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