English Advanced Grammar Exercises – The future 1: will, be going to, present continuous, present simple

A. Cross out the ONE incorrect option.

1   I am going to cycle / am cycling / cycle into town. Can I get you anything?

2   We believe the company will create / is going to create / is creating more jobs in the area in the next year.

3   According to the weather forecast it snows / is going to snow / will snow later.

4   Now is a good time to buy a house, because prices will definitely go up / definitely go up / are definitely going to go up soon.

5   Chris isn’t going to come out / doesn’t come out / isn’t coming out with us next Saturday.

6   Do you watch / Are you watching / Are you going to watch the match tomorrow?

7   Hi Jon, it’s Trevor. Listen, we will have / are having / are going to have a barbecue on Sunday – do you want to come?

8   These flowers aren’t lasting / won’t last / aren’t going to last very long without water.

B. Complete the dialogues, using appropriate future forms of the verbs in brackets.

1   A:   It’s going to be a really boring party.

     B:   No it’s not. Graeme …………………… and he’s always good fun. (go)

2   A:   I’m sorry, we’ve run out of beef.

     B:   Oh, OK. I …………………… chicken then, please. (have)

3   A:   Why do you need a new laptop?

     B:   My old one’s very old and it …………………… working one of these days. (stop)

4   A:   Do you need a babysitter to look after the children tonight?

     B:   No, it’s OK. They …………………… with my mum. (stay)

5   A:   It’s a bit hot in here, isn’t it?

     B:   Just a second. I …………………… the window. (open)

6   A:   Have you got a hammer I can borrow?

     B:   No, sorry. Ask Terry. I bet he …………………… you one. (lend)

7   A:   Do you want to play tennis this afternoon?

     B:   I can’t. I …………………… my sister and her husband to the airport. (take)

8   A:   I’ve got an appointment with Doctor Patel.

     B:   That’s fine. Take a seat and we …………………… you when she’s free. (call)

C. Complete each sentence b so that it has a similar meaning to sentence a. Use two to six words, including the word in brackets.

1   a   What are your holiday plans for next summer? (you)

     b   …………………… on holiday next summer?

2   a   It’s Gary’s 21st birthday on Thursday. (be)

     b   Gary …………………… 21 on Thursday.

3   a   It’s going to be impossible for us to come on Friday. (able)

     b   We …………………… on Friday.

4   a   I’ve got an appointment with a new client this afternoon. (meeting)

     b   I …………………… this afternoon.

5   a   The departure time of your flight is 19.25. (at)

     b   Your …………………… 19.25.

6   a   There’s no chance of the situation improving in the next few years. (definitely)

     b   The situation …………………… in the next few years.

7   a   I haven’t seen Ellie for years. I don’t think I’ll recognise her. (bet)

     b   I haven’t seen Ellie for years. …………………… recognise her.

8   a   The Bank of England has announced an increase in interest rates for the end of the month. (is)

     b   The Bank of England …………………… at the end of the month.

D. Complete the dialogues, using the words in brackets and correct future verb forms.

1   A:   There’s no milk left.

     B:   OK. I …………………… in five minutes. (go / get / some. I / be / back)

2   A:   How are Sam’s exams going?

     B:   OK, I think. His last one …………………… when it’s over. (be / next Tuesday. He / be / very happy)

3   A:   I have to go now, but I’ll probably see you at Helen’s party on Saturday.

     B:   Actually, I …………………… . (go / away / for the weekend / so I / not / be able to go)

4   A:   We should get together soon. I haven’t seen you for ages.

     B:   Good idea! In fact, what …………………… . Would you like to come? (you / do / next weekend? I / have / a barbecue on Sunday)

5   A:   What kinds of new inventions can you imagine in the next 100 years?

     B:   I don’t know, but …………………… a machine for going back in time! (I / not / think / anyone / invent)

6   A:   When will I know the results of the interview?

     B:   Well, we …………………… early next week. (interview / more people this week, / then we / let you know / our decision)

7   A:   Where shall I meet you tonight? At the cinema?

     B:   No, the film …………………… in the Blue Cafe from about 7. (start / at 8 but / we / have a coffee first. / We / be)

8   A:   What’s the matter with Sue? She seems worried about something.

     B:   Yes, she is! She …………………… too difficult for her! (start / her new / job tomorrow. / She / think / it / be)

E. Complete the dialogues, using appropriate future forms of the verbs in brackets.

1   A:   ………………………………? (be)

     B:   On 22 April. She’ll be 17.

2   A:   ………………………………? (arrive)

     B:   Half past three. As long as it’s on time.

3   A:   ………………………………? (snow)

     B:   No, I don’t think so. It hardly ever snows here.

4   A:   ………………………………? (do)

     B:   I’m going to have dinner with some friends.

5   A:   ………………………………? (have)

     B:   Probably pasta or something like that.

6   A:   ………………………………? (win)

     B:   The next election? No idea! I hate politics!

7   A:   ………………………………? (buy)

     B:   I’m not sure. Maybe a book, because I know she likes reading.

8   A:   ………………………………? (stay)

     B:   No, with some friends actually. They live right next to the beach.

F. In your notebook, write replies to these people which are true for you. Use the future forms from this unit.

1   What are your plans for next weekend?

2   Sorry, there’s no chocolate left. We’ve only got strawberry or vanilla.

3   What do you think the main changes in your town will be in the next five years?

4   Tell me what ideas you’ve had for improving your English skills in the next few weeks.

5   What’s the weather forecast for the next couple of days?

6   What are all your friends doing for a holiday this year?

7   How do you see your next few years, from a professional point of view?

8   Maybe we can arrange a meeting. What’s your diary like for next week?

9   Thanks again for inviting me for dinner tonight. What’s on the menu?

10   We’re here on holiday. Do you know if any interesting things are happening in the next few days?

Example: 1   I’m probably going to stay at home.

G. Circle the correct option.

1   I’m feeling tired. I think …………. to bed.

      a   I go

      b   I’ll go

      c   I would go

2   How long …………. you to drive to our house next Tuesday?

      a   does it take

      b   is it taking

      c   will it take

3   I hope she …………. no tomorrow when I ask her to marry me.

      a   isn’t saying

      b   won’t say

      c   hasn’t said

4   I reckon …………. their wedding present when they open it.

      a   they’ll love

      b   they love

      c   they’re loving

5   I can’t go out with you tomorrow. …………. my sister move into her new flat.

      a   I help  

      b   I’ll help

      c   I’m helping