English Grammar Handout Future tenses

Predictions
will is used to make predictions. It is also preceded by I think or by opinion words like
perhaps. A time expression is also necessary

I think it will rain tomorrow.

Perhaps she will be late.

going to is used to make predictions if a predicted event is very near or if we can see the
cause of the event

Look out! You are going to fall!

I can see you are going to have a baby. When is it due?

Future continuous is used to describe a situation in the future at a particular time.

The next week we will be playing volleyball on the beach.

Intentions
going to is used to describe a present intention (Polish translation mie zamiar)

Im going to fix the television tomorrow.

will is also used for decisions made at the time of speaking

I know, Ill get her a wallet for his birthday.

Plans and facts

Present continuous is used to describe plans and arrangements which are definite

Sorry, I cant help you. Im leaving in the morning.

Present simple is used to describe future events which we cannot control. They may be
facts, such as events in a timetable, or a law

The train to Cracow leaves at 9.55.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2
1. My brother's birthday (be) _________________on Wednesday.
2. What time_________________tomorrow?(leave/you)
3. The lesson (start) _________________in five minutes.
4. The train (leave) _________________Manchester at 7:23.
5. The next bus (come) _________________in 35 minutes.
6. Which day (open / the exhibition) _________________?
7. What day (be) _________________it tomorrow?
8. Tony _________________a friend tomorrow.(meet)
9. I think it_________________soon.(snow)
10. Perhaps I_________________New York one day.(visit)
11. What time (close / the zoo) _________________?
12. Who_________________the next World Cup? (win)
13. The plane (arrive)_________________in London at 11:45.
14. The festival (end) _________________on Sunday.
15. I'm sure you_________________ the exam next week. ( not fail)
16. The film (begin) _________________at 8 o'clock.

17. I_________________my parents at the weekend. (visit)

18. Don't touch that dog. It_________________you. (bite)
19. They_________________for a meal tonight.(come)
20. Look at those clouds, it_________________.( rain)

Exercise 3