Grammar: future and past sequencing

Vocabulary in this set

Choose natural future forms and show which past action happened first.

1. will for a quick decision

   Expression

   make a decision at the moment of speaking

   Will for a quick decision: I will call you tomorrow.

2. will for a prediction

   Expression

   make a neutral prediction about the future

   Will for a prediction: It will snow this weekend.

3. going to for an intention

   Expression

   describe a future intention or existing plan

   Going to for an intention: I am going to travel to Europe next year.

4. going to for present evidence

   Expression

   predict a result from evidence visible now

   Going to for present evidence: Those clouds are dark; it is going to rain.

5. present continuous for an arrangement

   Expression

   describe a fixed personal arrangement

   Present continuous for an arrangement: They are flying to Paris next week.

6. future continuous at a future time

   Expression

   describe an action in progress at a future time

   Future continuous at a future time: She will be visiting Paris next summer.

7. future continuous polite question

   Expression

   ask politely about someone's expected plans

   Future continuous polite question: Will you be joining us for the trip?

8. future perfect by a deadline

   Expression

   describe something completed before a future deadline

   Future perfect by a deadline: She will have completed the project by next month.

9. past perfect before simple past

   Expression

   show that one past action finished before another began

   Past perfect before simple past: We had already left when the storm began.

10. past perfect continuous before a past point

    Expression

    emphasize the duration of an action before a past point

    Past perfect continuous before a past point: She had been studying for hours before the exam.