2.2 Future Tenses

Will, going to, present continuous.

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Talking About the Future

In English, there are several ways to talk about the future. Each form has its own uses!

Three main ways:
1. Will + infinitive
2. Be going to + infinitive
3. Present continuous (for arranged plans)

Future with "Will"

Form: will + infinitive (base form of verb) Positive: I will help you. / I'll help you. Negative: I will not go. / I won't go. Question: Will you come? Use "will" for: 1. Instant decisions (decided at the moment of speaking) - "The phone is ringing." - "I'll answer it." - "I'll have the pizza, please." 2. Predictions (opinions/beliefs) - I think it will rain tomorrow. - She will probably be late. 3. Promises and offers - I will always love you. (promise) - I'll carry that for you. (offer) 4. Facts about the future - The sun will rise at 6:30 tomorrow.

Future with "Be Going To"

Form: am/is/are + going to + infinitive Positive: I am going to study. / I'm going to study. Negative: She is not going to come. / She isn't going to come. Question: Are you going to help? Use "be going to" for: 1. Plans and intentions (already decided) - I'm going to visit my grandmother this weekend. - They're going to buy a new car. 2. Predictions based on evidence (you can see something) - Look at those clouds! It's going to rain. - She's running too fast. She's going to fall!

Present Continuous for Future

Form: am/is/are + verb-ing Use present continuous for: Fixed arrangements (specific plans with time/place) - I'm meeting Sarah at 3 o'clock. - We're flying to London on Friday. - She's starting a new job next week. Note: This is used when arrangements are definite - you have a time, place, or appointment confirmed. Comparison: - I'm going to meet Sarah. (plan/intention) - I'm meeting Sarah at 3 o'clock. (fixed arrangement)

✏️Example: Choosing the Right Future Form

Choose the best future form for each situation:

1. You see dark clouds:
"It's going to rain." (prediction based on evidence)

2. Someone asks what you want to drink:
"I'll have a coffee, please." (instant decision)

3. You have concert tickets for Saturday:
"I'm going to a concert on Saturday." (fixed arrangement)

4. You have decided to learn guitar:
"I'm going to learn guitar this year." (plan/intention)

5. Someone drops their books:
"I'll help you." (offer, instant decision)

Common Mistakes

Avoid these errors:

❌ "I will to go" → ✓ "I will go" (no "to" after will)

❌ "I am go to study" → ✓ "I am going to study"

❌ "She will goes" → ✓ "She will go" (no -s after will)

❌ "I'm going to meeting him" → ✓ "I'm going to meet him" (infinitive after going to)

Remember: After "will" and "going to", use the base form (infinitive without "to").

Common future time expressions:

- tomorrow
- next week/month/year
- in two days
- on Monday
- this weekend
- tonight
- later
- soon
- in the future

Example: "I'll see you tomorrow."

📝Oppgave 1

Which sentence expresses an instant decision?

📝Oppgave 2

You look at the sky and see dark clouds. What do you say?

📝Oppgave 3

Complete with "will" or "be going to":

Look! That car ___ crash! (evidence)

"I don't have a pen." - "I ___ lend you mine." (offer)

I ___ visit my cousins next summer. (plan)

I think she ___ win the competition. (prediction/opinion)

📝Oppgave 4

Write about your future. Use each form once:
- Will (promise or prediction)
- Going to (plan)
- Present continuous (fixed arrangement)

📝Oppgave 5

Choose the best future form and explain why:

a) "What are your summer plans?" - "We __ (travel) to Greece."
b) "Someone is at the door." - "I _ (open) it."
c) "Why did you buy that paint?" - "I _ (paint) my room."
d) "Do you think Norway __ (win) the match?"

We ___ (travel) to Greece.

I ___ (open) it.

I ___ (paint) my room.

Norway ___ (win)