Talking about the future
In English, we can use will, be going to, the present simple or present continuous tenses, phrases like about to, and verbs like aim and plan – all to talk about the future.
Join Catherine and Finn as they explain the various ways of discussing the future. And hear about Finn’s plans to cook a delicious curry for his dinner. Then try the quiz to see how much you’ve learnt.
Catherine
Hello, and welcome to 6 Minute Grammar with me, Catherine.
Finn
And me, Finn. Hello.
Catherine
And today we’re talking about six different ways of talking about the future – like will and be going to.
Finn
We can also use the present simple and continuous tenses, and we’re going to share a couple of other ways as well…
Catherine
That’s right and as usual, there’ll be a quiz at the end to test what you’ve learned. So let’s get started. First, we’ll look at will and be going to. They’re both very common, and a lot of the time they’re used in a similar way, to talk about predictions. But not always. So – let’s hear an example of be going to – Finn, a question for you: what’s for dinner tonight?
Finn
Hmmm… I’m going to cook my favourite meal.
Catherine
I know what that is…
Finn
That’s curry! I’ve got all the ingredients already. And you, Catherine? What about you?
Catherine
Well, I haven’t made any plans – I’ll probably just have something simple… like tomato soup.
Finn
Ooh, sounds yummy.
Catherine
Yeah. So – Finn is going to cook curry. He already knew his plan at the time of speaking. It’s his intention – or his plan – to cook curry. And we often use be going to in this way.
Finn
And Catherine – what did you say about tomato soup, again?
Catherine
I said… I’ll probably have something simple… like tomato soup.
Finn
Yes, so Catherine used I’ll or will – I will – but she made her decision at the time of speaking – so this is one of the main differences between will and going to. Ok, so we have four more ways of talking about the future to look at….
Catherine
We do and we have to talk some more about your curry, Finn, at this point. So are you eating alone?
Finn
No, I’m eating with a couple of friends.
Catherine
Aha! Now this time my question and Finn’s answer are both in the present continuous – but we’re using the present continuous to talk about the future. We use the present continuous for arrangements like this – so Finn has arranged to eat with friends.
Finn
Yes. I’m eating with friends. And you know, we could also use be going to for this as well, but not will. So I could say: I’m going to eat with a couple of friends.
Catherine
So that’s three ways, and now there’s another present tense we can use to talk about the future and that’s the present simple. So curry time again, Finn.
Finn
Let’s talk about curry!
Catherine
When are your friends coming to dinner?
Finn
Well, my friends are passing through London on a very tight schedule. So they arrive at the station at 5pm, we eat dinner at 6pm, and they leave on a plane at 9pm the same night!
Catherine
How exciting! And that conveniently demonstrates why we use the present simple for future events – we use it to talk about timetables. Your friends arrive at the station at 5pm, we eat dinner at 6pm, and they leave on a plane at 9pm the same night. And these are all things that are planned to happen at specific times.
Finn
Right. Now Catherine, it’s your turn to use our next form – be about to – to talk about your dinner plans, OK?
Catherine
Yes. I’m about to say something about tomato soup.
Finn
OK, you’re about to. OK, very good, very clever.
Catherine
Yes. So we use be about to, for things in the very near future. And be about to is followed by the base form of a verb. So the film is about to start. Or the train is about to leave, things like that.
Finn
Great! So we’ve now looked at five ways of talking about the future. What about the sixth?
Catherine
Well, the sixth way isn’t actually a tense, it’s not even a phrase – it’s just a group of normal everyday verbs. And now it’s time to bring in Callum who’s been waiting patiently. Listen carefully for the verbs that Callum uses to talk about the future.
Callum
I plan to do evening classes in coding.
I aim to finish all the preparation by 8pm.
Wang Chun intends to move to Berlin.
We’ve arranged to meet in person next spring.
She decided to take the money.
Catherine
Good. So we heard plan, aim, intend, arrange and decide. In fact, lots of verbs can be used like this – followed by to and the base form of a verb – to talk about the future. So listen out for them! Oh, and thank you Callum.
Callum
You’re welcome.
IDENT
6 Minute Grammar, from BBC Learning English.
Catherine
And now, it’s quiz time! Question one. If you’ve already made a plan to visit France, which is better? a) I will travel to France this year or b) I’m going to travel to France this year?
Finn
The answer is b) I’m going to travel to France this year. Number two. Which is correct? a) We’re about to get married next summer or b) We plan to get married next summer.
Catherine
And the correct answer is b) We plan to get married next summer.
Finn
And that’s the end of the quiz. Well done if you got all those right.
Catherine
Well done indeed and it’s also the end of the show. There’s more about this on our website at www.bbc-story.com. Join us again for more 6 Minute Grammar.
Both
Bye!