Lingoda Group Class Notes 44
Topic: Reviewing the future tenses Relatedskill: Grammar
Date: 14 November 2024 Teacher:Bernie
What I've learned
Idioms
in the fast lane - Meaning: in a way that is exciting and slightly dangerous - Example: I lived life in the fast lane when I was younger.
Vocabularies & Phrases
| V&P | Definiation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| take things as they come | 既来之，则安之 | I don't like to plan, I like to take things as they come. |
| kick back and relax | 放松；好好休息 | I can't wait to kick back and relax on holiday. |
Grammar
Using the present for the future
In some specific cases, a common way to talk about the future in English is to use the present simple. This is when a fixed arrangement is due to take place in the near future (same day, coming days or weeks).
- We leave tomorrow at 6am.
- Next Wednesday, I'm at a concert.
- He goes to Paris next week.
In all of these cases, the future with going to would be equally natural; the future with will would sound formal.
Another possibility is to use the present continuous.
- We 're leaving tomorrow at 6am.
- He 's going to Paris next week.
Remember: The present continuous cannot be used withto be as the main verb.
✘ Next Wednesday, I'm being at a concert ✓ Next Wednesday, I'm at aconcert. ✓ Next Wednesday, I'm going to be at a concert. ✓ NextWednesday, I'll be at a concert.
Using the future continuous
The future continuous is formed using will + be + present participle of the main verb. It adds another shade of meaning to the simple future and present tenses used for the future.
- I'm going on holiday tomorrow. By this time next week, I'llbe sipping cocktails on a sun-lounger(阳光躺椅).
- She says that the cruise will be a great opportunity to meet peopleand that she'll be chatting to everyone she comesacross.
- Look at those clouds. It'll be raining cats anddogs by the time we get back to the hotel.
Unlike other forms of the future, the future continuous cannot be used to describe plans or intentions. It always means that something will happen naturally or as a result of something else. Look at these contrasting examples.
I'm going to go on holiday next month. (goingto-future: I want to go on holiday and will make arrangements.)
I think I'll go on holiday next month.(will-future/future simple: I want to go on holiday and there's noreason I can't.)
I'll be going on holiday next month. (futurecontinuous: I've already made the arrangements so it's going tohappen.)
Time and cause
The two most common uses for the future continuous are to talk about things that will be happening at a certain time and things that will be happening in the natural course of events.
Adverbial constructions like By this time next tomorrow/nextweek/next year or At 8:00 on 14th March oftenlead to the future continuous.
Things that will happen in the future without interference are bestdescribed using the future continuous.
Understanding the future with 'going to' and 'will'
There are two ways of forming the future of verbs in English.
Going to
The future can be expressed with going to + infinitive (without to).
- It’s going to be a great holiday!
- We're going to go to Tenerife again next year.
- I’m going to take some time off as soon as Ican.
Will
The future can also be expressed with will + infinitive (without to).
- Our holiday will begin the moment we leave thehouse.
- In 50 years’ time, these holiday photos will stillmake me smile.
- Our next trip abroad will probably be atChristmas.
Using going to and will
In many cases, there is no difference between the future with going to and with will.
If there is strong evidence for something, or something has already started happening, we use going to:
- The flight hasn't even come up on the board yet. They’regoing to be delayed.
- From what I hear, tickets for the festival are going togo on sale on Tuesday.
If we are making a guess about what will happen or expressing a belief, we use will:
- I don’t think he'll like Turkey. It's too hot therefor his tastes!
- They sounded quite certain that the cruise willhappen.
Review
4/5
Same teacher possibility: 80%
Bernie is excellent at explaining grammar. He uses both visuals and examples to clarify subtle differences in grammar. He also consistently points out our mistakes during speaking. Additionally, he goes beyond Lingoda's teaching materials to teach in a more engaging and accessible way. I enjoy his teaching style and hope to see him in a speaking or communication class.