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Expressing the Future
| Present Simple | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
| 1. In sentences that concern events that are on a definite schedule or timetable. These sentences usually contain future words. Only a few verbs are used in this way, e.g: to be, open, close, begin, start, end, finish, arrive, come, leave, return. The train LEAVES Detroit at 9pm tonight. John STARTS work next week. Tomorrow IS Thursday. |
1. In sentences that concern a definite plan or arrangement. These sentences usually contain future words, or the future is understood from the context. Mary IS TAKING her music exam next year. They can't play tennis with you tomorrow. They'RE WORKING. We'RE GOING to the theatre on Friday. |
| Be Going To | Will |
| 1. When the speaker is making a prediction based on evidence. There's a cloud in the sky. It'S GOING TO rain. 2. When the speaker already has an intention or plan. We'RE GOING TO paint our bedroom tomorrow. Jo has won the lottery. He says he'S GOING TO go to Tahiti. |
1. When the speaker is making a prediction. Tomorrow WILL BE hot and sunny. People WILL GO to Mars in the next decade. 2. When the speaker decides to do something at the time of speaking. He had no previous plan. Spontaneous. Hold on. I'LL GET a pen. We WILL SEE what we can do to help you. Maybe we'LL STAY IN and WATCH television. |