Present or Future- Simplest Responses

Present or future simplest responses game

including Present Continuous for actions in progress and future arrangements

Instructions for teachers

Cut up one card of each kind for each student. Students listen to you read out phrases from below and race to raise the “present” or “future” card depending on what they think about the meaning of what you say. If they aren’t sure, read a contrasting one from below.

After a few minutes of this, give out copies of the worksheet and get students to label the sentences “P” for present or “F” for future, telling them that there is one of each kind in each pair.

After checking their answers, students can test each other by:

• Playing the same holding up cards game, first with the phrases below and then with their own ideas
• Reading out a phrase with a word missing for their partner to complete

The gapfill task below can be done before or after they test each other.

 

Cards for students to hold up

Present	Future
Present	Future
Present	Future
Present	Future
Present	Future

 

Future forms and time expressions simplest responses game

I often write reports.

I’ll finish the report by Friday.

 

I’m meeting him on Monday.

I can’t speak now, I’m in a meeting.

 

I almost always come to work by train.

If he comes later, I’ll ask him then.

 

I always see him on Sundays.

I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

 

I usually listen to the news on the radio.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

 

I often watch comedies.

I’d like to go to the cinema tonight.

 

What brings you here today?

When are you seeing him next?

 

What are you working on at the moment?

Will you be finished by April?

 

Are you still working on the new compressor?

Will you see him again soon?

 

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

What do you usually do at the weekend?

 

I see him every day.

I’ll be seeing him soon.

 

I’m sorry but he’s away from his desk at the moment.

I’ll pass your message onto him as soon as he gets back.

 

I often meet your boss.

I’d like to meet your boss next week.

 

I leave the office at seven o’clock on weekdays.

I’ll be there in ten minutes.

 

I go to the pachinko parlour at the weekend.

I’m going to see him next weekend.

 

I always meet him after work.

I’ve arranged to meet him the day after tomorrow.

 

Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I’m on a train.

Sorry, I’m meeting a client in five minutes. Can I call you back after my meeting?

 

I’d love to meet but I’m afraid I’m flying to New York at that time.

I’m afraid he’s meeting a client at the moment.

 

I’m calling about the latest delivery.

I’m afraid there will be a delay in the delivery. It will arrive at 9 p.m. tonight.

 

I’m seeing him again on Tuesday.

I’ve arrived. I’m standing just outside the North entrance. Do you know where that is?

 

Our market share is expected to improve next year.

Our market share is currently improving.

 

We’re presently researching optical computers.

We’re presenting our results in December.

 

Now we’re working on a new app.

We’re studying telephone English next.

 

I’m just getting off the plane now.

We’re having a video conference at three on Tuesday.

 

We’re having a party on Friday evening. Would you like to come?

We’re having problems with the server.

 

I hope to meet you again soon.

We meet at nine thirty on Monday mornings.

 

Present and future time expressions simplest responses game

today

tomorrow

 

every day

the day after tomorrow

 

next week

this week

 

in November

this month

 

the year after next

this year

 

every Monday

next Monday

 

on Monday

on Mondays

 

once a day

one day

 

in two weeks

twice a week

 

in three years

three times a year

 

some time

sometimes

 

at two o’clock on Mondays

in two hours

 

later

(right) now

 

ASAP

at the moment

 

currently

immediately

 

presently

straightaway

 

Present and future verb forms simplest responses game

How long will you…?

How often do you…?

 

What kind of movie do you watch?

What sort of movie would you like to watch?

 

What are you doing here?

When are you seeing him?

 

What are you working on?

When will you be finished?

 

How’s work?

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

 

Are you staying near here?

Will you be here long?

 

How long does it take?

How long will it take?

 

I’d like to meet you…

I’m writing to you about…

 

I never go…

I’ll never go…

 

He’s wearing a purple tie.

I’ll be seeing him soon.

 

I like Thai food.

I’d like Thai food.

 

I often meet your boss.

I’d like to meet your boss.

 

I get up…

I’ll get up…

 

I go to the amusement arcade in the evening.

I’m going to see him in the evening.

 

I meet him…

I’ve arranged to meet him…

 

Sorry, I can’t talk. I’m on a train.

Sorry, I can’t stop. I’m meeting a client.

 

I’d love to meet but I’m afraid I’m flying to New York.

I’m afraid he’s out of the office meeting a client.

 

I’m afraid there’ll be a delay in the delivery.

I’m phoning about the latest delivery.

 

I’m seeing him at his office, so I’ll ask him for you.

I’m standing just outside the North entrance. Do you know where that is?

 

Just a moment. I’ll get a pen.

Just a moment. I’m just writing that down.

 

Our market share is expected to improve.

Our market share is improving.

 

We’re researching optical computers.

We’re presenting our results at the board meeting.

 

We’re having four weeks of lessons on telephone English.

We’re working on a new app.

 

I’m just getting off the plane.

We’re having a video conference on that topic. I’ll suggest it then.

 

We’re having dinner in a Cambodian restaurant. Would you like to come with us?

We’re here to celebrate a very successful financial year.

 

I’m calling to…

I’m meeting…

 

I’m ringing about…

I’m seeing him…

 

I’m writing about…

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Let’s meet…

We meet…

 

We don’t meet…

Why don’t we meet…?

 

I’m phoning about…

I’ll make sure that he gets your message.

 

We don’t…

We won’t…

 

Present and future gapfill

First of all without looking above, put one word into each gap below. Some words not above might also be possible.

• I’ll finish the report ________________________________________________ Friday.
• I’m meeting him _________________________________________________ Monday.
• I can’t speak now, I’m __________________________________________ a meeting.
• I almost _____________________________________________ come to work by train.
• If he comes later, I’ll ask him _____________________________________________.
• I always see him _______________________________________________ Sundays.
• I’m looking forward _______________________________________ seeing you soon.
• I’m looking forward to hearing _____________________________________ you soon.
• I ___________________________________________ like to go to the cinema tonight.
• _________________________________________________ brings you here today?
• _______________________________________________ are you seeing him next?
• What are you working _____________________________________ at the moment?
• Will you be finished _______________________________________________ April?
• __________________________________ you still working on the new compressor?
• Do you _______________________________________ any plans for the weekend?
• What ______________________________________ you usually do at the weekend?
• I see him _______________________________________________________ day.
• I’ll _____________________________________________________ seeing him soon.
• I’m sorry but he’s away from his desk ______________________________ the moment.
• I’ll pass your message onto him __________________________ soon as he gets back.
• I’d ____________________________________________ to meet your boss next week.
• I leave the office _________________________________ seven o’clock on weekdays.
• I’ll be there _______________________________________________ ten minutes.
• I _________________________________________ going to see him next weekend.
• I’ve arranged to meet him the day _________________________________ tomorrow.
• Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I’m ______________________________________ a train.
• Sorry, I’m meeting a client in five minutes. Can I call you back ________ my meeting?
• I’d love to meet but I’m afraid I’m flying to New York at ____________________ time.
• I’m afraid he’s meeting a client at __________________________________ moment.
• I’m calling _____________________________________________ the latest delivery.
• I ____ arrived. I’m standing just outside the North entrance. Do you know where that is?
• Our market share _____________________________ expected to improve next year.
• Our market share ______________________________________ currently improving.
• We ________________________________ presently researching optical computers.
• We’re presenting our results ___________________________________ December.
• We’re ______________________________ a video conference at three on Tuesday.
• We’re having a party on Friday evening. ______________________ you like to come?
• We’re ___________________________________________ problems with the server.
• I hope _____________________________________________ meet you again soon.
• the year after _________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________ Monday
• ___________________________________________________________ Mondays
• once _____________________________________________________________ day
• twice __________________________________________________________ week
• three __________________________________________________________ a year
• _______________________________________________ two o’clock on Mondays
• The meeting will end __________________________________________ two hours
• (______________________________________________________________) now
• Do you have ______________________________________ plans for the weekend?
• I go to the amusement arcade _________________________________ the evening.
• Just ______________________________________________ moment. I’ll get a pen.
• We’re having dinner in a Cambodian restaurant. Would you like to come _______ us?
• I’ll make sure that he _____________________________________ your message.

Use these mixed answers to help with the task above. Some can be used more than once.

• a
• about
• after
• after
• always
• am
• any
• are
• as
• at
• be
• by
• do
• every
• from
• gets
• have
• having
• in
• is
• like
• next
• on
• right
• that
• the
• then
• times
• to
• what
• when
• with
• would

Check above or as a class, checking any different answers which you wrote.