B2 Grammar & Communication · Escola Oficial d'Idiomes

NEXT.

An interactive feature on expressing the future

Issue 01 · Future Forms · Interactive Edition
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Reference Guide

What Lies Ahead —
A Grammar of the Future

Everything you need before tackling the activities. Open each section, study the examples, and keep this tab handy.

Fact / certain futureIt will be an expensive trip.
Opinion-based predictionI think they'll win the election.
Spontaneous decisionI'll get the bill — don't worry.
Promise / offer / refusalI promise I'll call you back.
First conditionalWe'll have fun if you come.
Think of will as a declaration — made in the moment, based on opinion or intention. If you decide as you speak, use will.
Intention / planI'm going to apply for a new job.
Evidence-based predictionLook at those clouds — it's going to rain!
Past unfulfilled planWe were going to move abroad, but then Brexit happened.
Intention (going to)I'm going to visit my mother this weekend.
Arrangement (present continuous)I'm visiting my mother this weekend.
The plan already exists in your head before you speak. If you can picture it as a mental to-do list item, use going to.
Arrangement (action taken)We're leaving early in the morning. (tickets booked)
Diary planShe's meeting the director on Friday.
Something is already in the diary. A step has been taken to confirm it. Present continuous = it's happening, full stop.
Timetabled eventThe train leaves at 7:42.
After time conjunctionsbefore / after / as soon as / until / whenCall me when you arrive.
After when, before, after, as soon as, until — never use will. The present simple takes over.
In progress at a future timeThis time next week, I'll be hiking in Menorca.
Polite enquiryWill you be attending the conference?
Inevitable / natural courseI'll be seeing Sarah at the party anyway.
Temporary situationYou'll be taking the train next week.
Picture a camera filming a future moment — the future continuous captures what's happening in frame. Also your most polite tool for asking about someone's arrangements.
be due to + inf.The report is due to be published on Friday.
be about to + inf.She's about to resign. (very soon)
be on the verge/brink of + -ingHe was on the brink of quitting.
be + to + inf. (formal)The president is to address the nation.
be bound toIt's bound to be a success. (very likely)
be (un)likely toShe's unlikely to accept the offer.
About to = seconds away. On the verge of = dramatic, significant. Due to = scheduled. Bound to = almost certain.
Activity 1

Sort It Out

Drag each sentence into the correct future form category. Identify the form used in each sentence and place it in the right box.

The flight departs at 06:15.
I'll be living in Berlin this time next year.
She's going to quit her corporate job.
I promise I'll send you the details.
We're having dinner with the team on Thursday.
Call me as soon as you land.
It's bound to rain — it always does in April.
Look at those clouds — it's going to storm!
Will you be needing the car tomorrow?
She is to meet the CEO next Monday.
Future FormDrop sentences here
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Be going to
Will
Future Continuous
Other Ways
Activity 2

The Best Fit

A journalist is preparing for a life-changes interview. Choose the most appropriate future form for each context. Read the situation carefully — communicative function matters as much as grammar.

Activity 3

Spot the Error

Each sentence below contains one incorrect future form. Read each sentence carefully, identify the error, and type the correct version of the wrong word or phrase in the box provided.

Activity 4 — The Feature Interview

Build the Interview

NEXT magazine is interviewing Lucía Torres — a 34-year-old architect about to leave her firm and move abroad. At each step, choose the response that best expresses her meaning. Your choices will build the full interview below.

Your interview will appear here as you make your choices…

NEXT Magazine · Escola Oficial d'Idiomes

Activity Complete

You have worked through all four activities on expressing the future.

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