Upper Intermediate Unit 3a
Upper Intermediate Unit 3a
Upper Intermediate Unit 3a
A: Ah! So you’ve got two kids now. I didn’t know! How old’s your youngest?
B: She’s two. She’ll be three on Sunday. We’re going to have a party. There’ll
be fun and games for the kids, and food and drink for the adults.
A: Where are you having it?
B: At the café in the park. There’s plenty of room for the kids to run around,
and we’re going to get a clown to come and do a little show.
A: Sounds like it’ll be great fun!
B: Fancy coming? The show starts at five.
A: Er, no thanks. Maybe I’ll join you for ten minutes to say hello. I’m not really
that good with kids!
Presentation
Present simple going to and will
Use the present simple for timetabled or scheduled You can use both going to and will:
events in the future: • to talk about future facts and inevitable events:
The show starts at five. She’ll be / She’s going to be three next birthday.
• to make predictions about the future: It’ll be great
Present continuous and going to
fun. / It’s going to be great fun.
You can use both the present continuous and going to to Use going to when you make a prediction based on
talk about plans and arrangements in the future. They information in the present situation:
can often be used with the same meaning:
Look at those clouds! Get in the car, it’s going to rain!
We’re going to have a party.
You often use will with verbs like think, expect, imagine:
Where are you having it?
I think it’ll be OK. I expect he’ll be here on time.
We’re having it in the park. I imagine he’ll call later today.
Use the present continuous (and not going to) when a To talk about decisions, I’m going to … and I’ll … are
formal arrangement has been made: both used.
I’m having a party tomorrow. Use going to to talk about a decision that has been made
We’re flying to Barcelona tomorrow. We booked the before the moment of speaking:
tickets last week. I’m going to get a bus.
Use going to (and not present continuous) to talk Use will to talk about a decision that is made at the
about personal intentions when there is no clear moment of speaking:
time reference or expression: Oh no! It’s really late. I’ll call a taxi!
I’m going to study hard for my exams. (5 I intend to See page 236: Summary of future forms
study hard in the future.)
I’m studying hard for my exams. (5 I’m studying hard
NOW.)
TIP
Younormally use the verbs go and come in the
present continuous, not with going to.
Say Are you going to the party? (don’t say Are you
going to go to the party?)