TENSES TO TALK

TENSES TO TALK
ABOUT THE FUTURE
Present Simple
 The present simple is used with a future
meaning when we talk about timetables,
programmes on tv, films plays at the
cinema or theatre.

Ex: The train leaves at 9.

The museum closes at 7.
The shop opens at 10.
 
TENSES TO TALK
The Going to Future
We use this tense to talk about actions we have
planned or decided to do, to talk about intentions.
Ex: I’m going to buy a new mobile phone.

We also use this tense to make predictions based on

present evidence.
Ex: I’ve missed the bus. I’m going to be late.

This tense is similar to the present continuous

but when we talk about intentions only
the going to future is possible.
Ex: I’m going to become a lawyer.
Not: I’m becoming a lawyer.
The Simple Future
We use it to make general predictions. It
is very common after the following expressions:
I'm sure, I think, I expect, I hope, I suppose, I'm afraid,
probably, perhaps, possibly, surely.
Ex: I’m afraid I will fail the maths exam.

We also use it to talk about instant decisions, the ones we make

at the time of speaking.
Ex: I’m tired. I’ll have a rest till dinner time.
Threats, promises and offers
Ex:Tell me your secret. I promise I’ll keep it.
I’ll do the cooking today, don’t worry.
Be quiet or I’ll punish you!

We also use the Simple Future in the main clause in the 1 st

type of conditional sentences.
Ex: I’ll phone John if you give me his number.
 TENSES TO TALK
ABOUT THE FUTURE
Present Continuous
 
We use this tense when we talk about
arrangements. An expression of future
time is used to make clear that the
meaning is future.

Ex: We are visiting Sue next weekend.

They’re going to the zoo tomorrow

 
 TENSES TO TALK
ABOUT THE FUTURE

The Future Continuous

This tense is used to talk about an action in
progress at a certain future time.
Ex: I’ll be cooking lunch at this time
tomorrow.
It’s also used to talk about planned actions
in the future like the present continuous.
Ex: I’ll be meeting Bob at the end of the
week.
She will be teaching this grammar topic again
next week.
 TENSES TO TALK
ABOUT THE FUTURE
The Future Perfect
It is used to talk about a completed action at a certain
future time.
Ex: I’ll have finished all my exams before the end of
this week.
It is often used with a time expression using by + a
point in future time.
Ex: By next Monday my father will have returned
from his trip to the USA.
What will you have done by the end of this month?
Paul won't have spent all his money by the end of
this week
Fill in the blanks with the verbs in brackets in the right tense (present simple, present
continuous, going to future or simple future. Sometimes more than one answer is
possible.

1.-We ………………..……… (have) a party to celebrate my parents’ wedding anniversary

next weekend. I’m sure we ………………….… (have) a great time.

2.-I………………………… (go) to the supermarket this afternoon. –Oh, that’s great.

……………………..… (you / get) me some fruit?

3.-What time…………………..… (your English class / start) ? –It…………………..…

(start) at 4 and …………………..… (finish) at 5:15.

4.-I need some help to move this sofa. –No, problem. I …………………..… (help) you. I’m
much stronger than you.

5.-Did you know that Mary is pregnant? . –Yes, she told me she …………………..… (have)
her baby next June.

6.-I haven’t decided what I……………………….…..… (do) during the summer holidays.
Maybe I ………………………………….. (go) to Paris to visit some relatives of mine.
6.-I haven’t decided what I……………………….…..… (do) during the summer holidays.
Maybe I ………………………………….. (go) to Paris to visit some relatives of mine.

7.-This is the third glass of beer she has drunk. She should stop drinking. She
…………………………...… (get) drunk.

8.-My plane …………………………..… (take) off at 9:00 am and……………………

(arrive) in London at 11.15.

9.-I’ve just heard Marta ………………………….…..… (move) to Madrid in a couple of

weeks. She has found a job in an important firm. I don’t think
she………………………….…(come) back here again

10.-Peter is a very independent boy. I don’t think he………………………….…..… (get)

married or ………………………….…..… (have) any children.
11.-Look at that beautiful dress! It’s wonderful, I think I …………………….…..…
(buy) it.

12.-Have you got an appointment with the dentist? –Yes, I ……………………………

(see) him tomorrow at 19:15.

13.-Wait for me, please. I……………………… (not be) long. I ………………… (get)
ready in a few minutes.

14.-We’ve had a wonderful time on the island. Unfortunately, our holidays are over
now and we ………………………….…. (return) home tomorrow morning. I’m sure
we………………………… (come) back here next year.

15.-Peter, you haven’t tidied your room yet. –Yes, mum but I promise
I………………………….…. (tidy) it when I finish my homework.
16.-Shall we go out for a drink? – I’m sorry but I ………………………….…. (watch) the
film on TV. You can ask Helen. I’m sure she ………………………….…..… (be) very
pleased to go with you.

17.-You have received a lot of e-mails today. ………………………..… ( you/ answer)

them all?
-Yes, I ………………………… (do) it as soon as I return home from work.

18.-Lisa ………………… (come) to tea today. We haven’t seen her since she was a child.
Maybe we ………………………….…..… (recognize) her. She must have changed a lot.

19.-I haven’t had time to buy Fred a present for his birthday. –Never mind.
I…………………………. (buy) him one when I go downtown.

20.-I ………………………….…..… (meet) Alice outside the cinema at 8:00. Would you
like to come? –Yes, sure! What ……………….…..… (you/ see) – The Chronicles of
Narnia. –Great! I ……………….…..… (be) there at 8:00.