Pre-Intermediate Grammar

Pre-Intermediate · Grammar Reference

Unit 5 — Verb Patterns & Future

verb + -ing/to-inf · will · going to · present continuous for future

5.1 Verb patterns

Different verbs are followed by different patterns:

Pattern	Examples
verb + to-infinitive	want, hope, decide, plan, promise, forget
verb + -ing	enjoy, like, love, hate, stop, finish, suggest
verb + object + to-infinitive	ask, tell, want, invite
verb + bare infinitive	make, let, can, could, will, would

📌 Note

like doing = in general would like to do = specific occasion
I like swimming. (general habit) I'd like to swim today. (specific wish)

5.2 Future forms

will

Decisions made at the moment of speaking; predictions; offers; promises.

I'll have the soup, please. It will probably rain. I'll help you.

going to

Intentions and plans already decided; predictions based on evidence.

I'm going to study medicine. Look at those clouds — it's going to rain!

Present Continuous (for future)

Definite arrangements (with time/place already fixed).

We're meeting at 7 tonight.

Form	Use
will + infinitive	Spontaneous decisions, predictions, offers/promises
going to + infinitive	Plans & intentions, predictions from evidence
Present Continuous	Fixed arrangements