don't get up.l ......'&.+tt1WV....... (answer) it.
E No, sorry. I .......... (watch) the football highlights tonight.
F They.......... (look at) salaries as usual in the end-of-year review.
c Come on then. I (give) you a lift to the station.
H Oh yes, I .......... (waterski) next Friday afternoon while you're all working.
I Yes. We (film) a new series next year. We've already found the locations and booked the
a cto rs.
J Of course, dear. How long do you think you .......... (stay)?
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6
Read the article and decide which word or phrase below best fits each space. Circle the letter of
the option you choose. The exercise begins with an example (0).
Mark Rawlings and his team are still in the Andes filming
close to the big
Penny, a puma. They have managed to get quite
cat and gain her trust over the last summer' In
this instalment of
Mark's video diary, he describes how Penny is currently
his team are
spending a lot of time with a mate, so Mark and
case' they
sure that she (0) ... cubs in the spring' If that is the
to
(1) ... much of her over the winter' In fact' they are unlikely
seemuchofheruntilthewinter(2)"'overanyway'aspumas'
the weather
like most of the large cats, tend to hide away when
by early March
is bad. If Penny is pregnant, she (3) "' the cubs
Although Mark
and they (4) ... the den about three months later'
doubts whether she (5) ... out to hunt much
in the next few
he (6) ... until she (7) ' Once the team
(8) "' filming
months, "'
the grizzly
Penny, they (9) ... to North America to track down
bear, but Mark (10) ... such a pleasant assignmentl
79
The future (2)
We commonly use wil/, be going fo and present tense forms to talk about the future
(* Unit 4). But we can use a number of other patterns, often with an infinitive, as well
as verbs and adjectives that contain future meaning; these are described in this unit,
along with ways of talking about the future when seen from a viewpoint in the past.
5.1 B We can use be due to to talk about an event which forms part of a timetable
be due to (*'. 4.4A present simple). We usually use a time phrase with be due to:
+ infinitive Carriagewag repairs on this stretch of the motorwaA are due to start on 26th Mag.
When we use be due to to talk about a future event, it is possible that the timetable
may change, i.e. the event is not totally fixed, as is the case wilh be to:
New measures to contain asglum seekers are due to come into force on l st August
but a case currentlg before the Europeon court maA delag this until the autumn.
5.1C We use be about fo to talk about an event that we intend or expect to happen in the
Expressing the near future. The event may or may not be planned, but we often use about to when
near future evidence in the present indicates that it will happen (be going to tt'.4.18)l
Ladies and gentlemen. Please tal<e gour seats. The performance is about to start.
Hurrg up, the driver sags he con't wait ang longer. He's about to leave without us.
We can stress that the future event is very imminent by addingiusf:
Come on! The chech-in desk is just about to close.
Two other expressions used for talking about the near future are on the point of and on
the verge of. These both mean that something is about to happen. They can be followed
by either an -ing form or a noun:
Don't provoke Aour little brother. You can see he's on the point of losing his temper.
Because of the erosion of their habitots, some species are on the verge of extinction.
80
Some adjectives contain the idea of in the near future', e.g. imminent,forthcoming,
impending. We tend to use these adjectives in more formal English:
A decision from the judges is imminent. We will return to the law court as soon as we
have ang further news.
(OWe use impending only in attributive position, i.e. before the noun:
X The-sensat'ion sf doem-wos impending,
y' No one could shake off the sensation of impending doom.
(OWe Oo not usually use time adverbials (e.g in an hour) with the expressions in 5.1C:
X ome -in, We. re on-the-pointof starting-dinner in- tw*minutes,
5.1D We use be likelg fo + infinitive to say that something in the future is probable:
Expressing The pagment is likelg to take ten daAS. Please contact us if it does not arrive within
probability that time.
and certainty Be unlikelg fo + infinitive means that it is improbable that something will happen:
Theg're unlikelg to arrive before six. The traffic is alwogs awful on Fridags.
We can use be sure (boundlcertain) fo + infinitive to say that something is definitely
going to happen:
The new timetable is sure to annog some of the teachers when theg see it.
Your application is bound to fail if gou don't get the divisional director's approval.
ln the negative we put not aft.er the adjective:
Don't worrg about Dad - he's sure not to find out about the loan.
This can sound quite formal, so in casual speech we sometimes rephrase it:
Don't worrg about Dad - l'm sure he won't find out about the loan.
lO We can use be sure to and be certain fo as imperatives; we don't use be bound to in
this way:
X Be bound to give me a call when you crrive at'the hotel,
y' Be surelcertain to give me a call when gou arrive at the hotel.
81
FUTURE IN THE PAST
5.54 Sometimes we need to describe the future from a viewpoint in the past. We often use
w0slwere waslwere going to to do this:
going to I was going to get up earlA this morning but the alarm didn't go off !
+ infinitive 6 a.m. 9 a.m.
I 1.30 p.m
yesterday today today
1
,|
t
(l) (2) (3)
5.5B While raroslr,vere going fo is a very common way of expressing the future in the past, it
Other ways is possible to transfer any form with future meaning to the past:
of expressing presenVfuture
the future in form past form examPle
the past
present past We thought theA were arriving before dinner, but
continuous contin uous theg didn't arrive until midnight.
willlsholl would The heating wasn't working and we hoped that the
repairman wouldn't take long.
will be + would be Little did we know that we would still be waiting in
-ing form + -ingform three hours'time.
will hqve would have The Cobinet thought the crisis would have finished
+ past participle + past participle before the election.
is/are about woslwere As he raised his arm she realised that he was about
toldue to obout tol to strike her again.
due to
is/are to waslwere to We were to qrrive at the airport qt nine, where we
were to have been met bg the tour guide.
When we transfer present/future forms to the past, they keep the same meaning as they
have in the present, that is we use the present continuous to talk about arrangements,
so the past continuous also expresses arrangements:
We were meeting them at the concert hall, but we didn't know which entrance theA
were waiting af. (unfulfilled arrangementJ
O With waslwere (due) to + present infinitive, we don't know if the event happened or not:
The Professor was to take up his chair in October.
The exam results were (due) to arrive at the school todag. We can ring tomorrow to
find out whether theg have arrived.
However, waslwere (due) to + perfect infinitive tells us that the event did not occur:
The exam results were (due) to have arrived at the school todag but apparentlg the
exam board hos not posted them get.
r*
fi
Complete these two short texts using the most appropriate expressions with future meaning.
Here in Augusta the final day of the US Golf Masters (1) .. ... begin, and we could be
(2) .......... a historic win. Tiger Woods, who (3) .......... start his bid for a place in the
history books in forty minutes, could complete the grand slam - winning all four golf
masters tournaments in one year. Woods starts today in the lead and he is (4) ...."'...
give up that lead easily. This is going to be an exciting day, folks, so be (5) .........' book
your place in front of the TV and settle down for a thrilling day's viewing!
Complete this conversation with phrases from the box. Use each phrase only once.
anticipate are on the point of expect guarantee to hopes to
is about to is likely to is sure to plans to should
Complete the lines of each dialogue, usingwas/were going to. woslwere about to or waslwere to
and an appropriate ending.
0 'Look, the shoe shop has closed down.'
'Oh, that's a pity. There was a pair of shoes in the rrlrco,., :-a: I lked I q4{tqlnt!tg.rLr/tl!.!4!4 ..'
'Hi, Karen. lt's Craham here.'
'Craham, ldon't believe itl You must be a mind readerl L.,as
'Where's Dad?'
'He's gone back to work. They had an emergency ar tt^e'a:tc1
'Oh no! l've got some really tough maths homewor.k a-t -e ..,as
3 'Ms Sandford. This is the police. We're trying to trace F'a-^ S n'tmonds. lgather he works for you.'
'Well, today was his first day. He was 3: ^ ''re this morning, but he didn't turn up.'
4 'Thanks for coming round. I'm sorry, but there's a sD ce- - q! bath.'
'A spider! ls that all? ldon't believe it. And l'm star-i -: ,\-en you called we were
have dinner.'
5 'Where's Noel? I thought you'd invited him?'
'We did invite him and he was ............... .
, but he has had to work late '
a4
...
,) ..1,,.': .Jr,r,rii:rri:
ln this letter some of the lines have a word that must be corrected (example 0), some have a
word that must be replaced (example 00), and some are correct (example 000)' lf a line is
correct, put a tick Vl. lf a word must be replaced or corrected, underline that word, and write
the new, correct word.
Broadbank llotel
Sunnyside Promenade
Barton-on-Sea
Hampshire
Dear Guest
o The Management of Broadbank Hotel wish to inform you that the hotel is too ..........tQ...........
00 close on 5 December this year. It is about to reopen next year as part of the ....... d,4"..........
85
Round up: Units 4 and 5
The future
use form example
prediction
personal willlwon't He'll be in prison for o long time. 4.1A
impersonal The wor will be over next month. 4.14
prediction with present evidence be going to Look ot those clouds. lt's going to
5now. 4.18
prediction of an action in progress willlwon't be This time tomorrow we'll be sitting in 4.1C
+ verb -ing o Tuscon cafd.
prediction of an action comPleted willlwon't have l'll have finished this report bg 3.30. 4.1D
by a point in the future + past participle
prediction of an action still willlwon't hqve She'll hove been working there for 4.1D
ongoing at a point in the future been + verb -ing 25 geors next month.
intention
decision made at the time of willlwon't I'll get the phone. 4.2A
speaking
intention be going to Theg're going to take voluntarg 4.28
redundoncg.
determination willlwon't I will give up smoking! 4.24
be going to I am going to give up smoking! 4.28
arrangements
personal present We're taking o month off in the summer. 4.3A
contin uous
impersonal The bank is laging off 200 staff. 4.3A
arrangement made in the past willlwon't be We'll be coming back from Edinburgh 4.38
+ verb -ing on Sundog.
tactful queries/reason for rejection Will gou be eating with us? 4.38
l'll be rehearsing tomorrow night.
a6
use form examPle
87