🎯
Learning Objectives

What you will learn in this lesson

1
Distinguish future forms

Understand when to use "will", "be going to", and present continuous for future events

2
Express predictions and plans

Use "will" for spontaneous decisions and predictions, "be going to" for planned intentions

3
Talk about scheduled events

Use present continuous to describe fixed arrangements in the future

4
Apply in professional situations

Discuss meetings, deadlines, and business plans using appropriate future forms

📚
Grammar Explanation

Understanding the three main ways to talk about the future

📘 Will (Future Simple)

Formation: Subject + will + base verb
Negative: Subject + will not (won't) + base verb
Question: Will + subject + base verb?
Use:
  • Spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking
  • Predictions based on opinion or belief
  • Promises, offers, and requests
Signal words: I think, probably, maybe, I promise, I'm sure

📗 Be Going To

Formation: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb
Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not going to + base verb
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
Use:
  • Plans and intentions decided before speaking
  • Predictions based on present evidence
Signal words: I've decided, I plan to, look at that...

📙 Present Continuous for Future

Formation: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + future time expression
Use:
  • Fixed arrangements with a specific time and place
  • Personal schedules and appointments
Signal words: tomorrow, next week, on Monday, at 3 PM
🔑 Key Tip: Think of "will" as a spontaneous decision, "be going to" as a pre-made plan, and present continuous as a confirmed appointment in your calendar.

💼
Professional Context

How to use future forms in a work environment

📅 Meetings & Schedules

📊 "We're meeting the new client on Thursday at 2 PM." (Present Continuous - fixed arrangement)
💻 "I'm going to prepare the presentation tonight." (Be going to - planned intention)
📝 "Don't worry, I'll send you the report by Friday." (Will - promise)

💬 Business Communication

🔄 "The company is going to expand into Asian markets next year." (Be going to - decided plan)
🤝 "I think sales will increase in Q4." (Will - prediction)
❓ "I'm flying to London on Monday for the conference." (Present Continuous - scheduled travel)

💡
Business English Examples

Correct examples and common mistakes to avoid

✅ Correct Professional Usage

"I'll call you back in five minutes." (Will - spontaneous decision)
"We're going to launch the new product in September." (Be going to - planned intention)
"The CEO is giving a speech at the conference tomorrow." (Present Continuous - scheduled event)
"I think the project will be successful." (Will - prediction/opinion)
"Look at those dark clouds. It's going to rain." (Be going to - prediction based on evidence)

❌ Common Business Mistakes

Incorrect: "I will meet him tomorrow at 3 PM." (when it's a fixed appointment)
Correct: "I'm meeting him tomorrow at 3 PM."
Incorrect: "We're going to probably finish early." (mixing forms)
Correct: "We'll probably finish early."
Incorrect: "I think the market is going to grow." (for opinion-based prediction)
Correct: "I think the market will grow."

🎧
Professional Listening Exercise

Listen to colleagues discussing their plans for next week

🎵 Audio: Planning Next Week
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
🔊
Speed:

Audio: Alpha Project Launch Planning

Sarah: "Hi Mark, thanks for calling back."

Mark: "No problem, Sarah. You mentioned the Alpha Project launch? How are things progressing? It sounds like it's getting busy!"

Sarah: "Yes, it is! So, first, the marketing team is finalizing the campaign materials this week. (Present Continuous - arrangement) They confirmed that they are going to send everything to us by Friday. (Going to - plan/intention) I hope so, because we need to review them."

Mark: "Good to hear marketing is on track. What about your key meetings for next week?"

Sarah: "Right. Next week, I am meeting with the sales department on Monday morning to align our strategies. (Present Continuous - arrangement) It's a very important meeting. Then, on Wednesday, we are holding a full team briefing. (Present Continuous - arrangement) Everyone needs to be there."

Mark: "Okay, understood. And what about the technical side? Any updates from the dev team?"

Sarah: "Ah, yes. So, the dev team is going to complete the final testing phase by next Tuesday. (Going to - plan) That's good news. If they find any critical bugs, they will fix them immediately, of course. (Will - spontaneous response to a hypothetical situation/promise)"

Mark: "Excellent. That covers the main teams. What about your personal tasks? That stakeholder presentation must be a big one."

Sarah: "It is. I also need to prepare my presentation for them. I am going to work on that over the weekend. (Going to - plan/intention) It will probably take me a full day. (Will - prediction)"

Mark: "Sounds like a busy weekend for you. Oh, by the way, Sarah, could I get a copy of the latest budget report when you have a moment?"

Sarah: "Oh, you need the budget report? Okay, I'll send it to you after this call. (Will - spontaneous decision/offer) No problem at all."

Mark: "Great, thanks! So, overall, are we looking good for the launch date?"

Sarah: "So, the plan is quite tight. If everything goes well, we are going to launch on schedule, in two weeks! (Going to - plan/intention) I'm quite optimistic. I think it will be a successful launch. (Will - prediction)"

Mark: "That's fantastic news, Sarah. Let's definitely connect early next week then."

Sarah: "Yes, let's touch base again early next week. Thanks, Mark! Bye."

Mark: "Bye, Sarah!"

Comprehension Questions

Question 1: What is Sarah doing on Monday?
💡 Hint: Listen for what Sarah says about Monday morning. She uses present continuous to describe a fixed arrangement.
Question 2: What does Sarah spontaneously offer to do for Mark?
💡 Hint: Sarah uses "will" to make a spontaneous offer when Mark asks for something. What does she promise to send after the call?
Question 3: Complete the sentence: "We _____ on schedule, in two weeks!"
💡 Hint: This is a planned action. Sarah uses "going to" for their pre-decided plan about the launch.

🧠
Quick Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding with these professional scenarios

1. "The phone is ringing! Don't worry, I _____ it."
A) 'll get
B) 'm going to get
C) 'm getting
2. "We _____ the new office on Friday. The moving company is confirmed."
A) will move to
B) are going to move to
C) are moving to
3. "Look at those sales figures! The company _____ a record profit this quarter."
A) will make
B) is going to make
C) is making

✏️
Professional Practice Exercises

Put what you've learned into practice

Exercise A: Choose the Correct Form

Complete the sentences with the correct future form (will, be going to, or present continuous):

1. I've decided! I _______ (apply) for the manager position.

💡 Hint: "I've decided" indicates a plan made before speaking. Which form do we use for pre-decided intentions?

2. I think the meeting _______ (finish) early today.

💡 Hint: "I think" signals an opinion-based prediction. Which form is used with predictions based on belief?

3. We _______ (have) lunch with the clients at 1 PM. The restaurant is booked.

💡 Hint: The restaurant is already booked - this is a fixed arrangement with a specific time. Which form is used for confirmed appointments?

4. Don't worry, I _______ (help) you with that report right now.

💡 Hint: This is a spontaneous offer made at the moment of speaking. Which form expresses immediate decisions?

5. The board _______ (announce) the new CEO next Monday. The press release is ready.

💡 Hint: Everything is prepared (press release is ready) - this is a scheduled, fixed arrangement with a specific date.

Exercise B: Match the Situation

Choose the best future form for each situation:

1. You see dark clouds outside and predict rain. "It _______ (rain)."

💡 Hint: You're making a prediction based on present evidence (dark clouds). Which form is used for evidence-based predictions?

2. Your flight to Berlin is confirmed for tomorrow. "I _______ (fly) to Berlin tomorrow."

💡 Hint: The flight is confirmed - this is a fixed arrangement with a specific time. Use present continuous.

3. You just decided to take a break. "I think I _______ (take) a short break now."

💡 Hint: This is a decision made at the moment of speaking. Which form is used for spontaneous decisions?

Exercise C: Error Correction

Find and correct the error in each sentence:

1. Wrong: "I will meet the supplier at 3 PM tomorrow. It's in my calendar."
Correct version:

💡 Hint: If it's in your calendar, it's a fixed arrangement. Use present continuous instead of "will."

2. Wrong: "Look at those numbers! I think we're going to exceed our targets."
Correct version:

💡 Hint: "Look at those numbers" suggests evidence-based prediction, but "I think" suggests opinion. For evidence-based predictions, drop "I think" or use "will" with "I think."

3. Wrong: "I'm going to probably finish early today."
Correct version:

💡 Hint: "Probably" signals uncertainty/prediction. Use "will" with probability words like "probably," "maybe," "perhaps."

🗣️
Speaking Preparation

Prepare these topics to practice with your teacher

Task 1: My Plans for Next Week (1 minute)

Tell your teacher about your schedule for next week. Use all three future forms appropriately.

💡 Preparation tip: Use present continuous for fixed appointments, "be going to" for planned intentions, and "will" for spontaneous additions or predictions.

Task 2: Making Predictions (1 minute)

Discuss what you think will happen in your industry or company in the next year. Make predictions based on both opinion and evidence.

💡 Suggested structure: "I think... will..." for opinions, "Based on... it's going to..." for evidence.

Task 3: Planning a Project (2 minutes)

Describe an upcoming project or event at work. Explain what is already scheduled, what you plan to do, and make some predictions about the outcome.

💡 Tip: Mix all three future forms naturally to demonstrate your understanding.

🎯 Key Points to Remember

1
Will: Spontaneous decisions, promises, offers, and opinion-based predictions. "I'll help you." / "I think it will rain."
2
Be going to: Pre-decided plans and evidence-based predictions. "I'm going to apply for the job." / "Look! It's going to rain."
3
Present Continuous: Fixed arrangements with specific time/place. "I'm meeting the client at 3 PM tomorrow."
Module suivant →