English Conversation

Talking about future events 95

I’ll bet

The present tense is used after the expression I’ll bet, meaning I’m pretty sure it will happen.

I’ll bet she wins the election.

I’ll bet he calls me as soon as he gets home.

Going to

To be going to is used to indicate events planned for the near future (95 percent probability).

We’re going to move to our new house next month.

They’re going to get married in June.

In informal conversation, going to is often pronounced “gonna.”

I’m gonna go see my grandmother this afternoon.

The present progressive (basic verb + -ing) can be used as an alternative to going to (95 percent

probability).

We’re moving to our new house next month.

They’re getting married in June.

We’re planning to go to the game tomorrow.

I’ll be doing homework after school.

Will probably

Will probably + basic verb is used to indicate about a 75 percent probability of happening.

She’ll probably be late.

We’ll probably leave early.

Probably won’t + basic verb is used to indicate about a 25 percent probability of

happening.

He probably won’t come with me.

You probably won’t like this movie.

May/might

May or might + basic verb can be used to express about a 50 percent possibility of something

happening.

He may be late, because he has to work until 6.

She might be late, too.

I might come over tomorrow. It depends on what time I get home.

Maybe

Maybe also expresses about a 50 percent possibility of something happening. Unlike may and

might, it is placed before the subject.

Maybe they’ll be late.

Maybe I’ll come over tomorrow.