Verbs_and_Verb_Phrases_Future_Tense.pptx

verb and verb phrases

1. Verbs and Verb Phrases: Future Tense An Overview of Future Tense in English

2. Introduction • The concept of future tense in English is controversial. • Unlike past and present tense, future tense is formed using auxiliary verbs 'shall' and 'will'. • Future tense is often more modal than temporal.

3. Usage of 'Will' and 'Shall' • 'I will' is far more common in spoken English. • 'Shall' is mainly reserved for formal or legal language. • 'Will' often conveys intention, volition, or prediction. - e.g., 'I will return the book tomorrow.' (Intention) - e.g., 'He’ll hand in the essay on Friday.' (Prediction)

4. Present Tense for Future Time • Present tense can indicate scheduled or arranged future events. - e.g., 'Bayern Munich play Real next week.' - e.g., 'Jennifer is leaving for York tomorrow.'

5. 'Going to' for Future • 'Going to' emphasizes inevitability or imminence. - e.g., 'It’s going to snow. Look at the sky.' • Unlike 'will', 'going to' often refers to decisions already made.

6. Imminent Future Constructions • 'Be about to' and 'be on the point of' refer to immediate future events. - e.g., 'I was just about to give up when the mist cleared.' - e.g., 'I was on the point of buying the house when I heard the news.'

7. Summary • English does not have a 'true' future tense like past or present. • Future time references often involve modal constructions like 'will', 'shall', or 'going to'. • Present tense is also widely used for scheduled future events.