The Plan — Future Forms (B1 Grammar)

B1 - future forms

The Plan

PICTURE

(you add this)

Twenty years in insurance. Two meetings arranged. One wife who still knows nothing.

*going to* · present continuous for arrangements · *will / won't* · *shall*

Listening

Speaking

LEAD-IN

How risky?

Rank these life decisions from most to least risky. Then compare with a partner.

• Quitting a safe job to start a business.

• Moving to another country for a partner.

• Having a baby before you feel "ready".

• Telling your family a big secret.

PICTURE

(you add this)

BEFORE YOU LISTEN

Two friends, one coffee

You will hear Dan telling his friend Priya something he has decided. Listen once for the big picture.

LISTEN FOR

PICTURE

1. What is Dan planning to do?

2. What hasn't he done yet?

3. How does Priya react?

(you add this)

LISTENING

Tapescript: "The Plan"

PRIYA Dan! Over here. I got you a coffee.

DAN Ah, cheers. Listen, I need to tell you something, and you're going to think I've lost my mind.

PRIYA Go on.

DAN I'm going to quit my job. I've decided. Twenty years in insurance is enough. I'm going to open a bar.

PRIYA A bar? Dan, you're forty-six.

DAN Exactly. If I don't do it now, I never will. And it's not just a dream — things are already moving. I'm meeting the bank on Thursday morning, and I'm seeing the owner of the property on Friday. It's that empty place on Weaver Street, next to the station.

PRIYA Hang on — you've already arranged meetings? What does Karen think about all this?

DAN ...Ah. Well. That's the thing.

PRIYA Dan. You haven't told your wife.

DAN I'm going to tell her! Tonight. Probably tonight.

PRIYA "Probably"! She's going to go absolutely crazy, you know that.

DAN She won't. OK, she will, at first. But look at the numbers — a bar by the station? It'll make money in the first year, I'm sure of it. People will always want somewhere to drink after work.

PRIYA Or she'll say twenty years of pension is a lot to throw away. Look, I won't say anything to anyone until you've talked to her. I promise. But tell her tonight, Dan. Don't let her hear it from someone else.

DAN You're right. I know you're right.

PRIYA Shall I come with you to the bank on Thursday? I did the accounts for my sister's café — I know what they'll ask.

DAN Would you? That would be brilliant.

PRIYA Fine. But you're buying the coffees for the next twenty years.

DAN Deal. And Priya? When it opens — the first drink's on me. I'll even name a cocktail after you.

COMPREHENSION

Who says it — Dan (D) or Priya (P)? What are they talking about?

1. "I'm meeting the bank on Thursday morning."

2. "She's going to go absolutely crazy."

3. "It'll make money in the first year."

4. "I won't say anything to anyone."

5. "Shall I come with you?"

GRAMMAR FOCUS

Match each sentence (1–5 above) to its function.

FUNCTIONS

an offer

a promise

a fixed arrangement (already organised)

a prediction with evidence — you can see it coming

a prediction or opinion about the future

1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 ____

GRAMMAR FOCUS (continued)

Now answer these questions.

1. "I'm going to quit my job. I've decided." — Did Dan decide before or during the conversation? Which form do we use for decisions already made?

2. "I'm meeting the bank on Thursday." — Why present continuous and not going to? Is it just an intention, or is it in the diary?

3. "I'll even name a cocktail after you." — When did Dan decide this? Which form do we use for instant decisions, promises and offers?

4. "Shall I come with you?" — Which word do we use with I / we for offers and suggestions in questions?

THE RULES

Complete the rules

Complete each rule with going to, present continuous or will / won't.

• ________ + infinitive: plans and intentions decided before speaking; predictions based on evidence.

• ________: fixed arrangements, often with a time and a place — especially travel and meetings.

• ________: instant decisions, offers, promises, and predictions based on opinion.

CAREFUL

Use shall — not will — with I / we in question offers and suggestions: Shall I give you a hand?

PRACTICE

Complete B's reply with a future form of the verb in brackets.

Sometimes more than one answer is possible — be ready to justify your choice.

1. A: The baby's crying again.

B: Stay there — I ________ (go).

2. A: What are your plans for the summer?

B: We ________ (drive) down the coast of Portugal. We booked the ferry last week.

3. A: Have you told your parents yet?

B: Relax. I promise I ________ (tell) them this weekend.

4. A: Look at those clouds.

B: Yeah, it ________ (rain) any minute.

5. A: I can't carry all these boxes.

B: ________ I ________ (give) you a hand?

6. A: Do you think the bar will succeed?

B: Honestly? I think it ________ (fail) within a year.

SPEAKING

Role-play: telling Karen

• Student A is Dan, telling Karen tonight.

• Student B is Karen. Karen has questions: money? the house? the kids' university fees?

DAN MUST USE

PICTURE

• one plan (going to)

• one arrangement (present continuous)

• one promise and one offer (will / shall)

(you add this)

Then swap roles, new scenario: you are telling your parents / friend / boss that you are moving abroad.

TEACHER'S REFERENCE · HIDE OR DELETE BEFORE CLASS

Answer key

GIST He's going to quit his job and open a bar; he hasn't told his wife yet.

COMPREHENSION 1 D — his bank meeting. 2 P — Karen's reaction. 3 D — the bar's profits. 4 P — keeping the secret. 5 P — the bank meeting.

MATCHING 1 c · 2 d · 3 e · 4 b · 5 a

QUESTIONS 1 Before — going to for decisions already made. 2 It's in the diary, arranged with another person. 3 During the conversation — will for instant decisions, offers and promises. 4 shall.

RULES going to · present continuous · will / won't

PRACTICE 1 'll go. 2 're driving (arranged; 're going to drive also possible). 3 'll tell. 4 's going to rain. 5 Shall I give. 6 'll fail / is going to fail — both work: opinion vs evidence.