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1. Using
the Present Progressive and the Simple Present to express Future time
| Examples |
Explanation |
Present
Progressive
a) My wife has an appointment with a doctor. She is seeing Dr.
Greaney next Wednesday.
b) Marc has already made his plans. He is leaving at
noon tomorrow.
c) A: What are you going to do this afternoon?
B: After lunch, I am meeting an old friend
of mine. We are going to a café. Would you like to come
along?
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The Present Progressive may be used to express future time when
the idea of the sentence concerns a planned event or definite intention.
(Compare: A verb such as rain is not used in the present progressive
to indicate future time because rain is not a planned event.)
A future meaning for the present progressive tense is indicated
either by future time words in the sentence or by the context.
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| Present
Simple d) The Musee des Beaux Arts opens at
ten tomorrow morning.
e) Classes begin next week.
f) Adam’s plane arrives at 5:45 a.m.
next Monday.
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The Present Simple can also be used to express future time in sentences
that concern events that are on a definite schedule or timetable.
These sentences usually contain future time words. Only a few verbs
are used in this way: e.g. open, close, begin, end, start, finish,
arrive, leave, come, return. |
2. Other uses of Will: Making quick decisions and serious promises
| Examples |
Explanation |
a)
A: I think there’s someone at the door.
B: I’ll go and check.
b) A: Telephone!
B: Okay, I’ll get it!
c) A: I need someone to help out at the community centre.
B: Oh, I will!
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Use will to show you have decided to do something at that moment.
You decide to do this as you speak.
The contracted 'll is usually used in these situations.
Do not use 'll in short answers.
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d) I will always love you.
e) I’ll give you my homework tomorrow, I promise!
f) A: Remember, this is a secret!
B: I won’t tell anybody. You can count on me.
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Use will to make a serious promise |
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