Do you know the differences between the modal verb will and the idiomatic future going to?
On this module you will explore the use of the modal verb “will” and the idiomatic future “going to” in the English Language. It is crucial that you read the presentations carefully and do the suggested activities. You will also practice the four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. It is essential that you do them in the order they appear since they will help you develop strategies to learn and use the tenses correctly, as well as improving your English level to communicate more naturally.
In the end, you will also find self-assessment exercises that will help you review this topic, or provide you with more practice.
By the end of this topic you will:
Use the modal will and the going to, to express plans, offers, promises, predictions and intentions.
In English like in Spanish, we have different ways to express decisions, intentions, or plans. In English, there are two manners to express those ideas.
Let’s have a look at the following interactive resources so that you know when and how to express plans, decisions, predictions in English correctly.
The future (plans)
Form |
|
Positive |
I’m going to start university studies next year. |
Negative |
He isn’t going to get a job this year. |
Interrogative |
Where are you going to stay? |
When using be going to use the word order:
subject + am/are/is + going to + infinitive
Use be going to talk about future plans or intentions. When the verb is go or come, we often use the present continuous.
Examples:
We’re going to (go to) Spain.
We’re going to Spain.
I’m going to come and see you later.
I’m coming to see you later.
Form |
|
Positive |
We’ll meet you at the station. |
Negative |
I won’t see you tomorrow. |
Interrogative |
Will you want a taxi? |
When there is no plan or arrangement (when we make a decision at the time of speaking), we often use will.
When using will use the word order:
subject+ will+ infinitive
Examples:
I’m tired, I think I’ll go to bed.
InfoWire.dk (2010). Fortune telling [photo]. Taken from https://flic.kr/p/yMWvFU
Are you good at predicting the future?
The future (predictions)
Use will to make predictions.
Examples:
Smartphones will organise our lives.
She’s so talented that I’m sure she’ll become famous.
We often use I think and I hope with will.
Examples:
I think John will become a doctor.
She hopes she will work in the theatre.
Use be going to to make predictions when there is present evidence.
Example:
We only have two cars. It’s going to be difficult to take eleven people tomorrow.
We use probably to make the prediction less certain. Probably usually comes after will.
Example:
The dollar will probably get stronger this year.
Probably comes after to be when we use it with be going to.
Example:
E-readers are probably going to become cheaper.
Activity 1
Do you like technology? Have you got any gadgets and devices? What do you think technology will be like in the future?
Let’s have a look!
You are going to read a text about Technology in the Future. Read it carefully and then answer the questions about it.
Once you have read the text about Technology in the Future, read the following questions and choose the right answer.
Can you imagine what life will be like in one hundred years? How will things change? What new inventions might we have?
It’s been reported that computers will continue to get smaller, faster, and store more information than ever before. If computers keep advancing, you might be able to surf the Web and do homework just by thinking about it. There will be new gaming and video systems that might allow you actually to live what you are seeing. You could experience sensations the characters in movies, and video games are feeling, in the same setting and landscape, through holographic images.
(n. d.) (2017). Hologram [photo]. Taken from https://pixabay.com/es/holograma-smartphone-ciudad-2090318/
Transportation will continue improving and will become more efficient. This could include faster automatic cars, or even cars that are like jets. Air travel will also continue to grow with faster, sleeker designs. Space travel and teleportation could also be possible. A lot of people will be pleased!
(n. d.) (2012). Train [photo]. Taken from https://pixabay.com/es/tren-bala-500-serie-jr-west-tren-1336233/
One new invention is the wrist phone, which will let you communicate faster and better, using voice commands. Someday, each one might be customised to fit the user’s arm perfectly. It might include features such as a hologram that lets you chat with your family and friends as if they were right next to you.
(n. d.) (2015). Smart watch [photo]. Taken from https://pixabay.com/es/reloj-inteligente-apple-tecnolog%C3%ADa-821559/
Another new invention are Google Glasses. These glasses let you basically wear your computer on your face. You can take pictures and videos, send messages, translate your voice, get directions, and share with others what you are seeing online at the moment.
Brown, M. (2014). Google Glass [photo]. Taken from https://flic.kr/p/oMZHy1
As you can see, many new and practical things are being invented which will make our lives more comfortable in the future.
Taken from: Amco (2017). Gear up. 6th Grade. San Diego: Amco.
Activity 2
How good are you at predicting?
Would you like to predict the future?
Do you know who Nostradamus was?
Do you like songs? Do you enjoy singing? Let’s sing a bit.
Now look for the song “When I’m Sixty-four” by The Beatles in your favourite music player. Listen to it and then answer the questions about it.
When I´m Sixty-four
The Beatles
Activity 3
(n. d.) (2017). Fortune [illustration]. Taken from https://pixabay.com/es/adivinación-futuro-magia-astrolog%C3%ADa-1989579/
Let’s suppose Nostradamus is coming to Mexico City. Predict the activities he is going to do, and the places he is going to visit. Also what kind of food he will eat. Remember to use accurate information about the city using correct tenses when writing about predictions: will and going to. Write a minimum of 200 to 250 words. Good luck!!
You can help yourself by using the following expressions to talk about the future using will:
I think I’ll, I’ll probably, I don’t think I’ll, I doubt I’ll, Maybe I’ll, I’m sure I won’t, I hope to, I’m sure.
e.g., I think I’ll get married
I doubt I’ll be famous
Activity 4
Can you imagine where you will be in ten years? What will you be doing? Are you going to be married? Have children?
Time to talk. You are going to talk about your future. Think about the following aspects: get married, have children, doing a masters, get a good job, learn to drive, become famous and live abroad.
Predict your future life. Your audio should last 2 minutes.
Good luck!
Once you have finished, grade your audio using the rubrics. Be honest, and you will have an accurate assessment of your progress.
Cereseto, P. (2014). Sesión gimnasio [photo]. Taken from https://flic.kr/p/kWdxHy
Complete the sentences using will (‘ll) or going to.
Study English for Free (n. d.). Retrieved on 2017, May 30 from http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/
Murphy, R. (2012). English Grammar in Use (2ª Ed.). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press
Celce-Murcia, M. and Larsen-Freeman, D. (1998). The Grammar Book (2ª edition). Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
Putcha, H. & Stanks, J. (2014). English in Mind Student’s Book 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Sharma, P. and Barrett, B. (2007). Blended Learning. Using technology in and beyond the language classroom. Oxford: Macmillan Books for Teachers.
Study English for Free (n. d.). Retrieved on 2017, May 9 from http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/
Thompson, A. and Martinet, A. (1986) A Practical English Grammar. (4ª edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Wilson, J., Clare, A., Eales, F. & Oakes, S. (2011). Speakout Intermediate. Pearson. England. 2011.
Technology in the Future