Talking about the future

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Talking about the future

Present simple

Timetabled events, e.g. TV programme or train departure (timetabled future)

The hair salon opens at 8 o'clock.

Present continuous

Personal arrangements (diary future)

I am getting my hair cut next week.

Going to + infinitive

Predictions (when you can see the evidence)

Look at the clouds. It's going to rain.

Decisions already made

I'm going to get my hair cut.

Will + infinitive

Predictions (based on no evidence)

I think it will rain in a few days.

Decisions made at the time of speaking (spontaneous)

I will get my hair cut.

Talk for a minute about each of the following, using the correct future tense. You may also write down one example sentence for each:

1) Your arrangements for this evening.

______________________________________________________________________
2) Your intentions for the rest of the year.

______________________________________________________________________
3) Your predictions for the planet for 2050.

______________________________________________________________________

Predictions

Predictions can be based on evidence or no evidence.

When talking about your predictions for the planet for 2050, you can use both will-future or going-to future, depending on whether there is evidence or not.

E.g.:

I think there will be flying cars in 2050.

Scientists say that Venice is going to be flooded

by 2050. (Wissenschaftler haben Beweise dafür.)

arrangement = Vereinbarung

intention = Absicht

prediction = Vorhersage

evidence = Beweis/Hinweis