4.2 FUTURE FORMS

Read the extracts from the conversations in 4.3 record

Who is speaking?

When are you off? The taxi (?) me (?)(pick up) at seven tomorrow.

The taxi’s picking me up at seven tomorrow.

Not my idea of a holiday! Actually, I don't think it (be) too hard.

Actually, I don’t think it’ll be too hard

I didn’t know you were interested in gardening. I’m not really, but apparently there (be) some building work on the house. They’re not sure yet.

I’m not really, but apparently there might be some building work on the house. They’re not sure yet.

. Bear with me a minute. I(?) just (check) the latest information on the computer.

Bear with me a minute. I’ll just check the latest information on the computer

The plane is (arrive) at 10.30 ... at the earliest. But that’s over three hours’ time! I'm sorry, sir. And it (be) later than that.

The plane is due to arrive at 10.30 ... at the earliest. But that’s over three hours’ time! I’m sorry, sir. And it’s likely to be later than that.

So are you hoping to go back? I’d love to. Maria’s invited me and I (go back) next summer, but only if I can afford the flight. But I have a plan. I (look for) a new job, with more money.

So are you hoping to go back? I’d love to. Maria’s invited me and I might go back next summer, but only if I can afford the flight. But I have a plan. I’m going to look for a new job, with more money.

RULE 1 Use the present continuous for definite arrangements.

The taxi’s picking me up at seven tomorrow.

RULE 2 Use be going to/be planning to/be hoping to + infinitive for a general intention.

I’m going to look for a new job.

RULE 3 Use will ('ll) for a decision made at the moment of speaking.

I’ll just check the latest information on the computer

RULE 4 Use might/could + infinitive for an intention that is not certain

I might go back next summer.

RULE 5 Use will ('ll)/won't + infinitive for general predictions.

I don’t think it’ll be too hard.

RULE 6 Use be due to when something is expected or scheduled to happen.

The plane is due to arrive at 10.30 ... at the earliest.

RULE 7 Use be likely/unlikely to for a prediction that is probable.

And it’s likely to be later than that.

RULE 8 Use might/could + infinitive for an intention that is not certain.

... apparently there might be some building work on the house.

(?) go to Venezuela on holiday this year. I booked yesterday.

We're going go to Venezuela on holiday this year. I booked yesterday.

(?) go camping at the weekend but we're not sure yet.

We'll probably go camping at the weekend but we're not sure yet.

On Saturday (?) some friends for lunch.

On Saturday I'm meeting some friends for lunch.

In the future (?) English to get a better job.

In the future I'm going to use English to get a better job.

I think it (?) this weekend.

I think it 'll rain this weekend.

There's no lesson today? In that case (?) at home and study.

There's no lesson today? In that case I'll stay at home and study.

I'm (?) travel to China at some point in the future.

I'm hoping to travel to China at some point in the future.

(?) to live abroad in the future.

I'm unlikely to live abroad in the future.

We are due (?) our test results by the end of the weekend.

We are due to get our test results by the end of the weekend.

Our national team (?) win.

Our national team definitely won't win.

I might go to Croatia on holiday this year.

Sounds good. Whereabouts in Croatia?

Hey Mike, (?) on the ski trip this weekend?

Hey Mike, are you coming/are you going to come on the ski trip this weekend?

Of course. I haven't signed up yet, but (?) that now.

Of course. I haven't signed up yet, but I'm going to do/ I'll do that now.

Where (?) from?

Where does the bus leave/is the bus due to leave from?

It (?) from in front of the office.

It leaves/'s leaving from in front of the office.

Great! What are the snow conditions (?) be like?

Great! What are the snow conditions likely to/going to be like?

It's already snowing there now so (?) perfect conditions.

It's already snowing there now so it's going to be/it'll be perfect conditions.

I'm (?) to try some of the highest runs.

I'm hoping/planning to try some of the highest runs.

Great. (?) you before then, but if not, see you on the bus!

Great. I'll probably see/I might see you before then, but if not, see you on the bus!

Complete the sentences with an appropriate future form.

Sometimes there is more than one possibility.

I (stay) at home this evening, but I haven't decided yet.

I might stay at home this evening, but I haven't decided yet.

Maybe I (watch) a DVD or something.

Maybe I'll watch a DVD or something.

(?) Sandra (be) there tomorrow?

Is Sandra going to be/Will Sandra be there tomorrow?

Then I (definitely/go)!

Then I'll definitely go/'m definitely going!

The first metro (due/arrive) at 5a.m. but there is an electrical problem so it's (likely/delay)!

The first metro is due to arrive at 5 a.m. but there is an electrical problem so it's likely to be delayed!

Rick (think of/move) abroad.

Rick is thinking of moving abroad.

I guess he (be) happier there.

I guess he'll be happier there.

The deadline is midnight tonight, so I (probably/not finish) the application in time.

The deadline is midnight tonight, so I probably won't finish the application in time.

I (not see) Ken before the end of the afternoon

I might not see Ken before the end of the afternoon

but I (definitely/see) him tomorrow.

but I'll definitely see him tomorrow.