Future: -Will -Be Going to -Present Progressive

Will "Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily at the time of speaking. "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help.  "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. "Will" is usually used in promises.

I will send you the information when I get it. I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it. Will you help me move this heavy table? Will you make dinner? I will not do your homework for you. I won't do all the housework myself! A: I'm really hungry. B: I'll make some sandwiches. A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep. B: I'll get you some coffee. A: The phone is ringing. B: I'll get it. I will call you when I arrive.

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii. She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii. A: When are we going to meet each other tonight? B: We are going to meet at 6 PM. I'm going to be an actor when I grow up. Michelle is going to begin medical school next year. They are going to drive all the way to Alaska. Who are you going to invite to the party? A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake? B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

Present Progressive Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous/Progressive to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

I am meeting some friends after work. I am not going to the party tonight. Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Isn't he coming with us tonight?

Interview Role-play Candidate 1: You are 35 years old, you have had the same job in the same company since you were 18. You have to change job because your company has gone bankrupt. You have 17 years of experience doing the job you are going for. Candidate 2: You are 35 years old. You have had 12 different jobs over the last 17 years. You only worked to save money to go travelling. Now you want to settle down and start a family. Convince the managers that you are the one for the job. Interviewers: You have 2 candidates for a role in your company (you decide the role) one candidate has a lot of work experience and the other has a lot of life experience. Interview them both and make a decision.

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Exercises:

Look at the clouds – it __________ (to rain) in a few minutes. When they __________ (to get) married in March, they __________ (to be) together for six years. You’re carrying too much. I __________ (to open) the door for you. Do you think the teacher __________ (to mark) our homework by Monday morning? When I __________ (to see) you tomorrow, I __________ (show) you my new book. After you __________ (to take) a nap, you __________ (to feel) a lot better I’m sorry but you need to stay in the office until you __________ (to finish) your work. I __________ (to buy) the cigarettes from the corner shop when it __________ (to open). I __________ (to let) you know the second the builders __________ (to finish) decorating. Before we __________ (to start) our lesson, we __________ (to have) a review. We __________ (to wait) in the shelter until the bus __________ (to come). I’m very sorry Dr. Jones __________ (not be) back in the clinic until 2pm. This summer, I __________ (to live) in Brighton for four years. I don’t think you __________ (to have) any problems when you land in Boston. The baby should be due soon, next week she __________ (to be) pregnant for nine months. By the time we get home, they __________ (to play) football for 30 minutes. In  three years I __________ (to live) in a different country. When you __________ (to get) off the train, I __________ (to wait) for you by the ticket machine. __________ (to take) your children with you to France? This time next week I __________ (ski) in Switzerland! Now I __________ (to check) my answers.