1. Simple Present for Future Events
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When do we use it?
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For scheduled events or timetables (things that are fixed and certain).
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Used especially with transportation, events, and formal arrangements.
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Examples:
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The train leaves at 6 PM tomorrow.
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Our flight lands in Paris next week.
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The conference starts on Monday.
Tip: The simple present is only used for future meanings when the event is already scheduled and not changing.
2. “Going to + Verb” for Future Events
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When do we use it?
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For planned actions (when you have already decided or prepared to do something).
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For predictions based on current evidence (when you can see or sense that something will happen).
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Examples:
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I’m going to visit my cousin next weekend. (It’s a plan I’ve already made.)
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Look at those dark clouds! It’s going to rain soon. (The evidence is clear.)
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She’s going to buy a new phone tomorrow.
Tip: Use “going to” when you are certain about your plans or when you have proof that something will happen.
3. “Will + Verb” for Future Events
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When do we use it?
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For decisions made at the moment of speaking (on-the-spot decisions).
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For predictions without strong evidence (when you are guessing or expressing beliefs).
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For promises, offers, or requests.
- Often used with "hope, expect, believe" when talking about the future
- I hope will get here on time (I hope he gets here on time (also possible)
- I really believe he will win the election
- I expect he will be late again.
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Examples:
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I will help you clean the kitchen. (On-the-spot decision.)
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I think he will win the game. (A prediction based on belief.)
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Don’t worry, I will call you when I arrive. (A promise.)
Tip: Use “will” when you haven’t planned ahead or when you’re making a quick decision, a guess, or a promise.
Future Tenses Practice
Will / Going to / Simple Present
Click on the blanks to reveal the correct answers.
1. (On the phone) Ok, I ______ call you when I get home. I can think about it until then.
will
a) will (werde)
b) going to (werde vorhaben)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
2. She ______ a cake for the party. She bought the ingredients yesterday.
is going to bake
a) will bake (wird backen)
b) is going to bake (wird backen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
3. The train ______ at 9 AM tomorrow. The schedule is fixed.
leaves
a) leaves (fährt ab)
b) will leave (wird abfahren)
c) is going to leave (wird abfahren)
4. They ______ their grandparents on Sunday. They told them last week.
are going to visit
a) are going to visit (werden besuchen)
b) will visit (werden besuchen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
5. He ______ a new job next week. He signed the contract yesterday.
is going to start
a) is going to start (wird beginnen)
b) will start (wird beginnen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
6. I ______ a new car soon. I’ve already saved enough money.
am going to buy
a) am going to buy (werde kaufen)
b) will buy (werde kaufen)
c) departs (fährt ab)
7. We ______ a movie tonight at 7 PM. We’ve already bought the tickets.
are going to watch
a) are going to watch (werden schauen)
b) will watch (werden schauen)
c) departs (fährt ab)
8. The flight ______ at 6 PM tonight. It’s printed on the ticket.
departs
a) departs (fliegt ab)
b) will depart (wird abfliegen)
c) is going to depart (wird abfliegen)
9. They ______ a party this Saturday. They’ve already sent the invitations.
are going to have
a) are going to have (werden haben)
b) will have (werden haben)
c) departs (fährt ab)
10. It ______ rain soon; look at those clouds!
is going to
a) will (wird)
b) is going to (wird bald)
c) departs
11. I ______ a new phone next month. I’ve been saving for it for months.
am going to buy
a) will buy (werde kaufen)
b) am going to buy (wird kaufen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
12. It ______ probably snow tomorrow. The weather report says so.
will
a) will (wird)
b) is going to (wird bald)
c) departs (fährt ab)
13. I ______ clean my room tomorrow. I’ve been planning it all week.
am going to clean
a) will clean (werde reinigen)
b) am going to clean (werde reinigen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
14. I think we ______ to the beach this weekend. The weather forcast says it’s going to be nice weather.
will go
a) will go (werden gehen)
b) are going to go (werden gehen)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
15. The store ______ at 8 AM every day. The opening hours are fixed.
opens
a) opens (öffnet)
b) will open (wird öffnen)
c) departs (fährt ab)
16. The meeting ______ at 10 AM on Monday. Everyone has been informed.
starts
a) starts (beginnt)
b) will start (wird beginnen)
c) is going to start (wird beginnen)
17. The movie ______ at 7:30 PM. It’s on the cinema schedule.
begins
a) begins (beginnt)
b) will begin (wird beginnen)
c) departs (fährt ab)
18. I hope the teacher ______ explain the lesson again. I’ll ask her.
will
a) will (wird)
b) is going to (wird bald)
c) departs (fährt ab)
19. I’m sure they ______ win the game, I’m sure. They’ve been practicing hard.
will
a) will (werden)
b) are going to (werden)
c) leaves (fährt ab)
20. The bus ______ at 5 PM sharp. The schedule says so.
arrives
a) arrives (kommt an)
b) will arrive (wird ankommen)
c) departs (fährt ab)