B1 PRELIMINARY · GRAMMAR · READING PART 6 & WRITING
Future forms: will, going to and the present continuous
Plans (I'm going to), arrangements (I'm meeting), predictions and offers (I'll).
Finn says
Emails in Writing Part 1 are full of future plans: 'I'm going to…', 'We're meeting at…', 'I'll bring…'. Choose the right one and your email sounds natural.
Three ways to talk about the future
going to
plans and intentions
I'm going to study medicine.
Present continuous
fixed arrangements with a time or place
I'm meeting Sara at six tomorrow.
will
decisions now, offers, promises, predictions
I'll carry that for you. I think it will rain.
Useful phrases
Offers
I'll … / Shall I …?
Shall I open the window?
Suggestions
Shall we …? / Let's …
Shall we go to the cinema?
Predictions with evidence
going to
Look at the sky – it's going to rain.
How it comes up in Part 6
In Reading Part 6 you write one word in each gap. The missing words are often small grammar words like these.
I am going to visit my cousins in the summer.
A plan: am + going to.
That bag looks heavy. Shall I help you?
An offer: Shall I…?
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret.
A promise, negative: won't (will not).
Common mistakes
- ✗ I will to call you later.✓ I will call you later.No 'to' after will.
- ✗ I'm going visit my aunt.✓ I'm going to visit my aunt.Don't forget 'to' after going.
- ✗ Tomorrow I meet my friends at 5.✓ Tomorrow I'm meeting my friends at 5.For an arrangement, use the present continuous.
Finn's exam tip
In your email, use 'going to' for your plans, the present continuous for arrangements with a time ('We're leaving at 9'), and 'I'll' when you offer something ('I'll bring some drinks').
Quick check
Write one word in each gap.
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