A2 Grammar: Future Forms

A2 Grammar: Future Forms
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

A2: Elementary

A road stretching into the horizon, representing the future

Future Forms: ‘Going to’ & ‘Will’

To talk about the future in English, we mainly use `going to` and `will`. They are not always interchangeable; they have specific uses for plans, predictions, and spontaneous decisions.

Scope & Content:

  • `Going to`: For future plans and intentions.
  • `Will`: For spontaneous decisions, offers, promises, and predictions.

⚠️ Attention: Common Challenges

1. Plans vs. Spontaneous Decisions: This is the key difference.

  • `Going to` (Plan): “I am going to visit my grandmother this weekend.” (I decided this before now).
  • `Will` (Spontaneous): (The phone rings) “I will get it!” (I decided this at the moment of speaking).

2. Predictions: You can often use both, but there is a subtle difference.

  • `Going to` (Evidence): “Look at those dark clouds! It’s going to rain.” (Based on present evidence).
  • `Will` (Opinion/Belief): “I think the Brazil team will win the next World Cup.” (Based on personal opinion).

Practice Quiz

1. I’ve decided. I ____ a new car next month.

2. “The doorbell is ringing!” “Okay, I ____ it!”

3. Look at the sky! It ____ soon.

4. I promise I ____ you with your homework.

5. What ____ you ____ this evening? Do you have plans?

6. That bag looks heavy. I ____ it for you.

7. In the year 2050, I think people ____ on Mars.

8. My sister ____ a baby in May. (She is pregnant).

9. “I’m cold.” “I ____ the window.”

10. We ____ to Spain for our vacation this year. We already bought the tickets.