English Learning for Beginners: Future Plans
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, what are you up to this weekend? Any exciting plans, or just more homework?
Bob: Alice! Good to see you! This weekend? Hmm, I’m going to conquer the mountain of dirty dishes in my sink. It’s a truly epic quest.
Alice: Sounds thrilling! After that monumental task, what about your *actual* future plans? Like, next month?
Bob: Next month? I’m going to invent a self-cleaning dish machine, obviously. Then, I’m going to relax. A lot.
Alice: Dream big, Bob! I’m planning to visit my aunt in the countryside. It’s less dramatic, but at least there are no dishes.
Bob: Good point! I’m also thinking about learning to cook something beyond instant noodles. My stomach deserves better.
Alice: That’s a great plan! What kind of food are you going to try?
Bob: I’m going to attempt… a gourmet sandwich. Baby steps, Alice, baby steps.
Alice: I like your ambition! I’m going to start a new book. A really thick one. I’m going to finish it by the end of the month.
Bob: Wow, a book *and* a visit? You’re busy! Are you going to travel anywhere next year?
Alice: I would like to visit Japan next year. I’m saving up for it!
Bob: Japan sounds amazing! I’m going to try to save up for… a new coffee machine. Priorities, you know.
Alice: Ha! Well, a good coffee machine is important for big plans! We should grab coffee next week to discuss our future empires.
Bob: Definitely! I’m free on Tuesday. I’ll text you.
Alice: Perfect! See you then, Bob!
Bob: Bye, Alice!
Current Situation
Talking about future plans is a very common and natural part of daily conversation. It helps us connect with others, understand their goals, and even make plans together. Whether it’s about weekend activities, upcoming trips, career aspirations, or just what you’re going to eat for dinner, discussing future plans is an essential skill for English learners. In the dialogue, Alice and Bob share their immediate and long-term plans in a friendly, lighthearted way.
Key Phrases
- What are you up to?: An informal way to ask what someone is doing or planning.
- Example: “Hey, what are you up to this evening?”
- Any exciting plans?: Asking if someone has special or fun activities planned.
- Example: “It’s a long weekend! Any exciting plans?”
- I’m going to…: Used to express a definite plan or intention for the future.
- Example: “I’m going to visit my family next month.”
- Sounds thrilling!: Often used humorously or sarcastically when a plan isn’t actually thrilling.
- Example: “I’m going to sort my socks.” “Sounds thrilling!”
- Dream big!: An encouragement to think about grand or ambitious goals.
- Example: “I want to become an astronaut!” “Dream big!”
- I’m also thinking about…: Expressing a plan or idea you are considering.
- Example: “I’m also thinking about learning a new language.”
- That’s a great plan!: A positive way to respond to someone’s plans.
- Example: “I’m going to start exercising.” “That’s a great plan!”
- Baby steps.: Used to describe taking small, easy actions to achieve a larger goal.
- Example: “I’m trying to learn guitar. Just chords for now, baby steps.”
- I like your ambition!: Complimenting someone’s big goals or determination.
- Example: “I’m going to write a novel next year!” “I like your ambition!”
- Are you going to…?: Asking someone about their future plans.
- Example: “Are you going to study abroad?”
- I would like to…: Expressing a desire or wish for the future.
- Example: “I would like to travel around the world someday.”
- Priorities, you know.: A humorous or common way to justify a decision or plan.
- Example: “I’m buying a new gaming console instead of new clothes. Priorities, you know.”
- We should grab coffee/dinner/etc.: A suggestion to meet up in the future.
- Example: “We should grab lunch next week.”
- I’ll text you.: A common way to promise to send a message.
- Example: “I’ll text you the details later.”
Grammar Points
- “Be Going To” for Future Plans and Intentions
We use “be going to” + the base form of a verb to talk about plans and intentions we have already made before speaking.
- Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb (base form)
- Examples:
- I am going to clean my room. (My plan)
- She is going to start a new job next month. (Her intention)
- We are going to watch a movie tonight. (Our plan)
- Present Continuous for Definite Future Arrangements
We can use the present continuous tense (am/is/are + verb-ing) to talk about future plans that are already definite arrangements, especially when a time or date is mentioned.
- Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
- Examples:
- I ‘m planning to visit my aunt this weekend. (Definite arrangement)
- They are meeting for lunch on Tuesday. (Fixed appointment)
- “Would Like To” for Desires and Wishes
We use “would like to” + the base form of a verb to express something we desire or wish to do in the future. It’s a polite way to say “want to”.
- Structure: Subject + would like to + verb (base form)
- Examples:
- I would like to visit Japan next year. (A wish or desire)
- He would like to learn how to play the piano. (A desire)
- “Will” for Spontaneous Decisions and Predictions
While “going to” is for pre-planned actions, “will” is often used for decisions made at the moment of speaking or for predictions about the future.
- Structure: Subject + will + verb (base form)
- Examples:
- “I’m hungry.” “I will make a sandwich.” (Spontaneous decision)
- “Don’t worry, I ‘ll text you.” (Promise/spontaneous offer)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with “am going to”, “is going to”, or “are going to”.
- I _______ study for my English test tonight.
- She _______ bake a cake for her friend’s birthday.
- We _______ travel to the beach next summer.
- He _______ buy a new phone.
- They _______ play soccer after school.
1. am going to
2. is going to
3. are going to
4. is going to
5. are going to
Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using “would like to”.
- I want to drink some water.
- He wants to learn to swim.
- They want to visit New York.
- She wants to eat pizza for dinner.
1. I would like to drink some water.
2. He would like to learn to swim.
3. They would like to visit New York.
4. She would like to eat pizza for dinner.
Exercise 3: Match the question to the best answer.
Questions:
- What are you doing this weekend?
- Are you going to try that new restaurant?
- What would you like to do next year?
- We need milk!
Answers:
- I’m visiting my parents.
- Oh, I’ll go buy some now!
- Yes, I am. I heard it’s really good!
- I’d like to travel to Europe.
A – a
B – c
C – d
D – b
Exercise 4: Write your own future plans.
Complete the sentences with your own ideas for the future!
- Next weekend, I’m going to…
- Tomorrow, I would like to…
- Next year, I’m planning to…
- Later today, I’ll…
(Example answers will vary)
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