1. Simple Future
Summer Institute June 15, 2009

2. Two Forms of the Future Tense
Will
Be Going To
Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they are used for two purposes.

3. Simple Future
Planned
Be going to
Unplanned
Will

4. Simple Future: “be going to”
We say something is going to happen when it has already been planned or decided upon.
We are going to spend our vacation in St. Thomas.
Booked plane tickets
Made a hotel reservation
Searched for ground transportation
I am going to go to the dentist next Tuesday.
Made an appointment
Excused yourself from work or school

5. Forming the Simple Future: “ be going to”
(S +be +going to +verb +object)
Subject be
going to
Main Verb I am
study for precalculus.
We/they
are
spend time together.
You
attend the ceremony.
She/he/it is
eat breakfast at Denny’s.

6. Simple Future Negative: “be going to”
To form the negative using “be going to” add ‘not’ between ‘be’ and ‘going to’.
I am not going to go to lunch with you.
He is not going to do the assignment.
(Subject +be +not +going to +object)

7. Simple Future Question: “be going to”
To form a question using “be going to” invert the subject and ‘be’.
Example: Is she going to visit the doctor?
Example: Are you going to have lunch with me?
(Be + subject + going to +main verb +object)

8. Simple Future: “will”
We usually use will as a response to an unplanned situation or during a conversation.
A. I love these cookies! How did you make them?
A. I will send you the recipe when I get home.
B. Sandra can I talk to you in my office?
B. Yes, Cathy I will be there right away.

9. Simple Future: “will”
Another way in which you can use ‘will’ is to make a promise.
Don't worry, I will be careful.
I will call you when I arrive.
I will see you next week.

10. Forming the Simple Future: “will”
(S +will + main verb +object)
Subject
Auxiliary Verb
Main Verb
Object I
will
open
the door.
You
drive
on our way back.
She/he be
there right away.
We/they
leave
soon.

11. Simple Future Negative: “will not” or “won’t”
To form the negative of the simple future using ‘will’, add ‘not’ between the auxiliary will and the main verb.
I will not do your homework for you.
I won't do all the housework myself!

12. Simple Future Question: “will”
To form a question using the simple present ‘will’ invert the position of the subject and the auxiliary will.
Will you be back before the class is over?
Will she finish the homework on time?
(Will +subject +main verb +object)

13. Final Remarks
Although “be going to” and “will” are often used for different circumstances they both express the same tense.
For this reason, they are sometimes used interchangeably.
The use of the full form or their contractions will depend on the context.

14. Blogging about the Presentations: Using the Future Tense
As I watched myself present I noticed that...
When I saw the video of the presentation I realized that...
There are a series of things I can do to improve in future presentations.
To do a better job in future presentations I’m gonna...
In the future, I am going to...
For a next presentation, I will...

15. Some Ideas for the Blogging Entry
Refer to the graphics in the PowerPoint
Speak louder
Prepare myself better
Rehearse with my group
Talk slower
Practice my pronunciation
Not read everything