Курс: General English Уровень: Intermediate www.englex.

ru

2 FUTURE FORMS. PRESENT CONTINUOUS, PRESENT

SIMPLE, WILL, BE GOING TO
be going to + infinitive
future plans and intentions
My sister’s going to adopt a child.
Are you going to buy a new car or a second-hand one?
I’m not going to go to New York tomorrow. The meeting is cancelled.

predictions
Barcelona are going to win. They’re playing really well.
Look at those black clouds. I think it’s going to rain.

● We use going to (NOT will/won’t) when we have already decided to do

something. NOT My sister will adopt a child.
● We also use going to to make a prediction about the future, especially when
you can see or have some evidence (e.g. black clouds).

Present continuous: be + verb + -ing

future arrangements
Lorna and Jamie are getting married in October.
We’re meeting at 10.00 tomorrow in Jack’s office.
Jane’s leaving on Friday and coming back next Tuesday.

● We often use the present continuous for future arrangements.

● There is very little difference between the present continuous and going to
for future plans and arrangements, and often you can use either.
- going to shows that you have made a decision.
We are going to get married next year.
- the present continuous emphasizes that you have made the arrangements.
We’re getting married on October 12th. (=we’ve booked the church, etc.)
● We often use the present continuous with verbs relating to travel
arrangements, e.g. go, come, arrive, leave etc.
I’m going to Paris tomorrow and coming back on Tuesday.

Present Simple
timetables and schedules
The train leaves in five minutes.
Our classes start next Tuesday.

We can use the present simple to talk about future events which are part of a
timetable or a regular schedule.

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will / shall + infinitive

instant decisions, promises, offers, predictions, future facts, suggestions
1 I’ll have the steak. (instant decision)
I won’t tell anybody where you are. (promise)
I’ll carry that bag for you. (offer)
You’ll love New York! (prediction)
I’ll be at home all afternoon. (future fact)
2 Shall I help you with your homework? (offer)
Shall we eat out tonight? (suggestion)

1 We use will/won’t (NOT the present simple) for instant decisions,

promises, offers, and suggestions. NOT I carry that bag for you.
● We can also use will/won’t for predictions, e.g. I think Barcelona will
win, and to talk about future facts, e.g. The election will be on 1st
March.
2 We use shall (NOT will) with I and we for offers and suggestions when
they are questions.

1. GRAMMAR PRACTICE. Read the conversation and underline the correct option in italics.

Tony: Two of my friends 1 are helping / will help me prepare the room on Saturday afternoon. 2 We’re
going to hang / We’ll hang sheets on the walls and ceiling. Then 3 we’re going to put / We’re
putting coloured lights everywhere. 4 We’ll have / We’re having a band and a DJ from eight to
midnight. I’ve already booked them.
Aunt: OK, I think 5 I’ll warn / I’m going to warn the neighbours!
Tony: We’ve decided to have a fancy dress theme – everybody 6 will come / is coming as their
favourite film character.
Uncle: Oh good, I think 7 I’ll come / I’m going to come as Captain Jack Sparrow!
Aunt: No, 8 we’ll go out / we’re going out to the theatre, remember? I told you yesterday.
Uncle: I know, I was joking. Now what are you 9 eating / going to eat?
Tony: That’s all arranged. Mum 10 will make / is making some pizzas.
Aunt: And what about the cleaning the next day?
Tony: Oh, erm … don’t worry, 11 I’ll do / I’m doing that with my friend Luisa. She won’t mind!

2. Underline the correct option in italics.

1. a customer at a café:
I’ll have / ‘m having a big glass of orange juice, please.
2. someone who was invited to a picnic on Saturday:
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I can’t come. My uncle will paint / is going to paint his house and I’ll help / I’m going to paint his
house.
3. someone who’s just heard about uncle Bob’s problem:
What? Uncle Bob will paint / is going to paint his house all by himself on Saturday? I’ll help / I’m
helping him!
4. a businesswoman talking about her plans for the new year:
I’m going to help / I’m helping some African charities this year.

3. Read the conversations and underline the correct options in italics.

Conversation 1
A: I hear your parents have just bought a new house. When 1 are you moving / will you move in?
B: Oh, we 2 won’t move / aren’t moving in until next month. On the twenty-eighth, I think.

Conversation 2
A: Are you coming to class? it’s almost 9 o’clock.
B: Yes. 3 I’m seeing / I’ll see you later, Caroline, OK?
A: OK, bye.

Conversation 3
A: On ho! That man has just stolen my bag!
B: 4 I’m calling / I’ll call the police.

Conversation 4
A: What 5 will we have / are we having for dinner today?
B: Oh, I don’t know. 6 We’ll see / We’re seeing what’s in the freezer.

4. Underline the correct option in italics to complete the sentences.

1. There are no clouds in the sky. It won’t / isn’t going to rain today, so let’s go to the beach.
2. In the future, ordinary people won’t / aren’t going to be able to travel abroad as inexpensively as
people do now.
3. The tourist board have plans for the island. They’ll / ‘re going to build new hotels there.
4. Your suitcase looks really heavy. I’ll / ‘m going to carry it upstairs for you if you like.
5. We’ve had a look at the brochure and decided on a hotel. We’ll / ‘re going to stay on the coast.

5. Underline the correct option in italics.

1. A: I don’t think we’ve got enough chairs for everyone.

B: I’ll / ‘m going to get some more from next door.
2. A: Look! Our bus is coming! Hurry up!
B: I don’t want to run. I think I’ll / ‘m going to wait for the next one.
3. A: Are you free this afternoon?
B: No, I’ve got to go to the library. I’ll / ‘m going to look at their collection of old newspapers for my
History project.
4. A: Please don’t tell Kate or Lucy.
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B: OK. I won’t / ‘m going to tell anybody. Don’t worry.

5. A: Have you sold your car yet?
B: Yes. I’ll / ‘m going to get a new one next month.

6. Read the extract from a radio travel programme. Complete the sentences with will or be going to in
the correct affirmative form.

Travel the World

Next week, on Travel the World, I 1 __’m going to__ visit an unspoilt island in the Pacific where islanders
face a difficult choice. A major hotel chain has offered a lot of money to build a luxury hotel, and they 2
__________ start construction next year. At least, that’s their plan. The islanders have the final say, and
they 3 __________ hold a meeting to discuss all the issues. We hope to be there to hear what they think.
Currently, nobody knows what 4 __________ decide to do. Many people believe that tourism 5
__________ bring unwanted pollution and large, ugly building to the island. At the same time, others
believe it 6 __________ create jobs and introduce shops and services. On other islands nearby, for
example, the arrival of tourism has resulted in the destruction of coral reefs and the islanders’ traditional
way of life; but people are richer and have more opportunities. Clearly, the choice isn’t an easy one. I 7
__________ see you next week. Goodbye from paradise.

7. Fill in the gaps with shall, will or the correct form of be going to.

1. A: It’s too hot in here.

B: You’re right. I __will__ open a window.
2. A: __________ I put the baby to bed, now?
B: Yes, he looks a little tired.
3. A: Have you see Lucy recently?
B: No, but I __________ meet her for lunch later today.
4. A: Have you done the shopping yet?
B: No, but I __________ probably do it tomorrow, after work.
5. A: __________ we ask Mr Perkins for help with the project?
B: That’s a good idea. Let’s ask him now.

8. Complete the email with the correct future form of the verbs in (brackets).

Hi Amy,
You know I 1 __________ (move) house next week. Well, I’ve decided that I 2 __________ (have) a
house-warming party in the new house. The theme is Superheroes, so I 3 __________ (dress up) as
Batman. You know my mum’s a fantastic cook, so she 4 __________ (make) four types of pizza. I think
everybody 5 __________ (like) that. I’m not sure about the music. I think I 6 __________ (get) a DJ and
ask him to play lots of dance music.

9. Complete the sentences with the correct future form of the verbs in (brackets).

1. Mum __________ (see) the dentist this afternoon.

2. It’s my birthday next month, but I __________ (not have) a party.

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3. Brrr, it’s cold in here! I think I __________ (turn) the heating on.
4. What __________ (you / do) later? Do you want to go for a coffee?
5. My cousin __________ (get married) in May.
6. Sorry, I can’t talk now. I __________ (call) you back later.
7. A: These bags are so heavy.
B: I __________ (carry) them for you.
8. __________ (you / study) in London or in Brighton?

10. Complete the pairs of sentences with the correct form of the verbs in (brackets). Use be going to or
the present continuous.

1. a We __________ (eat) in a restaurant, but we haven't decided which one.

b We __________ (eat) in a restaurant tonight. The table is booked for 7.00.
2. a Nathan __________ (visit) his friend in the UK next week. He reserved a seat yesterday.
b Nathan __________ (visit) his friend in the UK if he can find a cheap flight.
3. a Penny and Jill __________ (play) tennis if it stops raining.
b Penny and Jill __________ (play) tennis at 4.30 at the sports centre.

11. Complete the messages with the most appropriate future forms of the verbs in (brackets).

A: Hi, Lily. Got any plans for today?

B: Hi, Alex. I’m meeting (meet) Fran at 4 pm. We 1 __________ (see) the new James Bond film if there
are any seats left. Wanna come?
A: Love to. :) Do you need a lift to town? I 2 __________ (pick) you up if you want.
B: Cool. Katie’s here now – we 3 __________ (do) some homework after lunch (at least that’s the
plan!). I think we 4 __________ (be) free by 3 pm though.
A: OK. By the way, Pete 5 __________ (have) a party tonight. His parents are away. We can all go after
the film.
B: Fantastic! Fran loves parties. And she likes Pete. ;)

12. Complete the conversation with will or be going to and the verbs in (brackets).

1. A: Do you know any good travel websites?

B: Just a minute. I’ll show (show) you some.
2. A: You’re going to the US this summer, aren’t you?
B: Yes. We __________ (hire) a car and drive round California.
A: Lucky you! You __________ (have) a great time.
3. A: Look at those clouds! I think it __________ (rain).
B: Yes. I think you’re right. I __________ (get) my umbrella.
4. A: Are you free on Wednesday?
B: Sorry. I’m __________ (see) my grandparents in London. How about the week after?
A: OK, I __________ (call) you early next week.
5. A: Here’s the book I was talking about. I think you __________ (enjoy) it.
B: Thanks. I __________ (give) it back to you next week, if that’s OK.
6. A: I think you’ve missed the last bus.
B: I __________ (get) a taxi, then. How much do you think it __________ (cost)?
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A: I’m really not sure, but I guess it __________ (not be) more than ten euros.
7. A: Where are you going?
B: To the shops. I __________ (get) something to eat.
A: While you’re there, we need some milk.
B: OK, I __________ (get) some milk as well.
8. A: Oh, no! The plane’s delayed by four hours. It __________ (be) a long day!
B: Oh, well. In that case, I __________ (do) some work while we’re waiting.

13. Complete the blog entry about a trip to Peru using will or be going to and the verbs in (brackets).

So, yesterday we took the train from La Paz, Bolivia, into Peru, stopping at Puno, and today we 1
__________ (visit) the floating islands on Lake Titicaca. I can’t wait. Ever since I first heard about these
islands in a geography class many years ago, I’ve wanted to see them. Actually, I don’t really enjoy boat
trips, but I’m sure the water on the lake 2 __________ (be) quite calm, as it’s a clear sunny day. It’s quite
cold, though, so I 3 __________ (take) an extra sweater to keep warm.
I’m really interested in finding out more about how people live there. I believe we 4 __________ (be able
to) ask them questions through a guide. I’d love to know what people eat – a lot of fish, I suppose! I’d
also like to know what they think the future holds for them and their families. Do they think their children
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__________ (stay) on the islands? What effect 6 __________ technology __________ (have) on their
lives? I know they already have solar power and even black and white TVs.
Just thought! It would be great to have some photos for the blog, so I 7 __________ (take) my camera,
too. Just hope I don’t drop it in the water…

14. Read the responses of six holidaymakers to the question What are your holiday plans this year?
Complete the responses with will or be going to and the verbs in (brackets).

1. We’ve just bought a new house, s we can’t afford a holiday. We’re going to stay (stay) at home!
2. I haven’t really thought about it, but I don’t think we __________ (go) abroad this summer.
3. We’ve planned a holiday in Scotland. We __________ (climb) Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in
Britain.
4. My boyfriend and I have decided to go to New York in June. We __________ (book) the tickets
tomorrow. I can’t wait!
5. I never go away on holiday. One day, pollution from carbon fuels __________ (destroy) the ozone
layer. That’s why I never fly.
6. I haven’t thought about it, to be honest. I __________ (tell) you later.

15. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of will or be going to and the verb in (brackets).

1. A: Why are you buying flour and eggs?

B: Because I’m going to make (make) a cake.
2. A: I have decided what to buy Mum for her birthday.
B: Really. What __________ (you / buy) for her?
3. A: Did you ask Jackie to the party?
B: Oh no! I forgot! I __________ (ask) her tonight.
4. A: Could I speak to Jim, please?
B: Wait a minute. I __________ (get) him for you.
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5. A: What are your plans for the weekend?

B: I __________ (spend) some time with my friends.
6. A: What are you doing on Friday night?
B: Oh, I __________ (probably / stay) at home with my family.
7. A: Have you tidied your room yet?
B: No, but I promise I __________ (do) it this afternoon.
8. A: Look at the boy!
B: Oh yes! He __________ (climb) the tree.
9. A: Jason is very clever for his age.
B: Yes. He says he __________ (become) a doctor when he grows up.
10. A: I’m too tired to cut the grass.
B: Don’t worry! I __________ (cut) it for you.

16. Complete the sentences. Use will or be going to and the verbs in (brackets).

1. We could have the party here. I’m sure the neighbours __________ (not mind) the noise.
2. Matt probably __________ (not come) with us. He doesn’t like football.
3. She’s working too hard. She __________ (get) ill.
4. In twenty years’ time, the tree in our garden __________ (be) really tall.
5. I __________ (have) some horrible dreams tonight after that film! It was really scary!
6. Don’t worry about the ink on your shirt. I’m sure nobody __________ (notice) it.
7. It __________ (be) a lovely day. Look at that clear blue sky!
8. I think we __________ (have) enough time to eat before the film, so let’s find a café.

17. Put the verbs in (brackets) into the present simple, the present continuous or the future simple.

Hi! My name is Nuno and I’m Portuguese. Like every teen, I enjoy spending time with my friends.
unfortunately, my parents 1 __don’t think__ (not / think) I’m old enough to stay out late at night. They say
that I 2 __________ (be able to) when I am older.
In Portugal, children my age 3 __________ (watch) a lot of sports, especially football. My favourite
football player is Christiano Ronaldo. At present, he 4 __________ (play) for Real Madrid and is also the
captain of the Portuguese national team. Apart from watching sports, I listen to rap music. My favourite
singer is Kayne West. He 5 __________ (come) to Portugal this summer. I’m so excited.
At the moment, in school I 6 __________ (try) to get good grades. After I finish high school, I hope I 7
__________ (go) to university. But like most teenagers, I just want to have fun for now!

18. Put the verbs in (brackets) into the present simple, the present continuous or the future simple.

Jack: 1 ___Are you coming___ (you / come) to the concert on Saturday?

Peter: No, I 2 __________ (be) in London then.
Jack: Really? Why 3 __________ (you / go) there?
Peter: I 4 __________ (visit) my sister. It’s her birthday at the weekend and we 5 __________ (go
shopping) for a present.
Jack: 6 __________ (you / give) me a ring before you 7 __________ (leave)? There are a few things I’d
like you to buy me while you 8 __________ (be) there.
Peter: Sure. No problem. I 9 __________ (call) you on Friday.
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19. Complete the text with will or be going to and the verbs in the box. In some cases both forms are
possible.

be do (x2) go have not have help rent

You asked about our summer holiday plans. Well, we 1 are going to rent a boat in Turkey and spend two
weeks sailing along the coast. I’ve never sailed before, so I think I 2 __________ a couple of lessons
before we go. They have courses near here at the sailing club in Portsmouth, so I 3 __________ there. But
the other people we are going with are all experienced sailors, so I’m pretty sure we 4 __________ any
problems. I guess they 5 __________ most of the sailing and I 6 __________ a little when needed.
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to it – I think it 7 __________ fun. What about your holidays? 8
__________ you __________ anything this summer?

See you soon,

Denise

20. Complete the conversation. Use will or be going to and the verbs in the box.

be call give live move rent study

A: Do you plan to go to university?

B: Yes. I’m going to study medicine in London.
A: Brilliant! I’m sure you 1 __________ a great doctor!
B: Thanks!
A: Where 2 __________?
B: I don’t know. I haven’t arranged anything yet. I think I 3 __________ a room in a house with some
other students. The problem is that everywhere is very expensive.
A: My brother 4 __________ to London next month. He’s just bought a flat there. I 5 __________ you
his phone number. He might be able to help.
B: Thanks very much! I 6 __________ him tomorrow.

21. COMMUNICATION PRACTICE. Work with your teacher. Ask and answer the questions about
your plans for next weekend / holiday / summer. Think about:

 place to go
 people to go with
 how to get there
 place to stay
 things to do

A: Are you doing anything next weekend?

B: Yes, I’m visiting a friend in Manchester, etc.

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