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Introduction
What are your predictions about the future? Neil and Pippa talk about what they think will happen in the future, and our grammar guru Georgie explains the grammar of future predictions. Learn to use 'will', 'going to' and how to use the future perfect tense.
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Grammar explanation
will and going to
These are often used interchangeably with no difference in use/meaning. Use both in one sentence to vary your language and avoid being repetitive.
Examples:
I think everyone's going to study at university in the future, so that'll mean that everyone is equally qualified – degrees won't matter as much.
People will continue moving to cities, so the countryside is probbaly going to be more natural.
going to
Use 'going to' when something seems certain because of evidence.
Examples:
She's going to pass her exams. She's studied so hard.
The weather is going to get hotter and wetter. We can already see the effects of climate change in lots of countries.
will
Use 'will' for general predictions, beliefs and predicted effects/responses to something.
Examples:
I think people will have less money in the future.
It'll rain later. It always does at this time of year!
by + time/date
will have + past participle (the future perfect tense)
This is often used for predictions personal to you. Use this to describe an action that you predict will be completed at some point in the future
Examples:
By the end of the day, I will have finished all of my work. Then I can finally relax!
You'll have qualified as a doctor by this time next year. Not long to go now!
To do
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