9
Unit 9: The big wedding
Present continuous and 'going to' for future
Select a unit
- 1 Nice to meet you!
- 2 What to wear
- 3 Like this, like that
- 4 The daily grind
- 5 Christmas every day
- 6 Great achievers
- 7 The Titanic
- 8 Travel
- 9 The big wedding
- 10 Sunny's job hunt
- 11 The bucket list
- 12 Moving and migration
- 13 Welcome to BBC Broadcasting House
- 14 New Year, New Project
- 15 From Handel to Hendrix
- 16 What's the weather like?
- 17 The Digital Revolution
- 18 A detective story
- 19 A place to live
- 20 The Cult of Celebrity
- 21 Welcome to your new job
- 22 Beyond the planets
- 23 Great expectations!
- 24 Eco-tourism
- 25 Moving house
- 26 It must be love
- 27 Job hunting success... and failure
- 28 Speeding into the future
- 29 Lost arts
- 30 Tales of survival
Session 1
Time to meet three happy couples who are planning the biggest day of their lives: their wedding day! And as we hear from them, we'll look at some different ways to talk about the future.
Session 1 score
0 / 29
- 0 / 16Activity 1
- 0 / 0Activity 2
- 0 / 5Activity 3
- 0 / 8Activity 4
- 0 / 0Activity 5
Activity 4
Past, present or future?
'We're getting married...'
Now let's look at our happy couples’ plans in a bit more detail. Here are some of things they said. Read them and decide if they are talking about the past, present or future.
Try the quiz
Past, Present or Future?
8 Questions
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 1 of 8
Help
We got engaged on New Year's Eve
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We're getting married in June 2016
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U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyBub3QgcmlnaHQuICJXZSdyZSBnZXR0aW5nIG1hcnJpZWQgaW4gSnVuZSAyMDE2IiBpcyBpbiB0aGUgcHJlc2VudCBjb250aW51b3VzIHRlbnNlLCBidXQgd2Uga25vdyBpdCdzIHRhbGtpbmcgYWJvdXQgdGhlIGZ1dHVyZSBiZWNhdXNlIG9mIHRoZSB0aW1lIGV4cHJlc3Npb24gImluIEp1bmUgMjAxNiIu
I'm going to wear an ivory dress
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U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyBub3QgcmlnaHQuIElmIHlvdSBzYXkgeW91J3JlICdnb2luZyB0byBkbyBzb21ldGhpbmcnIGl0IG1lYW5zIHlvdSB3aWxsIGRvIGl0IGluIHRoZSBmdXR1cmUuIENoYXJsb3R0ZSBpcyAiZ29pbmcgdG8iIHdlYXIgYW4gaXZvcnkgZHJlc3MgaW4gdGhlIGZ1dHVyZSAoYXQgaGVyIHdlZGRpbmcpLg==
I took Andrea to a restaurant
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U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyBub3QgcmlnaHQuICJJIHRvb2sgQW5kcmVhIHRvIGEgcmVzdGF1cmFudCIgaXMgaW4gdGhlIHBhc3Qgc2ltcGxlIHRlbnNlLiBZb3UgY2FuJ3QgdXNlIHRoZSBwYXN0IHNpbXBsZSB0byB0YWxrIGFib3V0IHRoZSBmdXR1cmUu
We're gonna have a church wedding in the morning
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U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyBub3QgcmlnaHQuICdHb25uYScgaXMgYSBzaG9ydCBmb3JtIG9mICdnb2luZyB0bycuIElmIHlvdSBzYXkgeW91J3JlICdnb25uYSBkbyBzb21ldGhpbmcnIGl0IG1lYW5zIHlvdSB3aWxsIGRvIGl0IGluIHRoZSBmdXR1cmUuIFN0ZXZlIGFuZCBBbmRyZWEgYXJlICdnb25uYScgaGF2ZSBhIGNodXJjaCB3ZWRkaW5nIGluIHRoZSBmdXR1cmUu
We're thinking about our honeymoon
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Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom
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And we will soon look at places in Brighton
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Past and Present
Future
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Feedback Summary
Excellent!
Great job!
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You scored:
x / y
1
We got engaged on New Year's Eve
Incorrect
2
We're getting married in June 2016
Incorrect
3
I'm going to wear an ivory dress
Incorrect
4
I took Andrea to a restaurant
Incorrect
5
We're gonna have a church wedding in the morning
Incorrect
6
We're thinking about our honeymoon
Incorrect
7
Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom
Incorrect
8
And we will soon look at places in Brighton
Incorrect
Past, Present or Future?
8 Questions
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 1 of 8
Help
We got engaged on New Year's Eve
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. "We got engaged" is in the past simple, and so this is talking about the past.
Sorry, that's not right. "We got engaged" is in the past simple, and so this is talking about the past.
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 2 of 8
Help
We're getting married in June 2016
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. "We're getting married in June 2016" is in the present continuous tense, but we know it's talking about the future because of the time expression "in June 2016".
Sorry, that's not right. "We're getting married in June 2016" is in the present continuous tense, but we know it's talking about the future because of the time expression "in June 2016".
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 3 of 8
Help
I'm going to wear an ivory dress
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. If you say you're 'going to do something' it means you will do it in the future. Charlotte is "going to" wear an ivory dress in the future (at her wedding).
Sorry, that's not right. If you say you're 'going to do something' it means you will do it in the future. Charlotte is "going to" wear an ivory dress in the future (at her wedding).
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 4 of 8
Help
I took Andrea to a restaurant
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. "I took Andrea to a restaurant" is in the past simple tense. You can't use the past simple to talk about the future.
Sorry, that's not right. "I took Andrea to a restaurant" is in the past simple tense. You can't use the past simple to talk about the future.
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 5 of 8
Help
We're gonna have a church wedding in the morning
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. 'Gonna' is a short form of 'going to'. If you say you're 'gonna do something' it means you will do it in the future. Steve and Andrea are 'gonna' have a church wedding in the future.
Sorry, that's not right. 'Gonna' is a short form of 'going to'. If you say you're 'gonna do something' it means you will do it in the future. Steve and Andrea are 'gonna' have a church wedding in the future.
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 6 of 8
Help
We're thinking about our honeymoon
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. "We're thinking about our honeymoon" is something they are doing now, even though what they are thinking about (their honeymoon) will happen in the future.
"We're thinking about our honeymoon" is something they are doing now, even though what they are thinking about (their honeymoon) will happen in the future.
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 7 of 8
Help
Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. "Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom" is in the present simple tense, and is talking about the present.
Sorry, that's wrong. "Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom" is in the present simple tense, and is talking about the present.
Help
Close
Activity
Move the quotes into the correct columns
Hint
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.Question 8 of 8
Help
And we will soon look at places in Brighton
a
Past and Present
b
Future
Look closely at the verbs. Remember, even if it's in the present continuous tense, it might be talking about the future. Is there a time expression like 'tomorrow' or 'next year' to help you work out the correct answer.
Well done, that's the right answer. The words 'will' and 'soon' refer to the future.
Sorry, that's wrong. The words 'will' and 'soon' refer to the future.
Congratulations you completed the Quiz
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
x / y
Feedback Summary
Excellent!
Great job!
Bad luck!
You scored:
x / y
1
We got engaged on New Year's Eve
Incorrect
2
We're getting married in June 2016
Incorrect
3
I'm going to wear an ivory dress
Incorrect
4
I took Andrea to a restaurant
Incorrect
5
We're gonna have a church wedding in the morning
Incorrect
6
We're thinking about our honeymoon
Incorrect
7
Hi, my name's Anton and I'm 27 and I'm the groom
Incorrect
8
And we will soon look at places in Brighton
Incorrect
Did you notice that the present continuous is used to talk about both the present and the future?
- We're getting married in June 2016 - future
- We're thinking about our honeymoon - present
- We're expecting about 100-120 guests – present and future
In Session 2 we'll explore this. You'll also learn when to use the present continuous and when to use going to to talk about the future.
Next
But first, it's time for 6 Minute Vocabulary. It's a special episode on word stress – which is really important to practise if you want to sound natural in English.
Session Vocabulary
to propose
to ask someone to marry youto get married
what happens on the day of your weddingto be married
what you are after the wedding; having a wife or husbandto get engaged
to ask someone to marry you, and they say yesto be engaged
what you are after asking someone to marry you, and before you get marriedvenue
a place where something happens, usually an eventcatering
making or serving food, often for an eventceremony
official set of acts as part of a social or religious eventinvitation
formal request to go to an eventwetsuit
special clothing worn in the water by divers and surfersphotographer
someone who takes photographs for their jobbride
the woman who is getting marriedgroom
the man who is getting marriedbridesmaids
the women or girls who help the woman getting marriedgroomsmen
the men who help the man getting marriedfare
a type of foodbridal
the adjective related to 'bride'pretty much
almostongoing
continuingcountry bumpkins
people who live in the country, and are sometimes considered to be slow or stupidyurt
a kind of tent, traditionally used by some Central Asian peopleup for (something)
keen (to do something)rustic
typical of a simple and rough, countryside style