Key points

  • will / won’t + base verb: predictions, promises, quick decisions.
  • intend to + base verb: a firm intention.
  • be thinking of + verb-ing: a plan not decided yet.
  • In ten years’ time, I’ll… : imagining the future.
  • Double the final consonant in stopped, planning, bigger, beginning.

Rules to remember

will
I’ll help you. It won’t be easy. Will you live in a flat?
intend to / thinking of
I intend to find a job. I’m thinking of giving lessons.
Double consonant
1 vowel + 1 consonant (stop » stopped) or stress on the last syllable (begin » beginning); not after 2 vowels (rain » raining) or w/x/y (play » playing).
British -ll
travel » travelled, cancel » cancelled.

How to do it

  1. Promise or prediction? » will.
  2. Firm plan? » intend to. Still thinking? » thinking of + -ing.
  3. Before adding -ed / -ing / -er, check vowel + consonant and stress.

Example

In ten years’ time, I’ll be an engineer. I intend to work in the south, and I’m thinking of starting my own company.

Common mistakes

  • *I will to study* » I will study.
  • *thinking of study* » thinking of studying.
  • *stoped, planing* » stopped, planning.

Key words

Summary written by سكولار for quick revision: it does not replace the lesson and its exercises.