General English Level 2 V 3
UNIT 05 Personal Plans TOPIC 04 My plans for the future
LANGUAGE FOCUS 04 Using 'will' and 'going to' to talk about the future

1. Going to

Eriko and Hiro write:
Eriko:
We're going to arrive in Tokyo on September 12.
(Eriko's flight is booked. She is sure about her date of arrival.)
Hiro: I'm going to study hard.
(Hiro has a test. He is sure he is going to study hard.)

We use going + infinitive to talk about definite plans for the future (when we are sure).

We're going to arrive in Tokyo on September 12.
I'm going to catch the three o'clock train.

She is
going to do her homework.
He is going to visit Spain next year.


Examples

1 Read the examples.
2 Click on the examples to listen.
3 Practise saying each example.

2. Will

Hiro, Mauro and Eriko write:
Hiro:
I think I'll probably pass the test.
Mauro:
Perhaps I'll be rich like Bill Gates!
Eriko: We'll probably get an apartment outside Tokyo…

(Hiro, Mauro and Eriko are not sure about these things.)

We use will with perhaps, maybe, probably or I think to talk about things we are not sure about in the future.

Perhaps I'll be rich like Bill Gates!
Maybe we'll win some money.
I think I'll get the job.

I'll probably pass the test.
We'll probably get an apartment outside Tokyo.


Examples

1 Read the examples.
2 Click on the examples to listen.
3 Practise saying each example.

When we talk about the future we often add a time phrase to the beginning or end of the sentence.

In two years' time I'll probably be a teacher.
Next year I'll probably go to Japan.

I'm going to wash my hair tonight.
I'm going to start my new job next week.

Now go to 05 PRACTICE My plans for the future.