Chapter 8: Other ways of referring

to Future Time

Form

Function

Other ways of referring to future time

• The simple present tense

• The continuous present tense

• Be going + to-infinitive

• Be about + to-infinitive

• Be on the point of + -ing form

The present simple tense

• We use the Present Simple to discuss future events that are based on timetables, schedules, or programs (for public transport, cinemas, company working hours, etc.).

• The verbs leave, arrive, come, return, begin, start, end, finish, open, and close are often used in the Present Simple to express scheduled future events.

Present simple to express future• The bank opens at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

(Can’t wait that long?)

• The next test week begins on 23 January.

• The Orient Express departs next Monday for Bangkok and Singapore.

The present continuous tense • The present continuous can refer to a future happening

anticipated or arranged at the present. Its basic meaning is an action that will happen in the near future according to a present arrangement or plan.

• As a future form, the present continuous is often used with verbs of movement from one place to another such as go, come, leave, start, arrive, etc, though also applicable to other dynamic verbs, eg:

• We’re leaving on Friday.We’re moving to a different hotel the day after tomorrow.I’m spending my holidays in Switzerland this year.

• A: Any plans for tomorrow?

• B: I’m staying home. I’ve got loads of work to do.

• A: I am buying that used car tomorrow morning! My mind is made up.

• B: Oh well, it's your money. Ugly car, though.

• A: So, are you coming with me to pick it up?

• B: No way. I’m spending the day at the computer.

Be going + to infinitive• This construction is usually used to express two meanings:

I. intention and II. Prediction

be going to form implies a premeditated intention

I. A: Why are you taking down all the pictures?B: I’m going to repaper the room.

In its second use, be going to can express the speaker’s feeling of certainty or prediction. The time is usually not mentioned, but the action is expected to happen in the near or immediate future.

II. Oh, not again! I’m going to be lateLook at these black clouds ----there’s going to be a storm.

Compare:• We are seeing a musical at the theatre next week.

(arranged in the present = We’ve got the tickets.) • We are going to see a musical sometime next

week. (perhaps not arranged yet, the focus is on our intention)

• I’m staying in tonight. I’ve got loads of work to do. (there is no suggestion that the speaker wants to stay in; but it is anticipated or arranged )

• I’m going to stay in tonight. (focus on intention)

Task 1Complete the dialogue with the verbs given below. Use present

simple, present continuous, be going + to infinitive:

come, be, finish, have, meet 2x, pick up, work

The people from the head Office 1)………… on Friday.

2) I………..them at 9:30. So 3) I……..not available at all that day.

Well, let’s have a meeting earlier then. The sale conference 4)………..at eleven o’clock, doesn’t it?

Yep, but we need John’s annual figures for the meeting. John, have you got them? Whoops, 5) I ……..on them next week, sorry.

Right. Um, that’s what you said last week. 6) I………lunch with sales managers. Can we meet later, John?

Yes, but 7) I……….children after school, as I always do when the nanny is away. Is that OK?

5. I suppose so. So, 8) we………at three o’clock, in the board room.

Task 1 AnswersThe people from the head Office 1) are coming on Friday. 2) I am

meeting / am going to meet them at 9:30. So 3) I’m not / ‘m not going to be available at all that day.

Well, let’s have our meeting earlier then. The sales conference 4) finishes at eleven o’clock, doesn’t it?

Yep, but we need John’s annual figures for the meeting. John, have you got them? Whoops, 5) I’m going to work on them next week, sorry.

Right. Um, that’s what you said last week. 6)I am having lunch with sales managers, but can we meet later today, John?

Yes, but 7) I’m picking up the children after school, as I always do when the nanny is away. Is that OK?

5. I suppose so. So, 8) we are going to meet / are meeting at three o’clock, in the boardroom, right?

Be + going to + infinitive

Three clever men and one wise man are walking in the desert, when they find the bleached skeleton of a lion. The first clever man says, "I can rebuild the skeleton," and does so. The second clever man says, "I can rebuild the muscles and organs," and does so. The third clever man says, "I can breathe the spirit of life back into the body," and, amazingly, he does so.

The wise man says, "Excuse me, but I am going to climb this tree."

Finally:

• What does a blonde say when she sees a banana skin lying just a few metres in front of her?

- Oh dear! I ……….(slip) !

Be about + to infinitive / be on the point of + ing form

• be about + infinitive • be on the point of + ing form

- to express the immediate future. It means that something will happen without delay. (Note: NOT about to has a completely different meaning!)

They are about to start.

They are on the point of starting.

I'm about to switch this off.

I’m on the point of switching this off.

THE END

Now you are on the point of starting your homework for next week!