English grammar mindmap

FUTURE PREDICTIONS

PRESENT SIMPLE

FUTURE PLANS

talking about a schedule, timetable or program

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

MIGHT

BE GOING TO

BE GOING TO

MAY / MIGHT

WILL

talking about something that is already decided

Angelo: Have you registered for the class yet?
Sarah: Not yet. I'm going to register tomorrow.

talking about something that is already arranged

Angelo: Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
Sarah: Sorry, I can't. I'm playing soccer.

use might+infinitive without to to talk about plans, when we are unsure what the plan is

I might go out later.
We might not be able to finish all this work tomorrow.
Do you think you might see Evelyn?

use be going to to make predictions when there is present evidence

volunteering to do something
deciding at the time of speaking to do something

Angelo: I need a pencil.
Sarah: I'll lend you mine.
The dollar will probably get stronger this year.

Angelo: What time does the next bus leave?
Sarah: It leaves at six.

We only have two cars. It's going to be difficult to take eleven people tomorrow.
E-readers are probably going to become cheaper

use may or might to make predictions which are less certain
the negative forms are may not and might not
Might is more common than may in spoken English.
May is little bit formal.

COULD

BE LIKELY TO

use could to make predictions which are less certain.

use be likely to make predictions when something is probable.
The negative is be unlikely to ot not be likely to.

Some of our workers may lose their jobs because of restructuring.
We might not go away this year because we don't have any money

Global warming could destroy large parts of Asia in the next thirty years.

Regina is likely to be late because she works until seven.
Are you likely to be hungry later?
We are unlikely to reach Paris before lunch because of all traffic.
Will we start at 5.00? It's unlikely.