English grammar for future forms.
How to use future forms when you speak English. Today, I’m gonna tell you how to use future forms like will + infinitive and be going to. And I’ll explain you what’s the difference between these two.
Be going to + infinitive
Be going to + infinitive is used when you have already decided something to so and make a prediction for future. And it’s also used for your future plans.
When you have already decided something to do, you can say “ I am going to buy a car. “
When you say like that, you have already decided which car you are going to buy that is not an instant decision. You have already planned what you do.
When you use be going to + infinitive for making a prediction, you have some evidence that something is going to happen or you can see things that the reason why something happens.
For example :
if you can see dark clouds in the sky, you predict that it’s probably going to rain so you can say “ it’s going to rain. “
When you see a football game and the game will end soon and you see the score that is team A 3-1 team B, so you predict team A is going to win because the game is almost end and it’s impossible that team B beats team A on that situation.
So, you can say “ Team A is going to win. “ from what you see.
Use present continuous as future arrangements.
You can use be + verb + ing for future arrangements. And there is very little difference between be going to + infinitive and be + verb + ing.
Be going to shows that you have made a decision.
For example: you’re going to get married next year that means you have made the decision to get married.
And the present continuous emphasizes that you have made the arrangements.
For example: you’re getting married on July 5th that means you’re arranging about your wedding right now. And you have decided when it happens.
Will + infinitive
Will + infinitive is used for instant decisions, promises, offers, future facts, predictions.
When you can use will + infinitive for instant decision.
For example: if you are in a coffee shop and you’ve decided what you will order, you can say “ I’ll have a long black coffee. “ for an instant decision.
When you can use will + infinitive for promises.
If you promise to tell something to somebody, you will say “ I will let you know. “
For example:
A: “ There is a party this weekend, will you come? “
B: “ I’ll come. “ ( instant decision )
A: “ If you’re coming, please let me know. “
B: ” I will let you know if I come. “ ( promise )
A: “ I will pick your father up when he arrived at the airport. ( offer )
A: “ I’m thinking about going to Melbourne for traveling. “
B: “ You will love Melbourne instantly. “ ( prediction )
A: ” I’ll come to the party at latest 7:00. “ ( future fact )
How to use shall.
Shall is also used for offering and suggestion.
For example: “ Shall I help you with your work? “ ( offer )
“ Shall we eat out tomorrow? ( suggestion )
Future forms are really useful when you travel overseas that are English spoken country. I had been in Melbourne before I came Auckland and I went lots of place in the city. Here’s where you have to go in Melbourne. If you are interested in traveling to Melbourne please check it out.
I hope this article helps you improve your English skills. And I highly recommend reading How to use present simple and continuous.
If you find anything that I misunderstood about future forms please let me know.
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