Here are some ways of talking what we think might happen, when we don't really know.
Here are some ways of talking about what we think might happen, when we don't really know.
Model these sentences so that they're true for you
- There's a good chance that tonight I'll cook my favourite dinner.
- It's quite likely that by 2025 I'll have moved out
- There are bound to be unexpected expenses if I want to renovate at home
- By the end of the year, I may have made up my mind about upgrading my computer
- There's not much likelihood that I shall get a dog in the foreseeable future
Model these sentences so that they match your own views on society
- There's not much likelihood that hipsters go out of fashion this year either
- Facebook is extremely likely to continue to have the lion's share of social networking
- Chances are that tablets will replace laptops entirely
- There's bound to be a decline in hotel reservations this year
- This year we could be looking at an upsurge/increase in trade for ecological products
- This year we might be looking at an improvement / worsening of the social /political situation in the European Union
More expressions you can use to speculate
- No doubt the Joneses Will be there
- It's unlikely that she'll come now
- I bet / you can bet (that) they'll be late
- There's no chance of them coming now
- In all probability, it will be raining
- My guess is that she'll lose
- There's just a chance that it will work
- Anna may well pass the exam
Other ways of referring to the future
- Is/are to be (This is used to describe formal arrangements)
All students are to assemble in the hall at 9.00 - Be about to, be on the point of, be due to, just/just about to: be about to and be on the point of both refer to the next moment. Be due to refers to scheduled times
I think the play is about to start now
The play is due to start in five minutes