Talking about the future

• 6 Talking about the future

  6.1

  will

  

  

  will is used to talk about the future, especially spontaneous decisions, predictions, and promises.

  Structure: 主语 + will + 动词原形(Same for all persons; will not = won't)

  我I 将will 打电话call （给你）you 今晚tonight.

  I will call you tonight.

  （天气it）It 将will 下雨rain 明天tomorrow.

  It will rain tomorrow.

  Note

  • Use the base form of the verb after will: ~~will to go~~ ✗ → will go ✓.
  • Negative uses won't: I won't be late. (I will not be late.)

  6.2

  be going to

  be going to is used to talk about plans and predictions based on current evidence.

  Structure: 主语 + am / is / are + going to + 动词原形

  我们We （be）are 打算going to 拜访visit 我们的our 奶奶grandma.

  We are going to visit Grandma. (A plan already made)

  看Look （介词）at （冠词）the 云clouds （天气it）! It （be）is 将要going to 下雨rain.

  Look at those clouds! It's going to rain. (Based on current signs)

  will or going to?

  • Spontaneous decision → will: The phone is ringing. I'll get it. (Phone rings, I decide now to answer.)
  • Pre-planned intention → going to: I'm going to study tonight. (I have planned to study tonight.)

  6.3

  Present continuous for future plans

  The present continuous can also express scheduled future events (especially when there is a definite time or place).

  Structure: 主语 + am / is / are + 动词-ing + 将来时间

  我I （be）am 见面meeting 汤姆Tom 明天tomorrow.

  I am meeting Tom tomorrow. (An appointment has been set)

  我们We （be）are 飞flying 去to 东京Tokyo 在on 周五Friday.

  We are flying to Tokyo on Friday. (Tickets are booked)

  Note: This usage emphasizes that something is "already arranged," which is similar to 'be going to'; the key factor is having a definite future time.

  Common Errors

  • ❌ ~~I go to Shanghai tomorrow.~~ → ✓ I am going to Shanghai tomorrow. / I will go… — The Chinese "I go to Shanghai tomorrow" lacks a future marker; English requires adding (will / going to / present continuous).
  • ❌ ~~We will going to visit grandma.~~ → ✓ We are going to visit… / We will visit… — will and be going to are separate structures and cannot be combined.
  • ❌ ~~She will comes tomorrow.~~ → ✓ She will come tomorrow. — After will, use the base form of the verb; no -s is added for any person.
  • Exception: Timetables (trains, flights, classes) can use the simple present to express the future: The train leaves at 9. (The train leaves at nine o'clock.)

All topics · English Grammar · A2