Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997
15 Going to or Will? It’s going to rain. He 'll be 20 tomorrow
Quick reference
• We use going to to talk about future actions we have already decided to do.
Why do you need your driving licence? - Because I’m going to hire a car
• We use going to to predict a future event which seems certain because of present evidence.
Look out! That tree’s going to fall.
• We use was/were going to to talk about intentions or plans we had in the past (but we’ve now changed our plans).
I was going to phone you, but I didn’t have your number.
• We normally use will/tvon’t for simple predictions.
I'm sure you’ll pass the exam. It’s Sunday tomorrow. There won’t be much traffic.
• We use will for intentions where we decide at the moment of speaking.
It’s hot in here. - I’ll open a window. Do you want a drink? - Yes, I’ll have a beer.
1 Neil is going on holiday to Spain. He is taking these things with him.
Write sentences about what he is going to do. Use these verbs.
visit
write
hire
play
sunbathe
go snorkelling
swim
read
take
Example: He's going to swim.
1 ... 2 ...
3 ... 4 ...
5 ... 6 ...
7 ... 8 ...
2 A hotel receptionist is talking to a guest. The things she says are all examples of:
A intentions where we have already decided to do something.
В intentions where we decide at the moment of speaking.
C predictions of future events which seem certain because of present evidence.
Read the sentences and then write A, В or C in the brackets.
1 How long are you going to stay?
2 There’s a big conference on in the hotel so we’re going to be very busy.
3 Are you going to pay by credit card?
4 Can I have your passport please? I’ll let you have it back tomorrow.
5 I’ll see if I can find you a room with a view.
6 It’s going to be fine tomorrow. I’ve heard the weather forecast.
7 Are you going to have dinner in our restaurant?
8 I’ll find a porter to take your luggage.
[…]
[…] …
3 Jerome works in a shop. He is on the phone to a friend. These are the things he says. Match the sentences on the left and right.
1 I’m not enjoying this job.
2 But I’ve got no qualifications,
3 I’m free on Saturday.
4 I’ve heard the weather forecast.
5 We could meet at the river bridge at 9.00.
6 Someone’s just come in.
a) so it’s not going to be easy.
b) It’s going to be fine.
c) I’ll ring you back.
d) I’m not going to work.
e) I’m going to look for a new one.
f) I’ll bring two fishing rods.
1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6...
4 The following short conversations were heard at a party. Put the verb into the future with will or going to.
1 A: Red or white wine?
В: I (have) ... red please.
3 E: I’m tired. I (sit) ... down.
F: I (come) ... and sit next to you.
5 I: Why do you need the phone?
J: Because I (phone) ... for a taxi.
I: Don’t bother. I (give) ... you a lift.
2 C: It’s very hot in here.
D: I (open) ... the window.
4 G: The phone’s ringing.
H: Don’t worry. I (answer) … it.
6 К: I (leave) ... now.
L: OK. I (ring) ... you tomorrow.
5 Two friends are leaving work together. Some of the lines of the dialogue are correct and some have a mistake. If a line is correct put a tick (/) after it. If a line has a mistake in it, underline the mistake and write the correction in the brackets.
’Where will you eat tonight?’
’At home. I’ve got a new Indian cook book so I’ll make a curry.’
’Why not come to my place and I’m going to cook us both something.’ ’Won’t you see Ned this evening?’
’No, I’ve finished with Ned. I’m not going to see him again - ever.’
’OK. I’m going to come round at 8 and I'll bring a bottle of wine.’
’Fine. I’ll see you then.’
(1...) (5...)
(2...) (6...)
(3...) (7...)
(4...)
6 a) Write three simple predictions about the future. Example: / think Italy will win the World Cap.
b) Write three sentences about your plans or intentions for the future.
Example: I'm going to study law at university.
Check your answers with a teacher.