1. Review of tenses versus time.

Look at these sentences from the letter in READING. Do they refer to finished past, from past until now, now or the future? Have a look at the letter again if you need to.

2. Talking about the future.

Here are some sentences from the letter. Put them in the correct box.

For example:

The builder says the house won't move in a cyclone. = Prediction.

For more information about future forms see the Grammar Reference.

3. Future forms.

Choose the correct analysis.

4. Referring to the future.

Different future forms
In English, different future forms express the different attitudes of the speaker. Compare the following examples:

I think I will go to the cinema.
Because the speaker uses will with I think, we know that this is an idea, or a prediction.

I'm going to go to the cinema.
Here, the speaker uses be going to + verb, and is talking about a plan, something more definite.

I'm going to the cinema with Charley.
Here, the speaker uses the present continuous form. This means that the speaker has a definite plan, probably already organised with someone else. 

Also, remember that the same form can have different meanings. Usually the intended meaning is made clear by the context; that is, by what else is said. Compare these examples using will:

I think it will rain. That's what it said on the weather report.
This is a prediction.

I will send you some photos. You can look at them and decide which ones you want to use.
This is a decision or promise.

We use  be + infinitive (with to) to talk about a fixed plan, something scheduled to happen, something already organised and formalised. For example:
The roof is to go on.
The electrician is to come on Friday.

These sentences all refer to the future. Are the alternatives possible or not possible?

1. Can you stop at the supermarket and get some beer? Frank and Nancy _________.

 

2. A: Have you heard the news? Wanda's just had a baby!
B: _________.

 

3. Let's go to the beach this weekend. _________.

 

4. A: Why is the hotel closed now?
B: _________.

 

5. A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: _________.

 

6. No, I can't go to Madrid with you this weekend. _________.

 

7. Don't worry. _________.

 

8. Oh dear! Look at those big black clouds. Get your umbrella, Priscilla. _________.

 

9. I've been phoning my family a lot lately. _________.

 

10. A: Listen, Phil. I've decided what to do about that problem.
B: _________?

5. Verb forms.

Complete the original email by putting the verbs in brackets in the correct form.