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Expressing The Future: Present Simple Present Continuous

This document compares and contrasts the use of different verb tenses and structures to express future events in English: the present simple, present continuous, be going to, and will. It outlines when each is used - the present simple for timetables, the present continuous for plans, be going to for predictions and intentions, and will for predictions, spontaneous decisions, and offers.

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148 views

Expressing The Future: Present Simple Present Continuous

This document compares and contrasts the use of different verb tenses and structures to express future events in English: the present simple, present continuous, be going to, and will. It outlines when each is used - the present simple for timetables, the present continuous for plans, be going to for predictions and intentions, and will for predictions, spontaneous decisions, and offers.

Uploaded by

Vero Nika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Expressing the Future


Present Simple     Present Continuous
1. In sentences that concern events that are on a 1. In sentences that concern a
definite schedule or timetable. These sentences definite plan or arrangement. These
usually contain future words. Only a few verbs sentences usually contain future
are used in this way, eg: to be, open, close, begin, words, or the future is understood
start, end, finish, arrive, come, leave, return. from the context.

The train LEAVES Detroit at 9pm tonight. Mary IS TAKING her music exam next
year.
John STARTS work next week.
They can’t play tennis with you
Tomorrow IS Thursday. tomorrow. THEY’RE WORKING.

WE’RE GOING to the theatre on


Friday.
Be Going To Will
1. When the speaker is making a prediction 1. When the speaker is making a
based on evidence. prediction.

There’s a cloud in the sky. IT’S GOING TO rain. Tomorrow WILL BE hot and sunny.

2. When the speaker already has an intention or People WILL GO to Mars in the next
plan. decade.

WE’RE GOING TO paint our bedroom tomorrow. 2. When the speaker decides to do
something at the time of speaking. He
Jo has won the lottery. He says HE’S GOING TO had no previous plan. Spontaneous.
go to Tahiti.
Hold on. I’LL GET a pen.

We WILL SEE what we can do to help


you.

Maybe WE’LL STAY IN and WATCH


television.

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