|
Summer break is just around the corner, and it’s time to make some fun plans. So, let’s learn how to express future actions in English. Also, here I am offering a few new idioms to add to your everyday vocabulary.
1. be going to + verb
a)This expression is often found in informal situations to make predictions about future events that will happen very soon.
Hurry! We are going to miss our plane!
The sky is getting very dark. It’s going to rain cats and dogs.
b)This expression is often found in informal situations to make predictions about future events that will happen very soon.
He is going to work all day tomorrow.
They are going to visit his parents in the near future.
2. Will + verb (future simple tense) ? ‘ll (shortened form of will)
a)Use it to offer or promise something.
"I got lost and don’t know my way to the hotel." "Don’t worry, he will tell you where to go!"
"Sorry I couldn’t go to movies with you last night. I'll have to take a rain check."
b)Use it to express eagerness or spontaneous actions.
Someone is knocking on the door. "I’ll open it!" (or) "I will open it!"
c)Use it to express definite future intentions that will most likely happen.
"What are your summer plans?" "I will travel overseas."
3. Simple Present - Use it when talking about scheduled events.
My summer break begins on June 15th.
The sky is getting very dark. It’s going to rain cats and dogs.
It’s 7 am, and John is rushing to the bus station. "John, don’t get ahead of yourself! Our bus leaves at 10:30 am." 4. Present Progressive - Used for planned activities.
My friends are getting married next month.
It’s late. I’m taking off in 10 minutes.
Where are we meeting for dinner?
5. Future Perfect Tense - Expresses an activity that will have happened before a specific time in the future.
By this time next year, I will have graduated from college.
I need to set money aside every week. That way I will have saved $300 for a rainy day by next month.
He will have lived in the USA ten years by 2022.
6. be about to + verb - Phrases with these words mean that something will happen in the immediate future.
I am about to finish my assignment.
"Are you about to leave?" "Yes, I’m leaving in 15 minutes."
"You have been studying hard like there’s no tomorrow." "I know. I have final exams next week, but I am about to stop and go get some fresh air."
7. Should + verb - Use this expression to make approximate predictions.
I should return home soon.
Peter should be here any minute.
The train should arrive shortly.
8. to be to - Use it to talk about future actions in formal situations.
The president is to give speech tomorrow.
You are to report to work at 8 o’clock in the morning.
Definitions of the new idioms:
just around the corner = soon
to rain cats and dogs = to rain a lot
in the near future = soon but not right away
take a rain check = do something at a later time, postpone
get ahead of yourself = to act prematurely, to rush
take off = leave
save for a rainy day = save money for an unexpected event in the future
like there’s no tomorrow = used when you are doing something with very much enthusiasm
|
スタッフ記事 ＜卒業式と贈ることば＞ IGE 平田貞美
