Making predictions in English

-
El gordo by Marccostablanca. CC-BY-SA
This post is about verb forms and expressions that we use in English to talk about what is going to happen in the future, i.e. predictions.

Look at the lottery ticket and answer these questions:
  1. Have you ever won the lottery?
  2. Would you like to win the lottery?
  3. How likely are you to win the lottery?
  4. If you won the lottery, what will you be doing next year?

These are some of the questions that you will answer in class today.


Making predictions in English
We can say how sure we feel about the future by using will, modal verbs, the future continuous and the future perfect. There are also other phrases we can use to express our certainty or uncertainty about future events.

Making a definite prediction with “will”
We use “will” in a definite prediction, when we know or believe that an event is certain.

  • The cost of tuition fees will continue to rise

We can make the prediction more or less certain by using
adverbs such as definitely, certainly, probably and modifiers such as almost or quite.
  • People will definitely earn more money in the future.
  • People definitely won’t earn more money in the future.
  • The cost of oil will almost certainly continue to rise.
Both of these sentences show that the speaker is sure.
  • You’ll probably enjoy this film.
  • You probably won’t enjoy this film.

Making an uncertain prediction with a modal verb
We use may or might for uncertain predictions, when we are not sure what will happen.
We can add well to add a greater degree of uncertainty.
  • She might pass the exam or she might not pass. I don’t know.
Here the speaker thinks she’s right in her prediction but isn’t 100% sure.


  • We might (well) run out of milk before the end of the weekend.

The speaker isn’t sure at all. You could also use could or may instead of might.

Making predictions with the future continuous and the future perfect
We use the future continuous“will be doing” to talk about something that is predicted to start before a particular point of future time. It is the result of a previous decision.


  • This time next year we’ll be generating our own electricity with our new solar panels.
  • James will be helping us to organise the party next month.


We use the future perfect “will have done” to say that something will be ended, completed or achieved by a particular point in the future.


  • By the time you get home I will have cooked dinner.
  • By the end of the week I will have finished the project.


Other expressions
There are some other ways to talk about how certain we are about something in the future.

1 I’m sure it will happen or will not happen
  • Jane is bound to pass the exam. She has worked really hard.
  • The library is bound not to open this afternoon.
  • Jane is certain to pass the exam.
  • It is certain that Jane will pass.

2 I think so but I’m not 100% sure
  • Katia is likely to pass the exam.
  • It is (highly) likely that Katia will pass the exam.
  • There’s a good chance that Katia will pass the exam.

3 I don’t think so or I don't think it will happen
  • Julian is unlikely to pass the exam.
  • It is highly unlikely that Julian will pass the exam.
  • There is a slim chance that Julian will pass.
  • There’s no chance of Julian passing the exam.
  • I doubt if Julian will pass.
  • There is no way that Julian will pass.
  • There is no doubt that Julian will fail.

Write predictions about the following topics. You can use some of the words in the box.
rise                  go down          get better         get worse         costly               win      work
English exam              travel abroad
1)      Unemployment in Spain
2)      University tuition fees
3)      Wind energy
4)      The lottery
5)      This time next year I………………………….
6)      By the end of next year……………………………

You can follow this British Council link if you feel you need further practice. 
Let me know how you get on with making predictions.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ADVANCED C1:Describing works of art

-
Image
Art beyond sight Look at the painting by John Sloan and answer the questions below: John Sloan. Sunday, Women drying their hair, 1912 What is the focal point (the place your eyes are drawn to? What can you see in the foreground? What can you see in the background on the right? and on the left? What is happening in the painting? Do you think there is a story behind the painting? If so, what is the story? Which of these words would you use to describe the light in the painting?                      bright         dazzling         harsh          rich          glowing       warm                     dim             gloomy          faint           soft                   7. Which of these words would you use to describe the mood or atmosphere ?           peaceful        relaxed        joyful             cheerful        happy depressed      gloomy       miserable      somber agressive       angry          distressing    frightening boring         
Read more

Prepositions

-
Image
Public domain Many students of English complain about how difficult it is to learn English prepositions. I agree. I remember, as an undergraduate, I had to memorise never-ending lists of prepostions, adverbials, phrasal verbs...I found it an impossible task. Look at the picture on your left. What is the meaning of   at your own risk ? Click on this dictionary and check. Listening An embarrassing anecdote This is from a VOA (Voice of America) recording. The presenter talks about a friend, a non-native English speaker, who tried to tell someone "you will hear from me" meaning he would get in touch. But instead of saying "I'll get back to you" , he said "I'll get back at you" which means "I'll take revenge". The wrong preposition sent a completely different message with embarrassing consequences. Listen to What difference does a preposition make? In this interview the presenters talk to Professor  David Thatcher. Tip:  I
Read more

Civil rights movement

-
Image
Martin Luther King Jr. Do you know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated in America on 20th January? He is one of the greatest and most influential figures in the American civil rights movement. We had the pleasure of listening to a visiting American speaker who came to our school to give a talk on the history and the impact of the civil rights movement. He talked about Martin Luther King Jr., but also about those who are not so well-known but paved the way for freedom . His life How much do you know about Martin Luther King Jr? Click on this BBC link and take notes. A bit of history of the civil rights movement. Reading and Speaking Look at the photos below. Do you know who they are? What did they do to pave the way for African-Americans? Click on the history of the civil rights movement and learn about the timeline of the civil rights movement in America. Takes notes. You are going to report your findings in class. The beginning of the civil rights
Read more