UNIT 5. Future I

We use the future simple (will + bare infinitive) for:

· decisions made at the moment of speaking. It's cold in here - I'll close a window.

· predictions about the future, based on what we think, believe or imagine, using the verbs think, believe, expect, etc, the expressions be sure, be afraid, etc, and the adverbs probably, certainly, perhaps, etc. He will probably come later.

· promises, threats, warnings, requests, hopes, and offers. Will you help me wash the dishes?

We use be going to:

· for plans, intentions or ambitions for the future. He's going to be a lawyer when he finishes university.

· actions we have already decided to do in the near future. Peter is going to work with his uncle during the holidays.

· predictions based on what we can see or what we know, especially when there is evidence now that something will happen later. It's cloudy; it's going to rain tonight.

We use the present continuous for:

· definite arrangements for the future. I'm flying to Paris tomorrow. (I've bought my ticket.)

Grammar extra: Making predictions using words other than will

In formal writing we often use expressions other than will to predict the future (e.g. be likely to, be predicted to, be estimated to, be certain to):

The population is likely to increase to 22 million in 2011.