UNIT 2 Simple Future & Future Progressive

 PRE – LISTENING
1. Look at the pictures and read the title. What do you think the article is about?

2. How different do you think things will be in 20 years, 50 years, and 100 years from now?

3. What do you think will change the most in the future? Why?

PRESENTING THE FUTURE

 WHILE – LISTENING

1. What are the changes mentioned?

a) Household robots perform household chores.

b) High-tech clothing material keep people warm or cold automatically.
c) Farmers grow vegetables on Mars (scientist changed the atmosphere of the planet).
d) Children wear jackets that have a GPD.
e) Cars drive automatically.

 POST – LISTENING

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each change?

2. Which one do you think will most likely happen? / least likely happen? Why?

38
 GRAMMAR NOTES
Simple Future and Future Progressive
There are several ways to talk about actions in the future. You can use be going to, will, the present
progressive or the simple present. Sometimes only one form of the future is appropriate, but in many
cases more than one form is possible.

39
 will
1. “Will” expresses the intention of doing something in the future.

Example:
I’m not sure what I’ll do tomorrow. Maybe I’ll just stay home and watch some TV.

2. “Will” is used to make predictions about the future, but there’s no present evidence for such
prediction.

Example:
Many people predict that traffic will quickly move to the sky.

I don’t think humans will ever be able to live in other planets.

Do you think doctors will ever find a cure for the common cold?

3. "Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the
speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's
complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or
volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to
voluntarily do something.

Example:
I’ll help you with those bags, ma’am.

Can you close the door?

Sure. I’ll do it right away.

Will you help me move out this weekend?

4. "Will" is usually used in promises and for invitations.

Example:

OK, OK. I promise I’ll tell nobody your secret.

I won’t ever smoke again.
Will you join us for coffee this evening?

5. “Will” is used when making instant decisions, i.e. when deciding something at the moment of
speaking, as when ordering food in a restaurant.

Example:
We’ll have the medium rare stake, baked potatoes, and tomato salad. We won’t have an
appetizer though.

Gee. It’s really hot in here. I’ll turn on the air conditioner.

40
 be going to
1. "be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do
something in the future that he/she has previously planned to do. It does not matter whether the
plan is realistic or not.

Example:
Thomas, Kate and I are going to throw a surprise birthday party for Kim next Saturday. Want to
come?

2. “be going to” is used to make future predictions based on some present evidence or current
information that leads to such prediction.

Example:
In the next few decades most people are going to work from home. Lots of companies are currently
piloting this idea with very good results.

Look! Those kids are going to fall. Not

Look! Those kids will fall.

Present Progressive as Future

1. The present progressive is used to express future time when the idea of the sentence concerns a
planned event or a definite intention which has already been arranged. There is usually some
reference to the future, this tells us that the event is going to happen in the future and that's not
happening now. Or the future reference may be given by the context.

Example:
Mr. Eon is arriving home from Mars tomorrow afternoon.

A: What are you going to do this afternoon?

B: After lunch I am meeting a friend. We are going shopping. Would you like to come?

Remember! Non-action verbs (stative) are not used in the progressive form.

Simple Present as Future

1. The simple present is used to express future time in a sentence concerning events that are on a
definite schedule or timetable. These sentences usually contain future time words or the future is
known for both the speaker and listener. Only a few verbs are used this way: e.g. open, close,
begin, end, start, finish, arrive, leave, depart, come and return.

Example:
Our flight leaves at midnight. (It’s not midnight yet.)

When does class begin tomorrow?

It starts at 8:00 am and finishes at 10:30.

41
 Future Progressive
Sometimes there is little or no difference between the future progressive and the simple future,
especially when the future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future, as in (d) and (e).

a) I will begin to study at 7 o’clock. You will come at 8. I will be studying when you come.
b) Right now I am sitting in class. At this same time tomorrow, I will be sitting in class.
c) Don’t call me at 9 pm because I won’t be home. I am going to be studying at the library.
d) Don’t get impatient. She will be coming soon.
e) Don’t get impatient. She will come soon.

1. Use the future progressive with will or be going to to talk about actions that will be in progress
at a specific time in the future.

Example:
I’ll be flying to Mars tomorrow afternoon.

I’m going to be flying to Mars tomorrow afternoon.

I will begin to study at 7 o’clock. You will come at 8. I will be studying when you come

Right now I am sitting in class. At this same time tomorrow, I won’t be sitting in class because I’m
going to be taking my nephews and nieces on a trip to the moon.

2. People often use the future progressive to hint that they would like someone to do them a favor.
This way the question becomes more polite than when using the simple future.

Example:
A: Will you be going by the post office tomorrow?
B: I plan to. Why? Do you need any stamps?

When will you hand your paper? (teacher to student) simple future

When will you be grading our tests? (student to teacher) future progressive

42
3. In sentences with future time clauses:

Use the future or the future progressive in the main clause and the simple present or present
progressive in the time clause.

Main clause time clause

I’ll call when the shuttle lands on Mars.

Main clause time clause

I’ll be traveling to the moon while my parents are returning from Venus.

Be careful! Do not use the simple future or future progressive in the time clause.

Main clause time clause

Mom will be making lunch while the robot is cleaning the house.

Not

Mom will be making lunch while the robot will be cleaning the house.

Remember! Non-action verbs (stative) are not used in the progressive form.

43
1. DISCOVER THE GRAMMAR
Read the text below and underline all the sentences that refer to the future.

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

In the next few decades people are going to travel very differently from
the way they do today. Everyone is going to drive electrically operated
cars. So in a few years people won't worry about running out of gas.
Some of the large automobile companies are really moving ahead with
this new technology. Dr. Eon from F & C Motors, for example, is holding
a press this afternoon. At the press conference the company will be
presenting its new, electronically operated models which will run on very
low charge of electricity.

Transportation in the future won't be limited to the ground. Many people

predict that traffic will quickly move to the sky. In the coming years,
instead of radio reports about road conditions and highway traffic, news
reports will be talking about traffic jams in the sky.

But the sky isn't the limit. In the future, you'll probably even be able to take a trip to the moon. Instead of
listening to regular airplane announcements, you'll be hearing someone say, "The shuttle to the moon
leaves in 10 minutes. Please check your equipment. And remember, no more than 10 ounces of carry-
on baggage are allowed.

2. AFTER THE CONFERENCE

Circle the correct words to complete these conversations.

Eon: Which project are you going to work on?

Rover: I haven’t decided for sure. Probably the Space mobile.
Eon: Look at those dark clouds Rover!
Rover: Yeah! It looks like it’s going to rain any minute.
Eon: Hmm, I’d better get back to my hotel room before it starts to rain.
Rover: OK. I’ll see you later.

Later at the hotel

Desk: Dr. Eon, your son just called.
Eon: Oh, good. I think I’ll call him back right away.

On the phone
Eon: Hi, honey. How’s it going?
Rob: Great. I’m going fishing with Grandpa tomorrow.
Eon: Have fun, but don’t forget that you still have to finish that paper for school.
Rob: I know, Mom. I’m sending it to my teacher tomorrow morning. I’ve already discussed
it with her. When will you be here?
Eon: Tomorrow. My plane lands at 7:00, so I’ll see you about 8:00, Hey, don’t forget I’ll be waiting to
hear from you when you get to the lake with Grandpa.

44
 3. LEAVING EARTH
Complete the ad for the Mars shuttle. Use the correct form of the verbs in parentheses – future
progressive or simple future.

Leave all your earthly problems behind. Call today and in just week you’ll be flying
(fly) on the new shuttle to Mars! Imagine – while everyone is (be) stuck back here on
Earth, you’ll be defying (defy) gravity in our spacious, comfortable, modern spaceship.
You’ll be floating (float) in your own compartment when one of our friendly flight
robots offers (offer) you a meal straight from the space oven.

You’ll be reading (read) your complimentary copy of Star Magazine while the
gentle swaying of the spacecraft rocks (rock) you to sleep. And before you know it, you’ll
be getting ready (get ready) to land on the planet of your dreams. So don’t delay! Call
for a reservation. Once aboard, we guarantee it – you’ll not think / won’t think (not
think) about anything except returning again and again and again…

4. EDITING
Read this flight announcement that was made on the shuttle to Mars. The captain has made seven
mistakes in the use of the future and future progressive. Find and correct them all. (Note: There is often
more than one way to correct a mistake)
is
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This will be Captain Zor
are leaving
speaking. We are going to be leave the Earth’s gravity field in

about five minutes. When you will hear the announcement, you’ll

be able to unbuckle your seat belts and float around the cabin.
will take / will be taking will serve / serve
Host robots take orders for dinner soon. They’ll serving from

6:30 to 7:30. The shuttle arrives on Mars tomorrow morning at

9:00. Tonight’s temperature on the planet is a mild minus 20 degrees Celsius. When you arrive
will be feel
tomorrow morning, the temperature is 18 degrees, but it will be feeling more like 20 degrees. Enjoy

your flight.”
45
 5. LISTENING
Four members of the Mars Association are trying to organize a conference in Venus. Listen to their
conversation. Mark the char below to help you figure out when they are available.

X = not available

July August
Weeks 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Jennifer  x x
Brian x x 
Lorna x 
Tranh x x x  x x x

When they’re all available: ___________________________________

6. WRITING
Write a paragraph about your life 15 years from now. What will you be doing for a living? What kind of
family life will you have? What hobbies will you be enjoying? What will you do to achieve these things?
Use the future and future progressive.

Example: In 15 years, I will be working for the space program. I am going to be planning the first
colony on the moon. First I will have to graduate from college and then …

7. ON THE INTERNET
Do a search on space activities. Find information about what will be happening by the end of the 21st
century. For example, will tourists be traveling to the moon or Mars? Will scientists “terraform” Mars? Are
there going to be farms and factories in space? Present your predictions to the class. Find your own
information or look information from these:

* SEDS (students for the Exploration and Development of Space)

* The Mars Society
* The Planetary Society
* Space.com

46