Unit 27: Talking about the Future
will, be going to, the Simple Present Tense

Can-do Goal

In this unit, you will learn how to talk about the future in English.

  • Use will for future events and quick decisions.
  • Use be going to for plans and intentions.
  • Use the Simple Present Tense for schedules and timetables.

Future Time Vocabulary

Useful Words and Phrases

Word/Phrase Meaning
tomorrow the day after today
next week the week after this week
next month the month after this month
next year the year after this year
soon in a short time
later after now
tonight this evening or night
Exercise Context
A cheerful family standing at a train station, looking at a timetable and talking about tomorrow's trip, bright daytime setting, simple travel plans, friendly atmosphere, useful for learning future expressions at A1-A2 level

Grammar 1: Will

Use: Future Events and Quick Decisions

We often use will when we decide something at the moment of speaking or when we make a prediction.

Form:

Subject + will + base verb

Examples:

  • I will call you tomorrow.
  • She will be happy.
  • It will rain tomorrow.
Negative: Subject + will not (won't) + base verb
Example: I won't stay at home tomorrow.
Question: Will + subject + base verb?
Example: Will you come to the party?

Grammar 2: Be Going To

Use: Planned Future Events

Use be going to when you already have a plan or intention.

Form:

Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Examples:

  • I am going to visit my grandmother next week.
  • They are going to play football tomorrow.
  • She is going to study tonight.
Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + going to + base verb
Example: We are not going to travel next month.
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
Example: Are you going to buy a new phone?

Grammar 3: Simple Present for Future Schedules

Use: Timetables and Fixed Schedules

Sometimes we use the Simple Present Tense to talk about future events that follow a schedule.

These are often trains, buses, flights, classes, and school timetables.

Form:

Subject + present tense verb

Examples:

  • The train leaves at 8:00 tomorrow.
  • School starts next Monday.
  • The plane arrives at 6 p.m.
Remember: The schedule is already fixed. We do not make the plan ourselves.

When Do We Use Each Form?

Form Use Example
will future prediction or quick decision I will help you.
be going to plan or intention I'm going to visit my friend.
Simple Present fixed schedule or timetable The bus leaves at 7:00.

Worked Examples

Example 1

Situation: Your friend looks tired.

Sentence: I will make you some tea.

Why? You decide at that moment to help.

Example 2

Situation: You bought a ticket yesterday.

Sentence: I am going to travel to Bangkok next week.

Why? The trip is already planned.

Example 3

Situation: You read a train timetable.

Sentence: The train leaves at 9:15 tomorrow morning.

Why? It is a fixed schedule.

Common Mistakes

❌ I going to study tonight.

✔ I am going to study tonight.

Remember to use am/is/are before going to.

❌ I will to call you.

✔ I will call you.

After will, use the base form of the verb.

❌ The train will leave at 7:00 every day.

✔ The train leaves at 7:00 every day.

Use the Simple Present for schedules.

🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

Will: Dùng khi quyết định ngay lúc nói hoặc dự đoán tương lai.

Ví dụ: "I will help you."

Be going to: Dùng cho kế hoạch đã có từ trước.

Ví dụ: "I am going to visit my grandmother."

Simple Present: Dùng cho lịch trình cố định như tàu, xe buýt, chuyến bay hoặc thời khóa biểu.

Ví dụ: "The train leaves at 8:00."

Mẹo nhớ:

  • Quyết định ngay → will
  • Có kế hoạch → be going to
  • Lịch trình cố định → Simple Present