SPYMASTER | Mission 4: Future

90 min

Ways to express
the future meaning

10 topics

2 tasks

SPYMASTER

Mission 4

As was mentioned in the previous mission, WILL is not the only tool to refer to the future, and nor is it the only modal verb capable of doing that.

I may / might help you if you ask nicely. = I will possibly help…
He should / ought to be here any minute now. = From what I know, I expect him to be here…
Shall I / we lend you a hand? = Let me / us…
Shall we say 3 o’clock? = Let’s meet / get in touch / start etc at 3.
Sorry, I cannot see her tonight.
You must do something about it as soon as possible.
We have to leave in 5 minutes.
They are to arrive at no later than 6.
She really needs to be at work next week.
I’d better (had better) not take the day off tomorrow.
We’d rather (would rather) not explain ourselves, not ever.

MODAL VERBS

1.

BE GOING TO

Note that BE GOING TO is as likely to express intention as prediction. Use the context and your own good judgement.

He is going to come. = he said so
He is going to come. = I know it even though we didn’t talk.

BE GOING TO could also be used for commands and refusals:

You are going to apologise whether you feel like it or not! (command)
You are not going to wear that to school! (refusal)

2.

3.

Present Continuous

Present Continuous for personal plans, fixed arrangements, commands and refusals

I’m seeing Jane tomorrow. (personal plan / fixed arrangement)
You are apologising whether you feel like it or not! (command)
You are not wearing that to school! (refusal)

NB!

In many cases, BE GOING TO and PR. CONTINUOUS could be used interchangeably. However, PR. CONTINUOUS focuses more on the arrangement:

Who's doing the dishes? = Who is responsible for the dishes today?
Who's going to do the dishes? = Are there any volunteers?

4.

Present Simple

Present Simple: timetables, if/when clauses, instructions

Our plane departs at 7:05. (timetable)
I’ll call you when we get there. (when-clause)
How do I get to the station? (asking for instructions)

5.

TO-INFINITIVE: newspaper headlines

PM to visit Australia = Prime Minister is going to visit Australia.
Hospitals to take on fewer patients = Hospitals are going to take on fewer patients.

6.

ADJECTIVE + INFINITIVE

There aren’t many adjectives like that. Most of them can be found in the examples below.

We are due to land at 9.15. = scheduled to land
Come in! I'm (just) about to have dinner. = I’m going to have dinner right now.
He's (un)likely to tell her the truth. = I (don't) think he will tell her the truth.
He's certain / sure to tell her the truth. = I’m certain / sure he will tell her the truth.
He's bound to tell her the truth. = He will definitely tell her the truth.
He's set to tell her the truth. = He is going to / ready to tell her the truth.

7.

ON THE POINT / VERGE / BRINK OF Ving

They’re on the verge of signing a new contract. = are about to sign
Scientists are on the brink of making a major new discovery. = are just about to make
We are on the point of giving up. = are about to give up

9.

PASSIVE VERBS WITH A 'FUTURE' MEANING:

BE SUPPOSED TO / BE EXPECTED TO / BE MEANT TO, ETC.

She’s supposed to come here in five minutes.
We are expected to be there at noon. = They expect us to be there at noon.

10.

ADJECTIVES 'HINTING' AT THE FUTURE:

forthcoming — [only before noun] going to happen, be published, etc. very soon
imminent — (especially of sth unpleasant) likely to happen very soon
impending — [only before noun] (usually of an unpleasant event) that is going to happen very soon
looming — threatening and likely to happen soon
prospective — 1) expected to do sth or to become sth, potential; 2) expected to happen soon, forthcoming
soon-to-be — future. Her soon-to-be husband.
upcoming — [only before noun] (especially NAmE) going to happen soon