Unit

19 Present tenses (I am doing / I do) for the future

A Present continuous (I am doing) with a future meaning

This is Ben’s diary for next week.

He is playing tennis on Monday afternoon.
He is going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.
He is meeting Kate on Friday.
In all these examples, Ben has already decided and
arranged to do these things.

I’m doing something (tomorrow etc.) = I have already decided and arranged to do it:
a: What are you doing on Saturday evening? (not What do you do)
b: I’m going to the cinema. (not I go)
a: What time is Katherine arriving tomorrow?
b: Half past ten. We’re meeting her at the station.
I’m not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
Steve isn’t playing football next Saturday. He’s hurt his leg.
We do not normally use will to talk about what we have arranged to do:
What are you doing tonight? (not What will you do)
Alex is getting married next month. (not will get)
We also use the present continuous for an action just before you start to do it. This happens
especially with verbs of movement (go/come/leave etc.):
I’m tired. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight. (not I go to bed now)
‘Tina, are you ready yet?’ ‘Yes, I’m coming.’ (not I come)

B Present simple (I do) with a future meaning

We use the present simple when we talk about timetables and programmes (for example, transport
or cinema times):
I have to go. My train leaves at 11.30.
What time does the film start tonight?
The meeting is at nine o’clock tomorrow.
You can use the present simple to talk about people if their plans are fixed like a timetable:
I start my new job on Monday.
What time do you finish work tomorrow?
But the continuous is more usual for other personal arrangements:
What time are you meeting Kate tomorrow? (not do you meet)
Compare:

Present continuous Present simple

What time are you arriving? What time does the train arrive?
I’m going to the cinema this evening. The film starts at 8.15.

When you talk about appointments, lessons, exams etc., you can use I have or I’ve got:
I have an exam next week. or I’ve got an exam next week.

38 I’m going to ➜ Units 20, 23 will [Link]/LinguaLIB

➜ Units 21–22 Present simple after when and if ➜ Unit 25
[Link]/lingualib
 Unit
Exercises 19
19.1 Ask Anna about her holiday plans.

1 (where / go?) Where are you going? Scotland. ANNA

2 (how long / go for?) Ten days.

3 (when / leave?) Next Friday.
4 (go / alone?) No, with a friend.
5 (travel / by car?) No, by train.
6 (where / stay?) In a hotel.

19.2 Complete the sentences.

1 Steve isn’t playing (not / play) football on Saturday. He’s hurt his leg.
2 (We / have) a party next week. We’ve invited all our friends.
3 (I / not / work) tomorrow. It’s a public holiday.
4 (I / leave) now. I’ve come to say goodbye.
5 ‘What time (you / go) out this evening?’ ‘Seven o’clock.’
6 (Laura / not / come) to the party tomorrow. She isn’t well.
7 I love New York. (I / go) there soon.
8 Ben can’t meet us on Monday. (He / work) late.

19.3 Have you arranged to do anything at these times? Write sentences about yourself.
1 (this evening) I’m not doing anything this evening.
2 (tomorrow morning) I
3 (tomorrow evening) I
4 (next Sunday) I
5 (another day or time)

19.4 Complete the sentences. Use the present continuous or present simple.
1 a: Tina, are you ready yet?
b: Yes, I’m coming (I / come).
2 a: (you / go) to Sam’s party on Saturday?
b: No, I haven’t been invited.
3 a: Has Jack moved into his new apartment yet?
b: Not yet, but (he / move) soon – probably at the end of the month.
4 a: (I / go) to a concert tonight.
b: That’s nice. What time (it / start)?
5 a: Have you seen Chris recently?
b: No, but (we / meet) for lunch next week.
6 a: (you / do) anything tomorrow morning?
b: No, I’m free. Why?
7 a: When (this term / end)?
b: Next Friday. And next term (start) four weeks after that.
8 a: (We / go) to a wedding at the weekend.
b: Really? (Who / get) married?
9 a: There’s football on TV later tonight. (you / watch) it?
b: No, I’m not interested.
10 a: What time is your train tomorrow?
b: It (leave) at 9.35 and (arrive) at 12.47.
11 a: I’d like to go and see the exhibition at the museum. How long is it on for?
b: (It / finish) next week.
12 a: Do you need the car this evening?
b: No, you can have it. (I / not / use) it.

➜ Additional exercises 10–13 (pages 308–10) [Link]/LinguaLIB 39

[Link]/lingualib
Unit
20 I’m going to (do)
A I am going to do something = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:
‘Are you going to eat anything?’ ‘No, I’m not hungry.’
a: I hear Sarah won the lottery. What is she going to do with the money?
b: She’s going to buy a new car.
I’m just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me?
This cheese smells horrible. I’m not going to eat it.

B I am doing and I am going to do

I am doing = it is already fixed or arranged. For example, you have arranged to go somewhere
or meet somebody:
I’m leaving next week. I’ve booked my flight.
What time are you meeting Emily this evening?
I am going to do something = I’ve decided to do it. Maybe I’ve arranged to do it, maybe not.
a: Your shoes are dirty.
b: Yes, I know. I’m going to clean them.
(= I’ve decided to clean them, but I haven’t arranged this with anybody)
I don’t want to stay here. Tomorrow I’m going to look for somewhere else to stay.
Compare:
I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow. (= I don’t know my schedule or plans)
I don’t know what I’m going to do about the problem. (= I haven’t decided what to do)
Often the difference is small and either form is possible.

C You can also say that ‘something is going to happen’ in the future. For example:

The man isn’t looking where he is going.

He is going to walk into the wall.
When we say that ‘something is going to happen’,
the situation now makes this clear.
The man is walking towards the wall now, so we
can see that he is going to walk into it.

going to

now future

Some more examples:

Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain. (we can see the clouds now)
I feel terrible. I think I’m going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)
The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

D I was going to do something = I intended to do it, but didn’t do it:

We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to drive instead.
I was just going to cross the road when somebody shouted ‘Stop!’
You can say that ‘something was going to happen’ (but didn’t happen):
I thought it was going to rain, but it didn’t.

40 I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19A I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23

[Link]/LinguaLIB
[Link]/lingualib
 Unit
Exercises 20
20.1 Write questions with going to.
1 Your friend has won some money. You ask:
(what / do?) What are you going to do with it?
2 Your friend is going to a wedding next week. You ask:
(what / wear?)
3 Your friend has just bought a new table. You ask:
(where / put?)
4 Your friend has decided to have a party. You ask:
(who / invite?)
5 Your friend has bought some fish for dinner. You ask:
(how / cook?)

20.2 Complete the sentences using I’m going to … / I’m not going to … . Choose from:
complain learn run say try wash not/accept not/eat not/tell

1 This cheese smells horrible. I’m not going to eat it.

2 I haven’t been trying hard enough. From now on harder.
3 I have to make a speech tomorrow, but I don’t know what .
4 ‘The car is very dirty.’ ‘I know. it.’
5 I’ve been offered a job, but it. The pay is too low.
6 a language, but I haven’t decided yet which one.
7 One day in a marathon. It’s my ambition.
8 The food in this restaurant is awful. .
9 Ben doesn’t need to know what happened, so him.

20.3 What is going to happen in these situations? Use the words in brackets.
1 There are a lot of black clouds in the sky.
(rain) It’s going to rain.
2 It is 8.30. Tom is leaving home. He has to be at work at 8.45, but the journey takes 30 minutes.
(late) He
3 There is a hole in the bottom of the boat. A lot of water is coming in through the hole.
(sink) The boat
4 Amy and Ben are driving. The tank is nearly empty. It’s a long way to the nearest petrol station.
(run out) They
5 Sarah’s car was badly damaged in an accident. Now it has to be repaired.
(cost a lot) It to repair the car.

20.4 Complete the sentences with was/were going to. Choose from:
be buy give up phone play say travel

1 We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car instead.

2 I some new clothes yesterday, but I didn’t have time to
go to the shops.
3 Tom and I tennis last week, but he’d hurt his knee and had
to cancel.
4 I Jane, but I sent her an email instead.
5 I thought the exam hard, but it was easier than I expected.
6 Peter his job, but in the end he decided to stay where
he was.
7 I’m sorry I interrupted you. What you ?

[Link]/LinguaLIB 41
[Link]/lingualib
Unit
21 will and shall 1
A We use I’ll … (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’,
we announce our decision:
Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.
‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’
‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’
We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:
I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)
We often use I think I’ll … / I don’t think I’ll … :
I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat.
I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.
In spoken English will not is usually won’t:
I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long)

B We often use I’ll in these situations:

Offering to do something I’ll help you.

That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it. (not I help)
Agreeing to do something
a: Can you give Tom this book?
b: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday.
I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.

The car won’t start.

We use won’t to say that somebody refuses to do something:
I’ve tried to give her advice, but she won’t listen.
The car won’t start. (= the car ‘refuses’ to start)
Will you (do something)? = please do it:
Will you please turn the music down? It’s too loud.

C We do not use will to talk about what has been decided or arranged before:
I’m going on holiday next Saturday. (not I’ll go)
Compare:
I’m meeting Kate tomorrow morning. (decided before)
a: I’ll meet you at half past ten, OK?
b: Fine. See you then. (decided now)

D We use shall mostly in the questions shall I … ? / shall we … ?

We use shall I … ? / shall we … ? to ask if it’s OK to do something or to ask for a suggestion:
Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open it?)
I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?)
‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
‘Where shall we have lunch?’ ‘Let’s go to Marino’s.’
Compare shall I … ? and will you … ? :
Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)

I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19 will and shall 2 ➜ Unit 22 I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23
42 American English ➜ Appendix 7 [Link]/LinguaLIB
[Link]/lingualib
 Unit
Exercises 21
21.1 Complete the sentences with I’ll + a suitable verb.
1 ‘How are you going to get home?’ ‘I think I’ll take a taxi.’
2 ‘It’s cold in this room.’ ‘Is it? on the heating then.’
3 ‘Are you free next Friday?’ ‘Let me see. my diary.’
4 ‘Shall I do the washing-up?’ ‘No, it’s all right. it later.’
5 ‘I don’t know how to use this phone.’ ‘OK, you.’
6 ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘ coffee, please.’
7 ‘Are you coming with us?’ ‘No, I think here.’
8 ‘Can you finish this report today?’ ‘Well, , but I can’t promise.’

21.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think I’ll … or I don’t think I’ll … .
1 It’s a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it. You say:
It’s cold with the window open. I think I’ll close it.
2 You are feeling tired and it’s getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say:
I’m tired, so . Goodnight!
3 The weather is nice and you need some exercise. You decide to go for a walk. You say:
It’s a lovely morning. . Do you want to come too?
4 You were going to have lunch. Now you decide you don’t want to eat anything. You say:
I don’t feel hungry any more. lunch.
5 You planned to go swimming today. Now you decide not to go. You say:
I’ve got a lot to do, so today.

21.3 Which is correct?

1 ‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I call / I’ll call him now.’ (I’ll call is correct)
2 I can’t meet you tomorrow morning. I’m playing / I’ll play tennis. (I’m playing is correct)
3 ‘I meet / I’ll meet you outside the hotel at 10.30, OK?’ ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
4 ‘Please don’t go yet.’ ‘OK, I’m staying / I’ll stay a little longer, but I have to go soon.’
5 I’m having / I’ll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come.
6 ‘Remember to lock the door when you go out.’ ‘OK. I don’t forget / I won’t forget.’
7 ‘Do you have any plans for the weekend?’ ‘Yes, we’re going / we’ll go to a wedding.’
8 ‘Are you doing / Will you do anything tomorrow evening?’ ‘No, I’m free. Why?’
9 ‘Do you do / Will you do something for me?’ ‘It depends. What do you want me to do?’
10 ‘Do you go / Will you go to work by car?’ ‘Not usually. I prefer to walk.’
11 I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn’t tell / won’t tell me.
12 I don’t know if I can win the race tomorrow, but I’m doing / I’ll do my best.

21.4 What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I … ? or shall we … ?
1 You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don’t know what.
You say: What shall we do this evening? Do you want to go somewhere?
2 You and a friend are going on holiday together, but you have to decide where.
You ask your friend: ?
3 You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not.
You ask a friend for advice: ? What do you think?
4 You and a friend are going out. You have to decide whether to get a taxi or to walk.
You ask your friend: or ?
5 It’s Helen’s birthday soon. You want to give her a present, but what?
You ask a friend: What ? Any ideas?
6 You’re meeting a friend tomorrow, but you have to decide what time.
You say: ? Is 10.30 OK for you?

➜ Additional exercises 10–13 (pages 308–10) [Link]/LinguaLIB 43

[Link]/lingualib
Unit
23 I will and I’m going to
A Future actions
Compare will and (be) going to:
Sarah is talking to Helen: will (We’ll invite …)

Let’s have a party. That’s a great idea. We use will (We’ll invite …) to announce a
We’ll invite lots of people. new decision. The party is a new idea.

decision
now

We’ll …

SARAH HELEN past now future

Later that day, Helen meets Max: (be) going to (We’re going to invite …)
Sarah and I have decided to have a party. We use (be) going to when we have
We’re going to invite lots of people. already decided to do something.
Helen had already decided to invite lots of
people before she spoke to Max.
decision
before

We’re going to …
HELEN MAX
past now future

Compare:
‘Gary has been trying to contact you.’ ‘Has he? OK, I’ll call him.’
‘Gary has been trying to contact you.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to call him.’
‘Anna is in hospital.’ ‘Really? I didn’t know. I’ll go and visit her.’
‘Anna is in hospital.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to visit her this evening.’

B Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

We use both will and going to for future happenings and situations. So you can say:
I think the weather will be nice later. or
I think the weather is going to be nice later.
Those shoes are well-made. They’ll last a long time. or
Those shoes are well-made. They’re going to last a long time.
When we say something is going to happen, we believe this because of the situation now. What is
happening now shows that something is going to happen in the future. For example:
Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain. (not it will rain)
(we can see that it is going to rain – the black clouds are in the sky now)
Compare:
We’re going to be late. The meeting starts in five minutes and it takes 15 minutes to get there.
(it is clear now that we don’t have enough time to get there)
Jane will be late for the meeting. She’s always late.
(I believe this because I know what Jane is like)

46 I’m going to ➜ Unit 20 will ➜ Units 21–22 The future ➜ Appendix 3

[Link]/LinguaLIB
[Link]/lingualib
 Unit
Exercises 23
23.1 Complete the sentences using will (’ll) or (be) going to.
1 a: Why are you turning on the TV?
b: I’m going to watch the news. (I / watch)
2 a: I forgot my wallet. I don’t have any money.
b: Not to worry. you some. (I / lend)
3 a: Why are you filling that bucket with water?
b: the car. (I / wash)
4 a: I don’t know how to use the washing machine.
b: It’s easy. you. (I / show)
5 a: I’ve decided to paint this room.
b: That’s nice. What colour it? (you / paint)
6 a: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
b: Yes, some things for dinner tonight. (I / buy)
7 a: What would you like to eat?
b: a pizza, please. (I / have)
8 a: This food doesn’t taste very good, does it?
b: No, it’s horrible. it. (I / not / finish)
9 a: Tom is starting an evening class next month.
b: Is he? What ? (he / study)
10 a: Did you call Lisa?
b: Oh, no. I completely forgot. her now. (I / call)
11 a: Has Dan decided what to do when he leaves school?
b: Yes. Everything is planned.
First a holiday for a few weeks. (he / have)
Then a management training course. (he / do)
23.2 Read the situations and complete the sentences using will (’ll) or (be) going to.
1 You want some coffee. You go to the kitchen to make some.
You say (to your friend): I’m going to make some coffee. Would you like some?
2 You’re speaking to a friend and arranging to meet. You suggest a time and place.
You say: you at 10.30 in the hotel lobby, OK? (I/see)
3 You have decided to sell your car. You tell a friend of yours.
You say: I don’t need my car any more. it. (I/sell)
4 Your friend is worried because she has lost her driving licence.
You say: Don’t worry. I’m sure it. (you/find)
5a You have an old camera that is broken. You have decided to throw it away. You tell your friend.
You say: This camera is broken. it away. (I/throw)
5b Your friend loves and collects old cameras. He doesn’t want you to throw it away.
He says: Don’t throw it away! it. (I/have)
6a Joe has to go to the airport tomorrow. He doesn’t know how to get there. Amy offers to take him.
Amy says: Don’t worry about getting to the airport, Joe. you. (I/take)
6b Later that day, Paul offers to take Joe to the airport. Joe tells him that it’s not necessary.
Joe says: Thanks, Paul, but me. (Amy/take)
23.3 Which goes with which?
1 Why don’t you come to the party with us? a He’ll get what he wants. 1 f
2 That ceiling looks dangerous. b He probably won’t remember me. 2
3 He’s looking very tired. c It’s going to be a nice day. 3
4 This table is too big. d It looks as if it’s going to fall down. 4
5 The weather forecast is good. e It’s going to be 200 metres high. 5
6 Jack is very determined. f You’ll enjoy it. 6
7 They are building a new skyscraper here. g I don’t think it will fit in the room. 7
8 I haven’t seen Ben for ages. h I think he’s going to fall asleep. 8

➜ Additional exercises 10–13 (pages 308–10) [Link]/LinguaLIB 47

[Link]/lingualib