Future plans: discussing intentions and predictions
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Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.
- How far ahead do you usually plan your life? For example, do you plan your week, your month, or your year?
- Think about your last holiday. Was it carefully planned, or was it more spontaneous? Which style of travel do you prefer and why?
- What is one prediction you have for the world in the next ten years? It could be about technology, work, or the environment.
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Making Future Plans
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the audio recording.
01What are Marco's confirmed plans for the summer?
Sample answerHe is visiting his family in Italy. He says the trip is 'all sorted'.
02What is Marco's professional goal for after his trip?
Sample answerHe hopes to find a new job in marketing.
03How certain is Marco about his next step in finding a job?
Sample answerHe is not very certain. He says his next step is 'a bit up in the air'.
04What does Marco say about his plans for the next five years?
Sample answerHe says he hasn't really thought that far ahead.
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Grammar: Talking about the future
Grammar
In English, we use different forms to talk about the future. We choose 'will', 'be going to', or the present continuous depending on whether we are talking about a spontaneous decision, a firm plan, a fixed arrangement, or a prediction. Understanding the difference helps you sound more natural when discussing your intentions.
Examples
I'm going to look for a new job next year.
Use 'be going to' for plans and intentions you have already decided on.
We're meeting the project manager on Friday morning.
Use the present continuous for fixed future arrangements, especially with a specific time or place.
I think the new strategy will be a success.
Use 'will' for predictions based on your opinion or for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking.
Key points
- Use 'be going to' for intentions and plans made before speaking.
- Use the present continuous for fixed arrangements with other people.
- A common mistake is using 'will' for pre-decided plans; use 'be going to' instead.
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Spot the mistake
Read the sentences below about future plans and predictions.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01Look at the traffic! We will be late for the meeting.
Corrected version
Look at the traffic! We will are going to be late for the meeting.
02I'm going to see the dentist tomorrow at 10 AM; I booked the appointment last week.
Corrected version
I'm going to see seeing the dentist tomorrow at 10 AM; I booked the appointment last week.
03What's the weather intend for this weekend?
Corrected version
What's the weather intend forecast for this weekend?
04I'm really looking forward for my holiday next month.
Corrected version
I'm really looking forward for to my holiday next month.
05The phone is ringing. I'm going to answer it.
Corrected version
The phone is ringing. I'm going to I'll answer it.
06We made a spontaneously decision to go to the beach.
Corrected version
We made a spontaneously spontaneous decision to go to the beach.
07Our flight will leave at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Corrected version
Our flight will leave leaves at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
08She is planning buy a new car next year.
Corrected version
She is planning to buy a new car next year.
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Key vocabulary for future plans
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally when discussing future plans and predictions.
Examples
To look forward to (something) — to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen.
This is a common phrasal verb. Remember to use the '-ing' form of the verb that follows it. For example: 'I'm looking forward to seeing you,' not '...to see you'.
To be up in the air — when a plan or decision is uncertain and has not been decided yet.
Use this informal idiom when you can't give a definite 'yes' or 'no' about a future plan. For example: 'Our holiday plans are still up in the air'.
In the long run — over a long period of time in the future.
This phrase is useful for making predictions or discussing the final result of a plan. The opposite is 'in the short run'. Example: 'Studying hard now will help you in the long run'.
To set a goal — to decide on something you want to achieve in the future.
This is a strong collocation. We often talk about setting 'clear goals', 'realistic goals', or 'long-term goals'.
Fingers crossed — a phrase used to say you hope something will happen in the way you want.
You can say this on its own ('Fingers crossed!') or as part of a sentence ('I have a job interview tomorrow, so fingers crossed'). It's often said while physically crossing your fingers.
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01I'm really looking to starting my new job next month; I'm so excited.
02We haven't decided where to go on holiday yet; everything is still up in the .
03Studying hard now might be difficult, but it will be worth it in the long .
04My main for this year is to save enough money to buy a new car.
05I have my driving test tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers for me!
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Useful phrases: catching up with a friend
Vocabulary
When you see a friend you haven't seen for a while, it's natural to talk about your lives and future plans. Here are some common phrases to help you have a smooth and natural conversation.
Examples
'So, what's on the horizon for you?' — a friendly way to ask about someone's general future plans.
Register: Informal. Use this with friends or close colleagues to open a conversation about the future. It's more interesting than just asking 'What are your plans?'
'I'm hoping to [travel to Japan] next year.' — to talk about a future plan that you really want to happen, but isn't 100% certain yet.
Register: Neutral/Informal. Use this to express a strong wish or intention. Replace the part in brackets with your own goal, for example, '...get a new job' or '...move to a new apartment'.
'That sounds like a great plan.' — to react positively and give encouragement about someone's idea.
Register: Informal/Neutral. A simple and effective way to show you support your friend's intentions. You can also say 'That sounds amazing!' or 'Good for you!'
'I haven't really thought that far ahead.' — to say you don't have any long-term plans at the moment.
Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this when someone asks about your plans for the distant future (e.g., next year, in five years) and you don't have an answer. It sounds more natural than 'I don't know'.
'I'm sure you'll do great.' — to make a positive prediction to encourage someone.
Register: Informal/Neutral. Perfect for when a friend tells you they are starting something new or challenging, like a new job, a course, or a big project.
'It's all sorted.' — to confirm that a plan is finalized and all arrangements have been made.
Register: Informal. Use this to show that a plan is no longer just an idea. For example, if you're talking about a holiday, this means the flights and hotel are booked.
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Vocabulary for making plans
Learn these useful words for talking about future arrangements and goals.
Match each word on the left with its correct definition on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Planning for tomorrow
Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.
Some people have their entire lives mapped out. They set a goal for where they want to be in five years and create a detailed timeline to get there. For them, knowing what they are going to do next week, next month, and even next year provides a sense of security. They believe this careful preparation will help them succeed in the long run.
On the other hand, many people find this level of planning stressful. For them, most things are still up in the air. They enjoy making spontaneous decisions and seeing where life takes them. They don't have a strict plan, but they look forward to the unexpected opportunities that might appear. Perhaps they will start a new business, or maybe they will move to another country. They just keep their fingers crossed and hope for the best. Both approaches have their benefits, and finding a balance is often the key to a happy future.
01According to the text, why do some people like to make detailed plans?
Sample answerIt gives them a sense of security and they believe it helps them succeed in the long run.
02What does it mean when someone's plans are 'up in the air'?
Sample answerIt means their plans are uncertain and have not been decided yet.
03How do people who prefer a spontaneous approach feel about the future?
Sample answerThey look forward to unexpected opportunities and hope for the best, rather than following a strict plan.
04What does the author suggest is the best approach to planning for the future?
Sample answerThe author suggests that finding a balance between planning and being spontaneous is often the best approach.
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- Think about a personal or professional goal you have set for yourself. What are you most looking forward to about achieving it, and what parts of your plan are still up in the air?
- Some people believe it's better to have a detailed life plan, while others prefer to be spontaneous. Which approach do you think leads to more happiness in the long run, and why?
- In your culture, how do people generally talk about uncertain future plans? For example, is it common to say things like 'fingers crossed', or are people more private about their hopes?