Future Forms
BasicFuture.
- will = prediction / instant decision / promise: I will pack an umbrella.
- be going to = plan and intention: I am going to keep a travel diary.
- present continuous = fixed arrangement: We are leaving on the third. (tickets booked)
文體小知識：will, going to or present continuous?
§Text Passage
1The summer holidays are coming, and my family has made some exciting plans. We are going to visit my grandmother in Chengdu in July. My father has already booked the train tickets, so we are leaving on the third. I think the high-speed train will be faster than the plane this time. My sister promises that she will not argue with me on the long journey. Shall we bring Grandma some pineapple cakes from Hong Kong?
2My mother is meeting her old classmate in Chengdu, so she is staying an extra week with my aunt. That is a fixed arrangement, and her flight is already booked. I am not sure what the weather will be like, but I will pack an umbrella just in case. My father says he will buy a new camera before the trip. I am going to keep a travel diary this year, and I will show it to my class in September.
3To sum up, we use will for predictions and promises, be going to for plans and intentions, and the present continuous for fixed arrangements. For example, “it will rain” is a prediction; “I am going to learn” is a plan. “We are flying on Monday” is an arrangement. My sister has made me a promise: she will carry my bag on the train if I share my snacks with her.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
The summer holidays are coming, and my family has made some exciting plans.
暑假快到了，我們一家訂了一些令人興奮的計劃。
We are going to visit my grandmother in Chengdu in July.
我們打算七月到成都探望祖母。
My father has already booked the train tickets, so we are leaving on the third.
爸爸已經訂了火車票，所以我們三號出發。
I think the high-speed train will be faster than the plane this time.
我想這次高鐵會比飛機快。
My sister promises that she will not argue with me on the long journey.
妹妹答應在漫長的旅途中不會跟我吵架。
Shall we bring Grandma some pineapple cakes from Hong Kong?
我們要不要帶些香港鳳梨酥給祖母？
My mother is meeting her old classmate in Chengdu, so she is staying an extra week with my aunt.
媽媽會在成都見她的舊同學，所以她會跟姨媽多留一星期。
That is a fixed arrangement, and her flight is already booked.
這是固定的安排，她的機票也已訂好。
I am not sure what the weather will be like, but I will pack an umbrella just in case.
我不肯定天氣會怎樣，但我會帶備雨傘以防萬一。
My father says he will buy a new camera before the trip.
爸爸說他會在出發前買一部新相機。
I am going to keep a travel diary this year, and I will show it to my class in September.
我今年打算寫旅行日記，九月會拿給全班看。
To sum up, we use will for predictions and promises, be going to for plans and intentions, and the present continuous for fixed arrangements.
總結來說，will 用於預測和承諾，be going to 用於計劃和打算，而現在進行式用於固定安排。
For example, “it will rain” is a prediction; “I am going to learn” is a plan.
例如「it will rain」是預測，「I am going to learn」是計劃。
“We are flying on Monday” is an arrangement.
「We are flying on Monday」則是安排。
My sister has made me a promise: she will carry my bag on the train if I share my snacks with her.
妹妹跟我許下承諾：只要我分她零食，她就會在火車上幫我拿袋。
1Summary 重點摘要
Future.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Prediction.
Plan.
Suggestion.
Fixed plan.
Guess future.
Intention.
Fixed meeting.
I will...
3Step by step Steps
- WillPredictions and promises: I think the high-speed train will be faster than the plane. My sister promises that she will not argue with me.
- Going toPlans made before speaking: We are going to visit my grandmother in Chengdu in July. I am going to keep a travel diary this year.
- Present continuousFixed arrangements: We are leaving on the third — the tickets are already booked. My mother is meeting her old classmate in Chengdu.
- will to predictWhat you believe: I am not sure what the weather will be like, but I will pack an umbrella just in case — instant decisions use will too.
- be going toIntention first: I am going to keep a travel diary this year, and I will show it to my class in September.
- ArrangementsOnly when everything is booked: her flight is already booked → she is staying an extra week with my aunt.
- Shall weShall we bring Grandma some pineapple cakes from Hong Kong? — suggesting something for the group.
- Memory hookprediction/promise → will; plan → going to; booked → present continuous: it will rain · I am going to learn · We are flying on Monday.
5Worked example Example
Based on the passage, write one sentence with each future form (will, be going to, present continuous) about your summer plans, and explain why each form fits.
- Step 1: will for predictions and instant decisions — I am not sure what the weather will be like, but I will pack an umbrella.
- Step 2: be going to for plans and intentions — I am going to keep a travel diary this summer.
- Step 3: present continuous for fixed arrangements — We are leaving on the third of July; Dad has already booked the tickets.
- Step 4: Shall we…? for suggestions — Shall we bring Grandma some pineapple cakes?
- Step 5: Check with the rule — prediction → will; plan → going to; booked → present continuous
- Answer: This summer, we are going to visit my grandmother in Chengdu. We are leaving on the third of July because Dad has already booked the train tickets — that is a fixed arrangement, so we use the present continuous. I am going to keep a travel diary this year; that is my plan and intention. I am not sure what the weather will be like, but I will pack an umbrella just in case — that is a prediction. Shall we bring Grandma some pineapple cakes from Hong Kong?
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is will for?
Q2What is going to for?
Q3What is fixed arrangement?
Q4What is shall for?
Q5What is a promise?
8Recap Recap
- will = prediction / instant decision / promise: I will pack an umbrella.
- be going to = plan and intention: I am going to keep a travel diary.
- present continuous = fixed arrangement: We are leaving on the third. (tickets booked)
- Shall we…? makes suggestions — Shall we bring Grandma some cakes?
- Rule of thumb: prediction → will · plan → going to · booked → present continuous