B1 Future: Be Going to/Present Continuous

Though the Present Continuous is a great way to indicate present events in present time, we can also use this verb tense when referring to future events as well!

The format is as follows:

1. Present Continuous for Future:
Formation: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing:

Usage:

  • We use the present continuous for future events when we have a definite plan or arrangement.
  • It’s often used for things that are happening relatively soon or in the near future.
  • The time frame is somewhat fixed and planned.

Examples:

  • I am meeting my friend at 3 PM tomorrow.
  • She is flying to Paris next week.
  • They are having a party on Saturday.

Now you try some examples!

Quiz 1 - Present Continuous as Future

Choose the correct option.

 

We can also use the form be going to to indicate future events/situations!

The format is as follows:

2. “Be Going To” for Future:

Formation: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base form of the verb:

Usage:

  • We use “be going to” for future events when there is evidence or a strong intention to do something.
  • It’s often used for things that you’ve already decided to do or that seem likely to happen based on current circumstances.
  • The time frame is more flexible and can be in the near or distant future.

Examples:

  • I am going to study for my exam tonight. (I’ve made this plan.)
  • She is going to have a baby in a few months. (Based on the evidence of her pregnancy.)
  • They are going to buy a new car soon. (They have the intention to do so.)

Now you try some examples!

Quiz 2 - "Be Going To" for Future

Choose the correct answer.

 

So now you know the importance of these tenses!  We here at Scrambled Eggs are sure you are going to be amazing practicing these English phrases in the next couple of days!  Stay amazing!

Daily Routine!

I wake up at 7AM in the morning, get out of bed at 7:15, put on my clothes for work, and then prepare
breakfast by 7:30….”

^ This example above is the first part of someone’s daily routine. A daily routine is, by definition, the activities and experiences that constitute a person’s normal existence. A person’s daily routine is unique to them, which means that every person has a different list of activities they do during a day, depending on the day.

For example, in the morning you can…
Wake up
Get out of bed
Put on your clothes/dress yourself Eat a quick breakfast
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
…And more!

Maybe later in the morning you…
Take the bus to work
Take the train to school
Drive to work
Walk to School …And so on!

As our day continues, so does our routine.

Daily Routine - Quiz

Answer these questions, and see if you can match the correct activity to the correct time!

 

When we do things according to our daily routine, we usually do them in chronological order! This means that we will probably go to work before we make our dinner! Is your routine like the example above?

Past Participle in Question Phrases

In today’s post we will be learning all about the past participle in question phrases! If you use the phrase “Have you ever…” it is essential to put the following verb in the form of a past participle. Here is an example of the difference:

  • Instead of saying:
    • Have you ever went to California before?
  • Say:
    • Have you ever been to California before?

The past participle normally accompanies another verb in this case the word “have”. The past participle is typically referred to as the third form of the verb and can often be made by adding on these endings : ed, d, or t.

For example:

  • Sleep : slept : slept
  • Jump : jumped : jumped
  • Wear: wore : worn
  • Be : was/were : been

As you can see, sometimes the past participle is exactly the same as the regular past tense but other times things can be more difficult if the verb is irregular! For that reason, it will be useful to look specifically at a list of verbs that are irregular in the past participle so that you can begin to memorize them:

Here is a long list of irregular verbs: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/50_common_irregular_verbs_list.pdf

However below I have compiled a list of the top 10 most used irregular verbs where in the past participle is different from the regular past tense!

 

  1. Be : was/were : been
  2. Become: became: become
  3. Drink: drank: drunk
  4. Do : did: done
  5. Eat: ate: eaten
  6. Give: gave: given
  7. Write: wrote: written
  8. Wear: wore: worn
  9. Speak: spoke: spoken
  10. Sing: sang: sung

Let’s practice using some of these new irregular verbs!

Past Participle Quiz

Try and conjugate the following verbs into the past participle.