THE FUTURE
You have already learnt that the English verb has two tense forms — the Present and the Past. These two tense forms are mainly used to talk about actions or events taking place in the present or past time respectively.
For Example:
1. Mr Dash teaches us English. (Present tense form for the present time)
2.Mr. Pradhan taught us English last year. (Past tense form for the past time)
In sentence (1) teaches is the simple present tense form and it tells us about an action that takes place in the present time i.e. now. In the second sentence taught is the past tense form of teach and it tells us about an action that took place in the past i.e. last year. But English verbs have no specific future tense forms. When we want to talk about a future action or event, we use several other ways to express it.
Look at the following sentences.
3.I shall surely come with you.
4.The sky is clear. It’s going to be a sunny day.
5.Tomorrow is Sunday.
6.Lucy is coming here tomorrow.
All the above sentences refer to the future time. In sentence (3) the speaker is expressing a wish or promise to do something in the future. In sentence (4) we have said that the day will be sunny because we have got its indication in the clear sky at the moment of speaking. In sentence (5) we are talking about something that will happen naturally whether we want it or not. In sentence (6) we are talking about Lucy’s plan for tomorrow. Note that we have used different verb forms to talk about the future. These verb forms also indicate whether the action will happen because of the speaker’s wishes, plans, arrangements or because of a natural process.
We mainly use the following verb forms to indicate the future.
(i) Be going to + Main verb in the base form.
We are going to meet the president tomorrow.
(ii) The present continuous (Be+ Main verb in the ing form)
I am building a house very soon.
(ii) The present simple
Our examination starts tomorrow.
(iv) Will/Shall+ Main verb in the base form.
I shall/will go home next week.
Now let us discuss how and when we use the above verb forms to talk about the future.
FORM
(i) Be going to+ Main verb in the base form:
Be going to has three different forms for different subjects. Look at the examples:
(a) I am going to I build a house.
(b) He/She/ Subir is going to build a house.
(c) We/You/They are going to build a house.
In the above sentences you will find that the verb ‘be’ changes according to the subjects. In negative sentences ‘not’ is used after the be verb.
Example: He is not going to help you.
USE:
(a) To talk about the future fulfillment of a present plan or intention:
6. I am going to visit my parents tomorrow.
7. Raman is going to paint a picture.
8. What are you going to do in the afternoon?
In the above sentences we are talking about the personal intention, plan or decision of the speaker or the doer of the action. Sentence (6) tells us about the speaker’s intention or decision to visit his parents, sentence (7) about Raman’s plan to paint a picture. Sentence (8) asks a question to know about a person’s plan or intention for the afternoon. The time indicated in the sentences is the future. The subjects here are either in the first or third person in a declarative sentence. In question sentences they are usually in the second or third person.
(b) To talk about a future fulfillment of a present cause or indication (to say that something will happen because the cause is seen/ felt in the present moment).
9. The sky is cloudy. It is going to rain soon.
10. You are late. You are going to miss the train.
11. Look, the man is going to fall.
In the above sentences the speaker expects or concludes something to happen in the future. His conclusion is based on his observation of some external cause or arrangement that already exists at the moment of his speaking he sees black clouds in the sky. Similarly in sentence (10) You will miss the train because its cause (= You are late) exists at the moment of speaking .In sentence (11) the speaker concludes that the man will fall because its cause (=he has lost his balance on the tight rope) is clearly seen by him.
EXERCISE-1
Complete the sentences using the correct form of be going to and choosing the appropriate verb given in the box below.
| Dismiss, finish, be, marry, fail, sell, borrow, send, have, close |
Example: Q. Look at the bright sun. It ______very hot today.
Ans. Look at the bright sun. It is going to be very hot today.
1. Madhu is not working hard. He ______his examination.
2. My car is old. I______ it.
3. It is four o’clock. The school_____soon.
4. Raman is a lazy worker. The manager_____him.
5. I need some money. I ______ some from my friend.
6. Mary is buying some ornaments. She _______ next week.
7. My son is five already. I _______him to school soon.
8. The children are tired. They______ some rest now.
9. You are eating a lot. You_______ fat very soon.
10. I am writing the last chapter. I _____ the book very soon.