Life

Intermediate Unit 4b
Future forms

A: Hello! I didn’t know you’ve got two children. How old is your youngest child?
B: She’s two. She’ll be three on Sunday. We’re going to have a party. There’ll be fun
and games for the kids, and food and drink for the adults.
A: Where are you having it?
B: At the café in the park. There’s lots of space, so we’re going to have some music and
dancing as well.
A: That sounds like it’ll be great fun!
B: Would you like to come? The party starts at five.
A: Thanks but I’m going to New York that day for work. Anyway, I hope you all
have fun.
B: Thanks. We will. And give me a call when you get back from New York.
A: Yes, I will!

Presentation

Use different forms to talk about the future. When you use the present continuous to refer to the
future, use a future time expression. Otherwise the
Present continuous present continuous refers to the present.
Use the present continuous to talk about a fixed We’re having a party. (=now, at the time of speaking)
arrangement to do something at a specified time in the
We’re having a party on Sunday. (= in the future)
future. It often involves other people.
We’re having the party at the café in the park. will / won’t
We also use present continuous to ask about plans. Use will + infinitive without to for a decision made at
the time of speaking.
Where are you having the party?
A: Your friend left a message to call her back.
going to B: Right. I’ll call her now.
Use going to for a plan or intention decided before the
moment of speaking. going to or will?
We’re going to have some music and dancing. You can use going to and will to talk about a making
(=We decided this a few days ago.) decision but there is a difference:
You can say going to go but we normally say going: She left a message so I’m going to call her back.
(= decision made before speaking)
I’m going to go to New York. = I’m going to New York.
I didn’t know she’d called. I’ll call her back now.
Present continuous or going to? (=decision made at the time of speaking)
You can use either form to talk about plans and Present simple
arrangements in the future, but the present continuous
Use the present simple for an event that is timetabled
usually specifies the time:
or scheduled.
We’re having a party on Sunday.
The party starts at five. The flight leaves in the morning.
We’re going to have a party.

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 Intermediate Unit 4b
Exercises

Exercises
1 Match 1–4 with a–d.
1 We’re going (b) a arrives at ten.
2 We’re (c) b to move house next year.
3 The lorry (a) c moving house next week.
(d)
4 I’ll d meet you at your house.
2 Choose the correct forms.
1 Are they ever going to finish / Are they ever finishing building the new road?
2 The timetable for the trains from Scotland says your train arrives / is going to arrive at midday.
3 A: Has Dorothy sent us an email with the directions to her house?
B: I don’t know. I check / ’ll check my inbox.
4 You ’ll join / ’re going to join the army! When did you make that decision?
5 What time do / are your parents normally get / getting home from work?
6 Sandy and Michelle come / are coming on holiday with us. Is that OK?
3 Tick (✓) the sentences where you can use the present continuous without changing
the future meaning.
1 We’re going to speak to everyone in about an hour. ✓
2 I’m going to ask him to call you back. ✗
3 Lucinda isn’t going to arrive until three. x
4 Is she going to explain how to answer these questions? x
5 I’m going to tidy my room. I promise I will. x
6 The children are going to start school at the end of August. yes
7 Everyone is going to meet in the town square at midnight. yes
8 They’re going to rebuild that old house. x
4 Complete the emails with the will or going to form of the verbs in brackets.

Hi Mariana
'm staying
I have a conference in Brazil next month and I 1 _____________________ (stay) in Rio for three days so we can meet!
Raul

Hi Raul
'm going to travel (travel) round
Great! The problem is I’ve already planned my holiday for next month - I 2 _______________________
aren't going to return
Argentina with Lizzie and we 3 __________________________ (not return) until the 18th. Is that too late? I could
change our flights I suppose.
M.

will ask
Don’t worry. I 4 __________________ (ask) my boss about extending the trip by a couple of days. It might be possible
Raul

won't change
OK. I 5 ____________________ (not change) my flights for now. But let me know if it isn’t possible for you.
M.

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