2. In English like in Spanish we have different ways to express decision, an
intention, or plans. In English there are two manners to express those ideas.
• Got any plans?
• Have made a decision about your future life?
• Any new resolutions?
3. Future
• The future tense has two different forms in English, will and be going to.
Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often
express two very different meanings: will is used for expressing voluntary
actions and be going to is used for plans.
4. Simple Future
• The simple future is made with the modal verb will + verb.
Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and will.
Negatives are made with not.
PP + Will + Verb + Complement
• Statement: I will help him later.
• Question: Will I help him later?
• Negative: I will not help him later.
5. • I will send you the information when I get it.
• I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
• Will you help me move this heavy table?
• Will you make dinner?
• I will not do your homework for you.
• I won't do all the housework myself!
6. Shall
• "Shall" is a modal verb used to indicate future action. It is most
commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in
suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in
promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to
describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination.
7. Idiomatic future
• The idiomatic future in English it is formed with the structure to be + going
to followed by a verb in its simple form and is used to indicate future events
with implications of compulsion, determination, need or obligation.
• However, the future idiom is used especially when talking about decisions
prior to the moment it is spoken or when there is a possibility that something
will happen.
8. • Idiomatic future in English have the following format:
PP +verb to be(conjugated) +verb go (gerund) + to +verb simple form) + C
The sentences below serve as examples:
• Paul is going to buy a car.
• I am going to write a letter .
• We are going to fix that .
9. Will or Be Going to to Express a Prediction
• Both will and be going to can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions
are guesses about what might happen in the future. In prediction sentences, the subject usually has
little control over the future. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
• Examples:
• The year 2023 will be a very interesting year.
• The year 2023 is going to be a very interesting year.
• John Smith will be the next President.
• John Smith is going to be the next President.
• The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
• The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
10. Exercise.
• The train ___ at 11:45. (to leave)
• We _____ dinner at a nice restaurant on Saturday, but we have't booked a table yet. (to have)
• My ski instructor believes it___ in the mountains tomorrow evening. (to snow)
• On Sunday at 8 o'clock I ___ my friend. (to meet)
• They____ to London on Friday evening at 8:15. (to fly)
• Wait! I ____you to the station. (to drive)
• The English lesson _____ at 8:45. (to start)
• I ____ my sister in April. (to see)
• Look at the clouds – it____ in a few minutes. (to rain)
• Listen! There's someone at the door. I _____ the door for you. (to open)
