Category: Uncategorized

English Future Tense with Be Going To: Easy Guide for ESL Beginners
Do you ever want to talk about tomorrow, next week, or even next year in English? Learning how to talk about the future is very important! The good news is, there are two common ways to talk about the future in English: will and be going to. In this post, we’ll focus on be going to. To learn more about using will, check out this guide. English learners use the future tense with Be Going To every day to make predictions, share plans, and even promise to do something. In this post, you’ll learn how to use the future tense with Be Going To step by step—with simple rules, examples, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll be ready to talk about your own future in English with confidence!

When do we use the future tense with Be Going To?

We use Be Going To to talk about:
1. Simple facts about the future
I am going to finish class on Friday.
1. Predictions with evidence (when we can see something now).
Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
1. Plans or intentions (things we already decided to do).
She is going to study English at UNAM next session.

Affirmative Statements in the Future Tense with Be Going To

Subject + be (am/is/are) + going to + base form of the verb

I am going to watch a movie tonight.

She is going to travel to Spain.

They are going to play basketball on Thursday.

My mother is going to make dinner tonight.

The students are going to take a test on Friday.

Ana is going to celebrate her birthday on Saturday.

Negative Statements in the Future Tense with Be Going To

Subject + be (am/is/are) + not + going to + base form of the verb

I am not going to watch a movie tonight.

She is not going to travel to Spain.

They are not going to play basketball on Thursday.

My mother is not going to make dinner tonight.

The students are not going to take a test on Friday.

Ana is not going to celebrate her birthday on Saturday.

Contractions in the Future Tense with Be Going To

In English, we often make sentences shorter by contracting the Be verb (am, is, are) with a subject pronoun. This makes speaking sound more natural.

I am → I’m → I’m going to study tonight.

You are → You’re going to fail if you don’t do the homework.

He is → He’s → He’s going to play soccer.

She is → She’s → She’s going to cook dinner.

It is → It’s → It’s going to rain.

We are → We’re → We’re going to travel next week.

They are → They’re → They’re going to visit us.

⚠️ Remember! We never contract going to itself—only the be verb.

💡 Tip! If you need a refresher on subjects, check out our complete guide on subject pronouns.

We can also contract the be verb (am, is, are) with not in negative sentences.

is not → isn’t

She isn’t going to eat lunch.

are not → aren’t

They aren’t going to play soccer.

⚠️ Remember! am not → There is no contraction.
❌ I amn’t going to study.
✅ I’m not going to study.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Affirmative and Negative Statements
❌ She going to study tomorrow.
✅ She is going to study tomorrow.

❌ They are going study tomorrow.
✅ They are going to study tomorrow.

❌ I am not going study English.
✅ I am not going to study English.

❌ I amn’t going to study.
✅ I’m not going to study.

⚠️ Remember! Always use a be verb (am, is, are) and to.

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers in the Future Tense with Be Going To

Be (am/is/are) + subject + going to + base form of the verb?

Are you going to do your homework?

Is it going to rain tonight?

Is she going to visit her parents?

Are they going to eat lunch at Taco Bell?

Are the students going to celebrate the teacher’s birthday?

Are we going to fly to Cancun?

Short Answers

Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.

Yes, you are. / No, you’re not. / No, you aren’t.

Yes, he is. / No, he’s not. / No, he isn’t.

Yes, she is. / No, she’s not. / No, she isn’t.

Yes, it is. / No, it’s not. / No, it isn’t.

Yes, we are. / No, we’re not. / No, we aren’t.

Yes, they are. / No, they’re not. / No, they aren’t.

⚠️ Remember! Only the negative short answers use contractions

Wh- Questions in the Future Tense with Be Going To

Wh- word + Be (am/is/are) + Subject + going to

When are you going to do your homework?

When is it going to rain tonight?

Why is she going to visit her parents?

What are they going to eat at Taco Bell?

Who are the students going to celebrate the teacher’s birthday with?

When are we going to fly to Cancun?

How are we going to pay for our vacation?

🚫 Common Mistakes with Yes/No and Wh- Questions
When making questions with be going to, many students forget to move the be verb (am, is, are) to the beginning.

Yes/No Questions
❌ You are going to watch a movie tonight?
✅ Are you going to watch a movie tonight?

❌ She is going to call you?
✅ Is she going to call you?

👉 Always put am/is/are before the subject in questions.

Wh- Questions
❌ Where you are going to eat lunch?
✅ Where are you going to eat lunch?

❌ What he is going to do tomorrow?
✅ What is he going to do tomorrow?

👉 Start with the Wh- word (What, Where, When, Why, Who, How) → then am/is/are → then the subject.

Let’s Practice!

Exercise A

Fill in the blank(s) with the correct word(s). Use contractions if possible.
1. She ________ going to visit her grandmother this weekend.
2. They ________ going to play soccer after school.
1. I ________ not going to eat pizza tonight.
2. He ________ not going to watch TV before bed.
1. ________ you ________ to study for the test tomorrow?
2. ________ she going ________ call her friend tonight?
3. ________ they ________ come to the party?
1. What ________ you ________ eat for lunch?
2. Where ________ they ________ travel next summer?
3. When ________ he ________ start his new job?
Exercise B

Correct the mistakes in each sentence. There is one mistake per sentence.
1. She going to visit her friend tomorrow.
2. They are going play basketball after school.
3. I am go to study English tonight.
1. He isn’t going to calls you later.
2. We is not going to watch TV tonight.
3. I amn’t going to eat dinner.
1. You are going to come to class tomorrow?
2. She is going to call her mom tonight?
1. Where you are going to travel next year?
2. What he is going to eat for lunch?
Check Your Answers

Scoring and Feedback

🔵 17 – 20 Correct

Excellent work! 🎉You really understand the future with Be Going To. Keep using it in your everyday conversations and writing.

🟢 14 – 16 Correct

Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of the future with Be Going To. Review the ones you missed.

🟡 12 – 13 Correct

Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

🔴 0 – 11 Correct

No worries! 🌱 The future with Be Going To can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

📚 Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Every time you say “I am going to learn English!” you are using the future tense with ‘be going to‘ to tell the truth about your journey. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. You are moving beyond English to more opportunities, connections, and self-expression!

Leave a comment below!

And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!
September 28, 2025
English Future Tense with Will: Easy Grammar for ESL Students
Do you ever want to talk about tomorrow, next week, or even next year in English? Learning how to talk about the future is very important! The good news is, there are two common ways to talk about the future in English: will and be going to. In this post, we’ll focus on will. To learn more about using the future tense with be going to, check out this guide. English learners use the future tense with Will every day to make predictions, share plans, and even promise to do something. In this post, you’ll learn how to use the future tense with Will step by step—with simple rules, examples, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll be ready to talk about your own future in English with confidence!

When do we use the future tense with will?

We use will to talk about:

1. Simple facts about the future

I will do my homework tonight.

2. Predictions about the future.

It will rain tomorrow.

3. Promises or offers.

I will help you with your homework.

4. Future plans or decisions made at the moment of speaking.

I’m hungry. I will make a sandwich.

Affirmative statements in the Future Tense with Will

Subject + will + base form of the main verb

She will make dinner tonight.

They will travel to Spain this summer.

The students will take a test on Friday.

The teacher will help you with your homework.

Ana will celebrate her birthday on Saturday.

We will go to the park on Sunday afternoon.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Affirmative Statements
❌ He will goes to school tomorrow.
✅ He will go to school tomorrow.

❌ They will playing soccer next week.
✅ They will play soccer next week.

⚠️ Remember! After will, always use the base form of the verb (go, play, eat).

Contractions in the Future Tense with Will

In English, we often make sentences shorter by contracting (joining) the subject pronoun and will. This makes speaking more natural and faster.

I will → I’ll call you tomorrow.

You will → You’ll need to study if you want to pass grammar class.

He will → He’ll text you later.

She will → She’ll help us with the project.

It will → It’ll be cold tomorrow.

We will → We’ll drive to the concert.

They will → They’ll come to the party.

⚠️ Remember! Contractions are common in speaking and informal writing, but in formal writing (like school essays or exams), it’s better to use the full form: I will, you will, etc.

💡 Tip! If you need a refresher on subjects, check out our complete guide on subject pronouns.

Negative statements in the Future Tense with Will

Subject + will not + base form of the verb

I will not watch TV tonight.

He will not go to the party.

It will not snow tomorrow.

She will not attend class on Friday.

That charger will not work on your phone.

We will not eat dinner at home tonight.

Contractions in the Future Tense with Will – Negative Statements

In a negative statement, do not contract the subject pronoun and will. Instead, you can contract will and not to form the contraction won’t.

I won’t watch TV tonight. I have to study for a test.

He won’t go to the party. He’s boring.

It won’t snow tomorrow. It’s too hot.

She won’t attend class on Friday. She has a doctor’s appointment.

That charger won’t work on your phone. It’s for iPhones.

We won’t eat dinner at home tonight. We’re eating out instead.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Negative Statements
❌ I not will eat dinner.
✅ I will not (won’t) eat dinner.

❌ She willn’t come to the party.
✅ She will not come to the party. (or She won’t come to the party.)

⚠️ Remember! Use will not or the contraction won’t. Do not write willn’t.

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers in the Future Tense with Will

Will + subject + base form of the verb?

Will she make dinner tonight? Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.

Will they travel to Spain this summer? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t.

Will the students take a test on Friday? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t.

Will the teacher help you with your homework? Yes, he will. / No, he won’t.

Will Ana celebrate her birthday on Saturday? Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.

Will the Longhorns play on Saturday? Yes, they will. / No, they won’t. 😞

⚠️ Remember! Only negative short answers use contractions.

🚫 Common Mistakes with Yes/No Questions
❌ You will come to class tomorrow?
✅ Will you come to class tomorrow?

❌ They will play soccer on Saturday?
✅ Will they play soccer on Saturday?

⚠️ Remember! In questions, will comes before the subject.

Wh- Questions in the Future Tense with Will

Wh- word + will + subject + base form of the verb

What will she make for dinner tonight?

When will they travel to Spain?

When will the students take a test?

What will the teacher help you with?

What will Ana celebrate on Saturday?

Who will the Longhorns play on Saturday?

Why won’t the dog stop barking?

How will you travel to Bogota?

🚫 Common Mistakes with Wh- Questions
❌ Where you will go on vacation?
✅ Where will you go on vacation?

❌ What she will eat for lunch?
✅ What will she eat for lunch?

⚠️ Remember! Start with the Wh- word (What, Where, When, Why, Who, How) → then will → then the subject.

Let’s Practice!

Exercise A

Unscramble the words to form affirmative statements. Use contractions if possible.
1. play / will / soccer / tomorrow / they
2. finish / homework / tonight / will / my / I
3. visit / will / next week / their / grandparents / they
4. to / will / not / go / afternoon / they / the park / this
5. their / not / do / homework / will / students / the
6. to / tonight / the party / will / come / she / ?
7. help / class / me / will / after / my homework / you / with / ?
8. play / soccer / will / Saturday / he / on /?
9. see / we / movie / tonight / will / a / ?
10. eat / for lunch / what / will / she / ?
11. go / on vacation / where / will / you / ?
12. do / tomorrow / will / he / what / ?
13. help / me / will / when / you / ?
14. see / who / will / at the park / we / ?
15. university / which / you / at / study / will / year / next / ?
Exercise B

Correct the mistakes in each sentence (There is only 1 mistake per sentence)
1. He’ll goes to school tomorrow.
2. They will playing soccer next week.
3. She’ll eats breakfast at 9:00.
4. She willn’t come to the party.
5. They won’t plays soccer.
6. You’ll come to class tomorrow?
7. She’ll calls you tonight?
8. Where you’ll go on vacation?
9. What she’ll eat for lunch?
10. When he’ll come to school?
Check Your Answers

Scoring & Feedback

🔵 22 – 25 correct

Excellent work! 🎉You really understand the future with will. Keep using it in your everyday conversations and writing.

🟢 19 – 21 correct
Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of the future with will. Review the ones you missed.

🟡 15 – 18 correct
Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

🔴 0 – 14 correct
No worries! 🌱 The future with will can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

📚 Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Every time you say “I will learn English” you are using the future tense with will to tell the truth about your journey. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. Your English is not standing still—it’s moving forward, step by step.

Leave a comment below!

And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!
September 27, 2025
The Present Continuous: A Complete Guide for ESL Students
What is the present continuous?

The present continuous tense – sometimes called the present progressive – is one of the first tenses English learners practice after the simple present. In this blog, we will discuss using the present continuous in affirmative statement, negative statements, Yes/No questions, and Wh- questions. We will also discuss the spelling rules for the present continuous. As always, you will have the opportunity to practice everything discussed in this blog.

Affirmative Statements in the Present Continuous

When we want to describe something that is happening right now, we use affirmative statements in the present continuous. These sentences show actions in progress, like “I am reading” or “They are playing.” The pattern is simple once you learn it.

How to Form the Present Continuous (Affirmative Statements)

The structure of affirmative statements in the present continuous is simple:

Subject + Be verb (am / is / are) + Verb + -ing
1. I am drinking coffee.
2. You are listening to music.
3. He is watching television.
4. She is cooking dinner.
5. It is raining.
6. Alejandra is playing tennis.
7. We are studying grammar.
8. Alejandra and I are swimming in the pool.
9. They are driving to class.
10. Alejandra and Diego are doing homework.
Be Verbs in the Present Continuous
- I –> am
- He / She / It / Singular Nouns –> is
- You / We / They / Plural Nouns –> are
💡 Tip: If you need a refresher on subjects, check out our complete guide on subject pronouns.

When Do We Use the Present Continuous?

1. Actions happening in the present moment – right now.
- She is eating pizza.
- They are watching a movie.
2. Actions happening over a longer period of time.
- They are studying English at UNAM.
- Karina is traveling in Mexico this summer.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ She cooking dinner.
✅ She is cooking dinner.

❌ They is playing soccer.
✅ They are playing soccer.

❌ He am running.
✅ He is running.

The present continuous is a very useful tense for describing what’s happening right now. Remember the pattern: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. With practice, it will become natural to use.

Negative Statements in the Present Continuous

Sometimes we need to say what is not happening. That’s where negative statements come in.

How to Form the Present Continuous (Negative Statements)

The structure of negative statements in the present continuous is simple:

Subject + Be verb (am / is / are) + not + Verb + -ing
1. I am not drinking coffee.
2. You are not listening to music.
3. He is not watching television.
4. She is not cooking dinner.
5. It is not raining.
6. Alejandra is not playing tennis.
7. We are not studying grammar.
8. Alejandra and I are not swimming in the pool.
9. They are not driving to class.
10. Alejandra and Diego are not doing homework.
📘 Remember: Contractions
1. Subject Pronoun + Be Verb
I am → I’m
You are → You’re
He is → He’s
She is → She’s
It is → It’s
We are → We’re
They are → They’re

2. Be Verb + Not
is not → isn’t
are not → aren’t
am not → (❌ no contraction; just say I’m not)

3. Singular Nouns + Is
Maria is → Maria’s
The teacher is → The teacher’s
My dog is → My dog’s

👉 Be careful! Maria’s can also mean Maria’s book (possessive). Context will tell you the meaning.

When Do We Use the Present Continuous (Negative Statements)?

1. Actions not happening in the present moment – not right now.
- She is not eating pizza.
- They are not watching a movie.
2. Actions that are not happening over a longer period of time.
- They are not studying English at UNAM.
- Karina is not traveling in Mexico this summer.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ She not cooking dinner.
✅ She is not cooking dinner.

❌ They not playing soccer.
✅ They are not playing soccer.

❌ I amn’t running.
✅ I am not running.

Negative statements in the present continuous are easy once you remember the formula: subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing. Practice using both full forms (is not / are not) and contractions (isn’t / aren’t) to sound more natural in everyday English.

Questions in the Present Continuous

You already know how to make affirmative and negative statements in the present continuous. Now let’s practice asking questions. We use questions in this tense to ask about actions happening right now or over a longer period of time.

Yes/No Questions in the Present Continuous

The structure of Yes/No questions in the present continuous is simple:

Be verb (am / is / are) + Subject + Verb + -ing
1. Am I drinking coffee?
2. Are you listening to music?
3. Is he watching television?
4. Is she cooking dinner?
5. Is it raining?
6. Is Alejandra playing tennis?
7. Are we studying grammar?
8. Are Alejandra and I swimming in the pool?
9. Are they driving to class?
10. Are Alejandra and Diego doing homework?
📘 Remember: Short Answers in the Present Continuous
When answering Yes/No questions, we use a short answer with the subject + be verb.
Do not repeat the whole sentence.

Examples:
Q: Are you studying English?
✅ Yes, I am. / ❌ Yes, I am studying English.

Q: Is she cooking dinner?
✅ No, she isn’t. / ❌ No, she isn’t cooking dinner.

Q: Are they playing soccer?
✅ Yes, they are. / ❌ Yes, they are playing soccer.

👉 Keep it simple: Subject + Be verb.

Wh-Questions in the Present Continuous

When we want more information, we use question words (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How)

The structure of Wh- questions in the present continuous is simple:

Wh-word + Be verb (am / is / are) + Subject + Verb + -ing
1. What are you reading?
2. Where is he going?
3. Who is she talking to?
4. Why are they laughing?
5. How am I doing?
Example Conversation

A: What are you doing?
B: I’m studying English.
A: Are you studying at the library?
B: No, I’m not. I’m studying at home.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ You are studying? (word order is wrong)
✅ Are you studying?

❌ Where you are going?
✅ Where are you going?

❌ She is talking who?
✅ Who is she talking to?

Spelling Rules for the -ing Form

1. Most Verbs (add -ing)
1. work –> working
2. eat –> eating
3. sleep –> sleeping
2. Verbs ending in -e (drop the -e. Add -ing)
1. make –> making
2. bake –> baking
3. write –> writing
3. One-syllable verbs with vowel + consonant

→ double the consonant + -ing
1. run –> running
2. sit –> sitting
3. stop –> stopping
⚠️ Do not double w, x, y
1. snow –> snowing
2. fix –> fixing
3. play –> playing
4. Verbs ending in -ie → change -ie to -y + -ing
1. die → dying
2. lie → lying
3. try –> trying
🚫 Common Mistakes in Spelling the -ing Form
❌ makeing
✅ making

❌ runing
✅ running

❌ stoping
✅ stopping

❌ lieing
✅ lying

Simple Present vs. Present Continuous

English learners often confuse the simple present and the present continuous, but they are used in different situations.

The Simple Present

We use the simple present for:
- Habits and routines → I wake up at 7:00 every day.
- General facts and truths → Water boils at 100°C.
- Schedules or timetables → The bus leaves at 8:00 a.m.
Formula: Subject + Base Verb (add -s for he/she/it / singular nouns)
- We go to class during the week.
- She works in an office.
- They play soccer on Sundays.
- Regina eats breakfast at 7:00 in the morning.
The Present Continuous

1. Actions happening in the present moment – right now.
- She is sleeping.
- They are watching YouTube.
2. Actions happening over a longer period of time.
- They are studying English at UNAM.
- Karina is losing weight.
✅ Key Differences
- Use the simple present for things that are always true or a regular action.
- Use the present continuous for things that are happening right now or are happening over a longer period of time.
👉 Examples:

Simple Present:
1. I live in Mexico. (a fact)
2. I eat pizza on Friday nights. (regular action/habit/routine)
Present Continuous:
1. I am studying for an exam. (happening right now)
2. I’m living in Mexico this year. (over a longer period of time)
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ She is cooking dinner every Friday night.
✅ She cooks dinner every Friday night.

❌ They play soccer right now.
✅ They are playing soccer right now.

❌ He studies English right now.
✅ He is studying English right now.

Let’s Practice!

Exercise A

Use the cues to write affirmative or negative statements in the present continuous. Use contractions.
1. They / play soccer.
2. Ana / not live in Spain.
3. You / sit at the bus stop.
4. She / write an email to a friend.
5. I / fix my bike.
Exercise B

Unscramble the words to form questions.
1. is / she / at UNAM / English / studying / ?
2. of music / what kind / he / is / listening to / ?
3. visiting / when / you / are / Mexico / ?
4. are / they / where / traveling / summer / this / ?
5. Frida / is / a portrait / painting / ?
Exercise C

Complete each sentence with the correct simple present or present continuous form of the verb in parentheses. Do not use contractions.
1. She _____ (practice) English when she isn’t in class.
2. That’s my dog by the tree. It _____ (bark) at a squirrel.are takin
3. Maria’s parents _____ (live) in Argentina.
4. Diego _____ (wear) a hat. It is sunny outside.
5. He _____ (listen to) the Joe Rogan podcast every day.
6. My girlfriend _____ (look) for her purse. She is buying me lunch today.
7. I _____ (need) to buy a new car. Taking the bus is horrible.
8. I _____ (hear) loud music next door. My neighbors are annoying!!!
9. The teacher _____ (grade) exams right now.
10. They _____ (take) a test this morning.
Check Your Answers

Scoring & Feedback

🔵 17 – 20 correct

Excellent work! 🎉You really understand the present continuous. Keep using it in your everyday conversations and writing.

🟢 14 – 16 correct
Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of the present continuous. Review the ones you missed.

🟡 7 – 13 correct
Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

🔴 0–6 correct
No worries! 🌱 The present continuous can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

📚 Want more reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice? Check out the Essential English series on Amazon!

Conclusion

The present continuous tense gives your English life, energy, and movement. It’s the tense of right now—the tense that helps you describe what’s happening around you now and over longer periods of time. By mastering affirmatives, negatives, questions, contractions, spelling rules, and knowing when to use it (and when not to!), you’ve built a strong foundation for clear and confident communication.

Remember: learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Every time you say “I’m learning English” you are using the present continuous to tell the truth about your journey. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. Your English is not standing still—it’s moving forward, step by step.

Leave a comment below!

And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!
September 21, 2025