the simple future: going to

Simple Futurethe future with “Be” and “Going to”

By: Hussain al-ghawi

Target Level: High-intermediate levels

Definition

A future tense is a verb form that generally

marks the event described by the verb as not

having happened yet, but expected to happen in

the future.

Simple future: Timeline

What are you going to do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whmVL8_ijv0

Conversation #1

• Hash: What will you do tonight?

• Benny: Nothing much. I’ll be at home and probably watch TV.

• Hash: Let’s go out for dinner then.

• Benny: That’s a good idea.

• Hash: I’ll pick you up at 8.

• Benny: I’ll be ready.

Conversation #2• Jetson: Can I come in Mr. Garrison?

• Garry: You are late again, Jetson!

• Jetson: I’m sorry. I got stuck in traffic.

• Garry: When will you stop making excuses and start arriving

on time for class?

• Jetson: I’ll definitely try to be on time from now on.

• Garry: Let’s hope so. Please take your seat.

Going to: positive Form structure

Subject Be Going to Base form of verb

Rest of the

sentence I Am

going to help Tonight.

You Are

HeSheIt

Is

WeAreYou

they

Subject Be not Going toBase

form of verb

Rest of the

sentence I Am

Not going to help Tonight.

You Are

HeSheIt

Is

WeAreYou

they

going to: Negative Form Structure

Going to: yes/No questionsBe Subject Going to Baes form of

verbRest of sentence

are you going to Help Tonight?Is He

Are They

Yes Subject Be

Yes I Am

He Is

They Are

No Subject Be not

NoI Am Not

He Is Not

They Are not

Wh-information Questions

Wh-words Be S Going to Base form of verb Rest of the sentence

Who Are You Going to Call Today?

Going to: Use Note

• 1. intentions and plans with “be” “going to” and “the present.”

• 1A: Use “be” “going to” to talk about intentions or future plans.

• Example:o I’m going to study hard for the test.o I’m going to visit New York in summer.

Continue

• 1B: You can also use the present continuous to talk about

intentions or future plans.

• The verbs go, come, do, have, and the verbs that are related to

travel are common with the present continuous as future.

• Example:

o When are you coming to see me?

o My flight is arriving in the afternoon. My father is meeting me

at the airport.

Continue • 1C: The present continuous often refers to more definite plans

than “be” “going to.”

• With going to the speaks often has not decided on the details.

• Present continuous as future (details Definite)

o I’m taking a 3:00 flight to Detroit. In Detroit, I’m changing planes

and flying on to Orlando.

• Be going to (details not definite)

o John: I’m going to buy a car.

o Emy: what kind are you going to get

o John: I don’t know yet

Continue • 2. Predictions with “Be” “Going to”

• Use Be going to for predictions (guesses about the future),

especially when there is evidence that something is just about to

happen.

• The present continuous is not used to make predictions

• Example:

o Be careful! That glass is going to fall!

o It is cloudy. I think it is going to rain tonight.

× It is cloudy. I think it is raining tonight. (incorrect)

The present continuous as future

Subject Be (not) Verb+ ing Rest of the sentence

He Is (not) Helping Tonight.

Be S Verb+ ing Rest of the sentence

Are They Helping Tonight?

Wh-word be S Verb+ ing

When Are They Helping

Positive/Negative form

Yes/No short questions form

Wh-information questions form

Activity: Making Predictions With Be Going To

Example:

I think they are going

to cook for dinner.

Making Predictions With Be Going To

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More predictions

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Future time expressions

Today/tonight/tomorrow This + time + period Next + time period

Today This afternoon Next Sunday

Tonight this Monday Next week

Tomorrow This summer Next year

The day after tomorrow This week Next summer

Tomorrow morning or night

This year Next month

Example: they are arriving tomorrow

Example: I’m leaving this week

Example: next week I’m visiting my family.

More Future time expressions

In + Quantity of time The + time period + after next

In five minutes The week after next

In a few days The weekend after next

In a few weeks The month after next

Ina few months The year after next

In a few years The day after next

Example: he is going to call in a few hours.

Example: we are having a test the week after next.

Reference 1. Grammar sense 2 (page 111-124)

2. http://twominenglish.com/video/107-Simple_Future_Tense_Learn_English_Grammar.html