English with a Smile

In this article you’re going to learn some expressions to use with future tense and will (or won’t).

You can use I will (or you will, he will, she will, etc.) for predictions.

If you think you will stay home tonight, you can say: I will stay home tonight.

Or: I think I will stay home tonight.

Or if you don’t stay home, then you can say: I won’t stay home tonight.

Okay, so far that’s simple, right?

Now you can also add words that indicate that you are less certain, or more certain.

Certainly Will

For instance, you’re fairly certain you will want to stay home tonight.

So you say: I will certainly stay home tonight.

Definitely Will

If I’m a hundred percent sure, I will say: I will definitely stay home tonight.

Probably Will

If you’re not so sure, you can say: I will probably stay home tonight.

Now with Won’t.

You can express that you’re more or less certain that you won’t stay home tonight.

Sorry that I’m using the same boring sentence all the time, but that is to make it clearer for you.

Certainly Won’t

You’re sure that you won’t stay home tonight. So you say: I will certainly not stay home tonight.

Or if you want to use the contraction (won’t), say: I certainly won’t stay home tonight.

Tip: Please note something important here, which is that certainly will comes after will if you don’t use the contraction, and before won’t if you use the contracted form.

Definitely Won’t

You’re absolutely sure that you won’t stay home tonight, so you say: I will definitely not stay home tonight. Or: I definitely won’t stay home tonight.

Probably Won’t

You’re not absolutely sure that you’ll stay home, so you say: I probably won’t stay home tonight.

Most Certainly and Almost Certainly Etc.

You can also add: Most certainly, almost certainly, almost certainly not, most probably, most definitely. These add-ons of most and almost don’t add that much meaning. Almost certainly means more or less the same as most certainly. Perhaps most certainly is a little stronger (a little more sure) than almost certainly. The more precise you want to be in the way you talk (and write), the more of these little subtle words you can use. You don’t have to use them. It’s up to you. But people will use these expressions a lot and that’s why you need to know them.

Now try the quiz.

Quiz

You can do this quiz online here.

Choose the answer that is closest to the meaning in the question sentence.

Liam will most certainly not go to work today, as he has some kind of virus.

A He definitely won’t go to work.

B He probably won’t go to work today.

Answer A is the right one: most certainly means definitely.

1 Francesca will probably take a summer course in London this year.

A She will almost certainly take a summer course.

B She will definitely not take a summer course.

2 River and Evie will probably move in together.

A They almost certainly won’t move in together.

B They are thinking of moving in together.

3 When Rosie’s dog gets puppies, I definitely won’t take one of them.

A I’ll almost certainly take one of Rosie’s puppies.

B I’ll most certainly not take one of Rosie’s puppies.

4 The coming months will most definitely be quite interesting at work.

A The coming months at work won’t be boring.

B The coming months at work will most probably not be interesting.

5 I don’t think I will have time to read a book tonight.

A I probably won’t have time to read tonight.

B I definitely won’t have time to read tonight.

6 Most probably that new building on the corner will be another high-rise.

A That new building on the corner will almost certainly not be a bungalow.

B That new building on the corner will almost definitely be a bungalow.

7 You will almost certainly have a great time at the theatre.

A You will most definitely not enjoy yourself at the theatre.

B You’ll probably enjoy yourself a lot at the theatre.

Want to practise more future tenses? Have a look here.

В грамматике английского языка есть четкое разделение между планами и предсказаниями. В этой статье мы рассказываем, как говорить о предсказаниях, используя грамматические конструкции в английском.

Future Simple

Вспомогательный глагол will в будущем времени английского языка (Future Simple) также выполняет функцию модального глагола. Мы используем его, чтобы говорить о предположениях относительно событий в будущем. Подобные предложения не основаны на фактах и часто выражают субъективное мнение.

I think we will be late.
Я думаю, мы опоздаем.

She’ll be a great teacher.
Она будет отличным учителем.

To be going to

Мы используем конструкцию “to be going to”, когда говорим о свершении какого-то события в ближайшем будущем или предсказываем событие, основываясь на фактах в настоящем.

The meeting starts in 10 minutes, and we are still in a traffic jam. We’re going to be late!
Встреча начнется через 10 минут, а мы все еще стоим в пробке. Мы опоздаем!

The forecast said it’s going to rain for a few days this week.
По прогнозу, на этой неделе несколько дней будут идти дожди.

NB! При переводе предложений с предсказаниями с английского на русский язык, помните, что “be going to” не значит “собирается”.

The pilot said we are going to arrive a bit earlier that it was planned (предсказание).
Пилот сказал, что мы прибудем немного раньше, чем планировалось.

The pilot is going to land the plane in the nearest airport due to the weather conditions (намерение).
Пилот собирается посадить самолет в ближайшем аэропорту из-за погодных условий.

Узнайте, как использовать Future Perfect Tense в английском языке, перейдя по ссылке.

» IMAGINE THE FUTURE! «

Complete the article with the correct form of the verb.

In 30 years, the world  (be) different. Computers (talk) to all the machines in our homes.

Refrigerators  computers,too. Our parents (not go) to the supermarket to buy food. You

(tell) the refrigerator what you want to eat, and the refrigerator (know)what food to buy.

Your refrigerator  to a computer at the supermarket, after that, the food at your house.

How  it (come)?. It (not be) quick.

A teenager (ride) a bike to your house with your food! you(know) what will happen in the

No one really knows, but it’s fun to imagine!

Complete the conversation with the correct form of will and the verbs in parentheses.

Robert:  What do you think the world (be) like in 30 years?  it (be) a nice place?

Kenny: No, it .

Robert: No? Why not ?

Kenny: It  (be)dirty. People have enough food.

Robert: But there (be) new ways to make food.

Kenny: And there (not be) any gas.

Robert: We (not need)oil. Cars and planes (use) solar energy.

Kenny:  Oh, yes. The sun.

Kenny: Yes, it .

Robert:What the temperature in Peru (be) in the summer?

Kenny: It could be 45° C in the summer!

Robert:Forty five degrees in Peru? that isn’t possible!

Sometimes English grammar can be tough! Occasionally, you may think: ‘I just can’t make head or tail of it!’

Grammar can leave students pulling their hair out! Students often ask: ‘Why do you have so many grammatical tenses? In my language we do not have so many tenses!’

When you break the language down you will see that English is a very expressive language and each grammatical structure that you use communicates a very specific idea and time.

Each time you say something, the person that you are speaking to interprets your words and creates a very specific mental picture of what you are communicating. Using the correct grammar means that people will know exactly what you are on about every time you communicate!

Predictions About The Future

will (+infinitive) and to be going to (+infinitive)

We hope that this blog helps you to understand the differences in meaning between these two structures and how we use them in English.

We use both will and to be going to when we want to make a prediction about the future. A prediction is a statement that we make about the future.

When a person makes a prediction they say what they think will happen in the future.

‘Will’ or ‘Going To’? (Predictions)

We use to be + going to + infinitive when we make a prediction based on evidence we have now.

We use will + infinitive when we make a prediction which is only a guess or an opinion of ours.

When do we use the structure ‘to be going to + infinitive?’

We use the structure to be going to + infinitive if we make a prediction about the future because we have evidence now that supports us in making that prediction.

This means that something now (in the present) tells us what is going to happen in the future.

Predictions about the future are made every day. Here are some predictions that we see on a regular basis:

On television, the weather forecast predicts what the weather will be like tomorrow. Weather forecasters use different weather instruments that provide them with information in the present. Weather forecasters use this information to make their predictions about the weather.

If you asked a weather forecaster to make a prediction about the weather he/she might say: ‘It is going to be sunny tomorrow. Temperatures are going to be between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. It is going to rain on the east coast in the evening. Tomorrow night is going to be cloudy’.

Economists make predictions regarding the economy in a country, levels of employment and unemployment and the creation of jobs. An economist is someone who has studied economics. Economists use evidence from history and data that has been collected to help them make their predictions. They use this evidence to help them make predictions about economic situations in the future.

If you asked an economist to make a prediction about the economy he/she might say: “Unemployment levels are going to fall next year. The economy of the country is going to grow by 2%. Tax rates are going to decrease slightly. Taxes are not going to increase.”

Test Yourself

Make predictions based on the evidence you are given in the sentences.

Example: Andrew is holding a suitcase at the airport. There are shorts and t shirts, sunglasses and a travel guide in his suitcase. What is he going to do?

Answer: He is going to go on holiday.

When do we use the structure ‘will + infinitive?’

We also use the structure will + infinitive to make a prediction about the future. However, if we use this structure we are guessing or stating our opinion.  We do not have any evidence in the present telling us what the future is going to be.

Every day, newspapers print horoscopes telling people what will happen in their lives that day. Horoscopes make predictions about peoples jobs and careers.

Horoscopes also make predictions about people’s relationships, their health and their finances. However, when you read a horoscope you are reading a prediction about yourself but this is not based on any evidence. This prediction is guessing what your future is going to be.

If you are very lucky your horoscope might say something like this: “Today you will get a phone call. The person who telephones you will offer you the job of your dreams. Later this afternoon you will win a lot of money on the lottery.”

Here, I have made some predictions about the future:

I predict that Ireland will win the UEFA European Championship in France in 2016 (I am not a football fan – this prediction is a guess!)

I predict that we will have a hot summer in Ireland in 2016. I am not a weather forecaster but I am a very optimistic Irish person!

I predict that Justin Bieber will decide to retire from music! (I am not a Justin Bieber fan!)

Choose ‘will’ or ‘is/are going to’ to complete sentences.

Vocabulary

Prediction: A statement that we make about the future

To predict: To make a statement about the future

Weather forecaster: A man/woman who uses weather instruments to predict weather conditions

Weather forecast: A prediction of weather conditions that gives us information about winds, temperatures etc.

Economist: A man/woman who is an expert in the subject of economics

Horoscope: a short prediction for people born under a particular sign, especially found in newspapers and magazines

Phrasal Verbs

To break down: To separate out into different parts / to analyze Example: I didn’t know how to solve the problem until I broke it down into small parts and solved one piece at a time.

Idioms

Can’t make head or tail of something: unable to understand something/ unable to make sense of something Example: I really don’t like Ikea furniture. I can never make head or tail out of the instructions for putting the furniture together. I always do it wrong!!

Pull one’s hair out: To be nervous/anxious or frustrated with a situation Example: English idioms make me want to pull my hair out! They are so confusing!!

To be on about: to mean Example: Did you understand anything he was saying yesterday. I was listening but I have no idea what he was on about!!

Complete sentences using idioms from this post.

The future simple, or the future indefinite, is the most common way to speak about the future. We use the future simple when it is not necessary to stress the length and the result of the action.

However, the verb «will» has more functions than just referring to the future on a timescale. It is closely related to the nouns «will», «willingness» and it often has the same shade of meaning.

Facts and predictions

Using the future simple, we can speak about things which are certain and make predictions when we are not 100% sure that something will happen.

The shop opens at 9 a.m. So, at 8 a.m. it will be closed.

The conference will take place in Berlin.

Who do you think will win the championship?

I don’t think this plan will work.

Willingness, readiness

Using the future simple, we can offer to do something or ask somebody to do something for us. The negative form will have the opposite meaning: we use «won’t + verb» when we don’t want to do something or refuse an offer.

Will you help me carry the bags? = Do you mind carrying the bags for me?

Will you wait for me, please? I’ll be back in a minute. = Could you wait for me?

I will call them, it’s not a problem at all. = I don’t mind calling them.

I won’t do that! Don’t ask me to! = I don’t want to do that.

We can use won’t + verb in the meaning of unwillingness not only in relation to people but to things as well.

The car won’t start. = It «doesn’t want» to start.

I’m trying to unlock the door, but it won’t open. = It «doesn’t want» to open.

Decisions on the spot

We use the future simple when we make a decision right now, on the spot. We didn’t plan it before.

A: I’m thirsty. B: I’ll give you some water.

A: Have you received an email from me? B: Just a second, I’ll check my email box.

Questions-offers with shall I / shall we

We are asking what you think about something. Are you for or against? Remember that we can only use shall with «I» and «we».

Shall I close the window? = Is it alright if I close the window?

Shall we go for walk? = What do you think about going for walk now?

Shall I call you at eight? = Do you mind if I call you at eight?

The first conditionals

We also use the future simple in conditional sentences of the first type.

If I go to Paris, I will visit the Louvre.

If there aren’t any non-stop flights, I’ll book a flight with stopovers.