The present continuous and the future simple
 

Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous or the future simple using the present continuous where possible.

(The be going to form could be used here instead of the present continuous, but for the sake of simplicity students are advised to use only the two tenses first mentioned.)

 

1 I am sure that I will recognize him.

2 I am seeing her tomorrow. 

3 He is playing in a tennis match on Friday.

4 She is coming back on Monday.

5 I am going/will go (instant decision) again next year.

6 We will know tonight.

7 You pay and I will owe you the money.

8 I will believe it when I see it.

9 I am having my car repainted next week.

10 I hope that you will have a good time tomorrow. 

will + infinitive and the be going to form
 

Future with intention can usually be expressed by will + infinitive or the be going to form. Very often either of these can be used, but when the intention is clearly premeditated the be going to form must be used, and when the intention is clearly unpremeditated we must list will + infinitive.

Put the verbs in brackets into one of these two forms. (In some of the examples the present continuous could be used instead of the be going to form.)

 

1 The fire has gone out! ~
So it has. I will go and get some sticks. 

2 Did you remember to book seats? ~
Oh no, I forgot. I will telephone for them now.

3 He has just been taken to hospital with a broken leg. ~
I'm sorry to hear that. I will send him some grapes.

4 I've hired a typewriter and I am going to learn to type.

5 I see that you have got a loom. Are you going to do some weaving?

will + infinitive and the be going to form

Both will you and are you going to can introduce questions about future intentions. But will you very often introduces a request or invitation. For this reason, are you going to is more usual than will you in questions about intentions, are you going to must, of course, be used when the intention is obviously premeditated. The exercise contains requests, invitations, and questions about intentions.

1 Will you open the door for me, please? ~

Yes, certainly.

2 Are you going to do the washing-up tonight? ~
No, I think it can wait till tomorrow.

3 I'm looking for my easel (fläppitaulu)

 Are you going to paint someone's portrait?. ~

4 'Will you read this passage aloud, please,' said the examiner.

5 Are you going to eat any more of this, or shall I tell the waiter to take it away?