Mastering English: Present Progressive, Future Plans & More

Present Progressive for the Future

Going on = Used for scheduled events on specific days of the week.

Use the present progressive to talk about definite plans in the future.

The present progressive uses the present simple of ‘be’ and the ‘-ing’ form of a verb.

Examples:

Where is Ginny going? (¿Dónde va Ginny?)

She is going to Padre Island.

When is she going? (¿Cuándo ella se va?)

She is going on Sunday. (Ella se va un domingo)

What time is she leaving? (¿A qué hora ella se levanta?)

She is leaving at about 7:00.

Negative Form:

She is not going to…

Obligations in the Future: ‘Have To’

Use ‘have to’ to talk about obligations in the future.

Teens = Adolescentes

Use ‘have to’ with the infinitive form of a verb.

Be + Going to

True or False:

  1. Be going to expresses intentions and resolutions. TRUE
  2. Be going to is followed by the ‘-ing’ form of a verb. FALSE
  3. A resolution is a very strong intention. TRUE
  4. Be going to can express ideas from the past. FALSE

My Resolutions

I’m going to learn to drive. (Voy a aprender a conducir)

I’m going to stop teasing my little brother. (Voy a dejar de molestar a mi pequeño hermano)

That’s a good one. I’m going to make some money somehow. (Voy a ganar dinero de alguna forma)

Plans and Predictions

What activities are the people talking about? (¿Sobre qué actividades las personas están conversando?)

They are talking about movies and bowling.

Suggestions

Let’s go dancing, watch boxing on TV, work on the project, why don’t we?, listen to music, travel to Santiago?, check this connection?

Promises

I’ll drive, buy some soda, clean my room, meet you there, cut the grass, help parents.

‘Will’ for Promises and Predictions

‘Will’ is used for promises and predictions.

Will live = Vivirá

Short answer ‘no’: No, she won’t (Ella no será cantante)

To ask questions: Where will…? What will…?

‘There Is’ and ‘There Are’

‘There is’ = one thing or singular. ‘There are’ = plural.

When asking a question, the order changes (e.g., There are -> Are there).

We use ‘there is’ and ‘there are’ to describe or identify things in the present.

Examples:

  1. Are there too many old people in the East Village?
  2. There aren’t many families with children in the village because the apartments are small.
  3. There is a small park where people hang out.
  4. Is there a place for little kids to play?

‘How Many’ and ‘How Much’

How many = Cuántos, Cuántas

How much = Preguntar cantidades

Uncountable foods: liquid, pizza (can be countable by slice or quantity)

Any = Algún o alguna, ningún o ninguna, cualquier o cualquiera

A lot of = Mucho o un montón de

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

Countable: Apples

Uncountable: Fruit, water, chips

Example:

How many slices of pizza do you eat for lunch?

Vocabulary

  • There are = Hay, existen
  • Laundromats = Lavandería
  • Dry cleaner = Lavasecos
  • Hardware stores = Ferreterías
  • Walk = Paseo, caminata
  • Facilities = Comodidades
  • Crowds = Multitudes
  • Block = Cuadra
  • Parlor = Estudio
  • Vintage = De otro tiempo
  • Leather = Cuero
  • Get hungry = Sentir hambre
  • Tiny = Pequeños
  • Cheap = Baratos
  • Performers = Actores
  • Full swing = Pleno funcionamiento
  • Crowded = Atestado de gente
  • Noisy = Ruidoso
  • There aren’t = No hay
  • Parking lots = Estacionamientos
  • There isn’t room = No hay espacio
  • Sidewalk = Vereda
  • Shout = Gritan