[Grammar] how to express future

[Fredensborg]

The exercise is about how to express future in English. We are given a sentence, which may be correct/not be correct. If necessary we have to correct the verb.

I have written down all the solutions which are correct as I see them, but are they right?


Regards,
Fredensborg


1
Correct/incorrect: We start in a minute
My solutions:

We shall/will start in a minute (neutral, formal)



We start in a minute (due to a timetable)



We are to start in a minute (we are ordered to do it)


We are starting in a minute (time is very near)


We are going to start in a minute (it is planned)


We are about to start in a minute (time is as near as it can be)


​

2
Correnct/incorrect: If you don't stop now, I am late for work
My solutions:

If you don't stop now, I'll be late for work (neutral)


If you don't stop now, I am going to be late for work (consequence)


? Other possibilities ?


​

3
Correct/incorrect: Do you think we win the football match tomorrow?
My solutions:

Do you think we shall/will win the football match tomorrow? (neutral, formal)


Do you think we are going to win the football match tomorrow? (prediction from what is known)


? Other possibilities?


​

4
Correct/incorrect: When are you finished?
My solutions:

When will you be finished? (neutral) (


? Other possibilities?





​

5
Correct/incorrect: The weather forecast says that it snows tomorrow
My solutions:

The weather forecast says that it will snow tomorrow (neutral, formal)
The weather forecast says that it is going to snow tomorrow (consequence of what we know about the weather today, informal)
? Other possibilities?


​

6
Correct/incorrect: How does he develop over the next year, do you think?
My solutions:

How will he develop over the next year, do you think? (neutral)
How is he going to develop over the next year, do you think? (based on how he is today)
? Other possibilities?
​

7
Correct/incorrect: The next train for London leaves at 8 p.m.
My solutions:

The next train for London will leave at 8 p.m. (neutral)
The next train for London leaves at 8 p.m. (timetable)
The next train for London is to leave at 8 p.m. (ordered to leave, arranged)
The next train for London is leaving at 8 p.m. (near future)
The next train for London is going to leave at 8 p.m. (due to a plan, intention)
? Other possibilities
​

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

That's a lot of questions for one post, compadre. I'd advise you to break them up across 3 or 4 separate threads. Here's my opinion on your first two questions:

1) All of your answers work. I wouldn't use 'shall', however. It sounds a little archaic. All of them are valid responses to the question "When are we going to start?", though some apply in other contexts, as well. For instance, if someone asked me if he had time to use the restroom, I'd be more inclined to use the 5th or 6th response in your post. They both emphasize how close the start time is.

2) Again, both of your answers are fine. I wouldn't say the first response is 'neutral', especially if you put stress on 'will' as you say it.

 

[emsr2d2]

I promised myself I wouldn't respond to any more "future" questions because I've found myself unconvinced by so many of the apparent differences between "shall", "will" and "am/are/is going to" in other threads.

Just to prove that my view hasn't changed (!), as far as I'm concerned ...

Do you think we shall/will win the football match tomorrow?
Do you think we are going to win the football match tomorrow?

... mean exactly the same thing.

 

[Fredensborg]

Thank you so much for answering.

Fredensborg

 

[Fredensborg]

Also a big thank you to you.

Fredensborg