Other ways of talking about the Future

1.A

Some phrases are commonly used to refer to actions or events in the future with a meaning similar to be about to+ infinitive. We can use be on the verge of…/ brink of…./point of… (+-ing or noun) to say that something will happen soon.

• People are on the verge of starvation as the drought continues.

• Scientistis are on the brink of making major advances in the fight against AIDS.

• Exhausted, mentally and physically, she was on the point of callapse.

We use be due to (+infinitive) to say that something is expected to happen at a particular time, be sure/bound to (+infinitive) to say that something is likely or certain to happen, and be set to (+infinitive) to say that something is ready to happen:

• The company’s chief executive is due to retire next year, but following today’s announcement of further losses she is sure to be asked to leave sooner.

• ‘ Will there be somewhere to get a coffe at the station?’ ‘Oh, yes, there’s bound to be.’

• Her new film is set to be a great success.

We use some verbs with a to-infinitive (agree,aim,expect,hope,intend, mean,plan,promise,propose,resolve,undertake,want) to talk about intentions:

• We guarantee to refund your money if you are dissatisfied with the computer.

2.B

The present simple+ to- infinitive or present continuous+ to- infinitive can be used with the verbs (aim, expect, hope, intend,plan, propose, want) to talk about intentions:

• I aim to get to Berlin by the end o June./ I‘m aiming to get to Berlin by the end of June.

Some people, particularly in speech and in journalism, use be looking+to-infinitive to mean planning a course of action:

• We’re looking to create 3,000 jobs in the city over the next year.

3.C

When the phrases and verbs in 1.A and 2.B are used with past tence forms, they are usually concerned with future events seen from the past.

• It was his 64th birthday in 2006 and he was due to retire the following year.

• Nathan had resolved to become fluent in Spanish before he left university.

• The new management had been looking to create 20 new jobs.

4.D

Some people use shall and shan’t instead of will and won’t in statements about the future with I and we. However, it’s more common to use will and won’t.

• He was a good friend and we shall/will miss him greatly.

• I’m just going to buy a newspaper. I shan’t/won’t be long.

Sometimes shall/shan’t is found in formal rules and in older literary styles:

• The match referee shall be the sole judge of fair play.

• All people of the world shall live together as brothers.

More examples:

• These measures brought the republic to the verge of economic collapse.

• As we were on the point of giving up hope, a letter arrived.

• She was so tired that she was on the point of collapse.

• the country was on the brink of a constitutional crisis

• Scientists are on the brink of a major new discovery.

• The train is due to arrive at Glasgow Central at 12:12.

• I was on the point of leaving my job but then I got promoted so I changed my mind.

• We’re just about to set off for a walk. Do you want to come?

• She‘s sure to win.

• I want to go somewhere where we‘re sure to have good weather.

• It’s sure to rain before morning.

• You‘re bound to feel nervous about your interview.