Expressing Future – A2+/B1
1. Overview: Four Future Forms
1. WILL
Form: will + base verb
Uses:
Predictions (I think…, I’m sure…, probably…)
Decisions made at the moment of speaking
Offers & promises
Examples:
I think it will rain. (prediction)
I’m thirsty — I will buy some water. (decision now)
Don’t worry, I will help you. (offer/promise)
2. GOING TO
Form: am/is/are + going to + base verb
Uses:
Plans/intentions (decided before speaking)
Predictions based on present evidence
Examples:
I’m going to study tonight. (plan)
Look at the clouds! It’s going to rain. (evidence)
3. PRESENT CONTINUOUS for the Future
Form: am/is/are + verb-ing
Use:
Arrangements: future plans already organised (with time, place,
person)
Examples:
I’m meeting my boss at 3 p.m.
We’re having dinner with friends this evening.
4. PRESENT SIMPLE for the Future
Use:
Timetables & schedules (public events that YOU cannot change)
Examples:
The train leaves at 18:40.
The class starts at 9:00.
PART A – Controlled Practice
Exercise 1: Choose the correct option
(Will / Going to / Present Continuous / Present Simple)
1. The bus (leaves / is leaving) at 07:15 tomorrow.
2. I think Portugal (will win / is going to win) the match.
3. Look at those dark clouds — it (will rain / is going to rain).
4. We (are meeting / meet) Carla at 8 p.m.
5. I’m tired. I (will go / am going to go) to bed now.
6. She (is going to study / studies) English this afternoon — it’s her
plan.
7. The museum (opens / is opening) at 10 a.m.
8. They (are flying / will fly) to Rome next Friday — tickets booked.
Exercise 2: Match the future form to the
use
A. WILL
B. GOING TO
C. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
D. PRESENT SIMPLE
1. Timetables and schedules → ___
2. Plans already organised → ___
3. Predictions with evidence → ___
4. Instant decisions → ___
Exercise 3: Complete with WILL or GOING
TO
1. A: I dropped my pen!
B: Don’t worry, I ______ pick it up.
2. A: Why are you buying flour and eggs?
B: I ______ make a cake.
3. A: Oh no — my phone battery is 1%!
B: It ______ die soon.
4. A: I think I ______ stay home tonight. I’m tired.
PART B – Guided Practice
Exercise 4: Complete with the correct
future form
(Use will, going to, present continuous, or present simple)
1. We ______ (meet) the new intern at 10. It’s arranged.
2. The class ______ (start) at 13:00.
3. She thinks he ______ (not pass) the exam.
4. Look at him! He ______ (fall).
5. I ______ (visit) my grandparents this weekend — I already planned it.
6. A: What would you like to drink?
B: I ______ (have) a tea, please.
Exercise 5: Timetable vs. Personal Plan
Write PS (present simple) or PC (present continuous).
Use the correct form of the verb.
1. The flight ______ (depart) at 19:45. ___
2. I ______ (meet) João after work. ___
3. The shop ______ (close) at 8 p.m. ___
4. We ______ (have) lunch with our colleagues tomorrow. ___
Exercise 6: “Look out!” predictions (GOING
TO)
Use going to + verb.
1. Look at that boy! He ______ (drop) his drink.
2. Those clouds are very dark — it ______ (rain).
3. The dog is running very fast — it ______ (hit) the wall!
PART C – Freer Practice
Exercise 7: Personal Plans – Write true
sentences
Write 3 sentences with:
going to (your intentions)
present continuous (your arrangements)
present simple (a timetable you use)
Model:
I’m going to start a new series this weekend.
I’m meeting my cousin on Saturday afternoon.
My train leaves at 18:10.
Exercise 8: Mini-Dialogue Completion
Complete with a correct future form.
A: What ______ you ______ (do) tonight?
B: I ______ (meet) some friends. And you?
A: I don’t know… maybe I ______ (stay) home.
Exercise 9: Classroom Speaking Task (pair
work)
Students ask and answer using prompts:
weekend plans
arrangements for next week
predictions about the weather
your schedule tomorrow
plans for Christmas / holidays
Example questions:
What are you doing this weekend?
Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
What time does your class finish?
Exercise 10: “Fix the mistakes”
Correct the future form mistakes.
1. The train is leaving at 9 according to the timetable.
2. I think I’m going study tonight.
3. Look! She will fall!
4. We go to visit my aunt next Sunday.
5. The shop is going to close at 22:00 every day.