A2 · Élémentaire Chapitre 7

Looking Ahead: Plans and Suggestions

4 Règles totales
46 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of talking about your future and making plans with friends.

  • Express your personal intentions using 'going to'.
  • Make spontaneous decisions using 'will'.
  • Propose activities to others using 'let's'.
Design your tomorrow, one sentence at a time.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to talk about your future? This chapter will help you share your exciting plans using going to and make fun suggestions with "Let's." Soon you'll be chatting about what's next with confidence!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: describe your weekend plans using 'going to'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: choose between 'will' and 'going to' based on the situation.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: make group suggestions with 'let's'.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Learning to talk about what’s coming next is a huge step in becoming a more confident English speaker. This chapter is all about giving you the tools to share your future plans and make fun suggestions, moving you smoothly into more advanced conversations. As an A2 English grammar learner, you’re ready to start using phrases like going to to discuss your intentions and express simple predictions.
Imagine being able to tell a new friend about your weekend plans or what you hope to do next year! This is where English looking ahead: plans and suggestions really comes to life.
You’ll also discover how to use will for those spontaneous decisions or quick guesses about the future. And for those moments when you want to invite others to join in, mastering "Let's" for suggestions will make your interactions much more engaging. This guide will help you connect your current thoughts to future actions, ensuring you can participate in everyday chats about what's happening soon.
Get ready to express your exciting plans and ideas with confidence!

How This Grammar Works

Talking about the future in English primarily uses two main structures: going to and will, each with its own specific use. We also have a fantastic, friendly way to make suggestions: "Let's." Let's break them down.
First, going to is your go-to (pun intended!) for discussing plans and intentions that you’ve already thought about. When you say,
I am going to visit my parents next month,
it shows this is a pre-arranged plan, not a sudden idea. It also works for predictions based on current evidence: "Look at those dark clouds!
It is going to rain.
You can see the signs now. Remember, it’s always
be" (am, is, are) + going to + base verb.
Next, we use will for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking or for general predictions and promises without strong current evidence. For instance, if someone asks,
What would you like to drink?
and you haven't thought about it, you might say,
I will have a coffee, please.
This is a quick decision. You also use will for simple predictions or promises:
I think it will be sunny tomorrow
or
I promise I will help you.
Finally, for making suggestions and inviting others to join an activity, we use "Let's.
This is a concise and friendly way to say
Let us.
It’s always followed by the base form of the verb:
Let's go to the park! or Let's watch a movie tonight." It’s perfect for social situations and showing you want to do something together. Understanding these differences is key for clear communication about A2 English grammar futures.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ We are going to going to the beach.
✓ We are going to go to the beach.
*Explanation:* The to in going to is part of the structure for future plans, it's not the verb to go. You still need the main verb after it.
  1. 1✗ I will study for the exam, I already bought the books.
✓ I am going to study for the exam, I already bought the books.
*Explanation:* Buying the books shows a prior plan or intention. Will would imply a sudden decision or a general prediction without this evidence.
  1. 1✗ Let's to eat something.
✓ Let's eat something.
*Explanation:* "Let's
is followed directly by the base form of the verb, without
to."

Real Conversations

A

A

Hey, what are you going to do this weekend?
B

B

I haven't decided yet, but I think I will visit my sister.
A

A

Oh, nice! Let's grab coffee on Sunday morning?
B

B

Sounds good! I'll text you.
A

A

Look, the bus is here!
B

B

Oh, great! I will get on. Thanks for letting me know.
A

A

No problem. I am going to wait for the next one.
B

B

Okay, see you later!

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use going to instead of will for predictions?

Use going to when your prediction is based on something you can see or feel now, like "It's so cloudy, it's going to rain.

Use
will
for general predictions or guesses without current evidence, such as
I think it will be a good year."

Q

Is "Let's" always polite?

Yes, "Let's

is generally a polite and inclusive way to make a suggestion. It implies
we should or we could," inviting others to join in a friendly manner.

Q

Can I use will for plans too?

While you sometimes hear "I'll go to the shop later,

it often implies a less firm or more spontaneous decision than
I'm going to go to the shop later,
which suggests a settled plan. For firm plans,
going to" is clearer.

Q

Are these structures used in both speaking and writing?

Absolutely! These structures for English looking ahead: plans and suggestions are fundamental for both spoken and written communication at the A2 level and beyond.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers fluidly switch between will and going to depending on the context of spontaneity versus pre-planning. You’ll find going to is very common in everyday conversation for discussing weekend plans or intentions. Will pops up often for offers, promises, and instant decisions.
"Let's" is universally friendly and commonly used across all informal social situations, from suggesting a movie to proposing a new project. There are no significant regional differences in the core usage of these forms; they are standard across all English-speaking countries.

Exemples clés (8)

1

I am going to study for my exam tonight.

Je vais étudier pour mon examen ce soir.

Going to : Projets et intentions futurs
2

She is going to visit her grandparents next month.

Elle va rendre visite à ses grands-parents le mois prochain.

Going to : Projets et intentions futurs
3

The phone's ringing! I'll get it.

Le téléphone sonne ! Je vais répondre.

Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions
4

I think it will be a great party.

Je pense que ce sera une super fête.

Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions
5

I'll have the avocado toast, please.

Je prendrai le toast à l'avocat, s'il vous plaît.

Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To
6

I'm going to watch the new season of Wednesday tonight.

Je vais regarder la nouvelle saison de Mercredi ce soir.

Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To
7

Hey, it's a beautiful day! Let's go to the park.

Hé, il fait beau ! Allons au parc.

Faire des suggestions avec "Let's"
8

The movie starts soon. Let's hurry!

Le film commence bientôt. Dépêchons-nous !

Faire des suggestions avec "Let's"

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

N'oublie pas le 'Be' !

Quand tu prépares une phrase avec going to pour tes plans, n'oublie jamais d'ajouter le bon verbe être (am, is, are) juste avant ! C'est comme le moteur de ta phrase.
I am going to
,
She is going to
,
They are going to
.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to : Projets et intentions futurs
💡

Écoute bien les "contractions" !

Dans les conversations rapides, tu entendras presque toujours "I'll«, »you'll«, »he'll", etc., au lieu des formes complètes. Entraîne-toi à les dire à voix haute pour te sentir à l'aise !
Practice saying them out loud to get comfortable!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions
💡

Le test du 'maintenant' !

Si tu peux claquer des doigts et dire 'Je viens d'y penser !', utilise 'will'. Exemple : "Oh, I forgot my keys, I'll go back and get them."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To
💡

Fais court et clair !

'Let's' est fait pour les suggestions directes et concises. Ne complique pas la phrase après, va droit au but ! Par exemple : "Let's dance."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Faire des suggestions avec "Let's"

Vocabulaire clé (6)

intention a plan or aim spontaneous done without planning predict to say what will happen suggestion an idea for a plan tomorrow the day after today decide to make a choice

Real-World Preview

coffee

Planning the Weekend

Review Summary

  • Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb
  • Subject + will + verb
  • Let's + verb

Erreurs courantes

You must include the verb 'to be' (am/is/are) before 'going to'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.

Wrong: I going to swim.
Correct: I am going to swim.

After 'Let's', use the base form of the verb without 'to'.

Wrong: Let's to go.
Correct: Let's go.

Modal verbs like 'will' are followed by the base verb directly. Do not use 'to'.

Wrong: I will to see you.
Correct: I will see you.

Next Steps

You have mastered the future tense! Keep practicing by saying your plans out loud every morning.

Write your schedule for next week using 'going to'.

Continue to: Connecting Ideas and Asking for Details

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

She going to learn Spanish next year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is going to learn Spanish next year.
Le verbe 'be' ('is' pour 'She') est manquant. La structure correcte est 'Sujet + be + going to + verbe à l'infinitif'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to : Projets et intentions futurs

Choisis la bonne forme pour compléter la suggestion.

It's getting late. Let's ___ home.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: go
Après 'Let's', on utilise toujours la forme de base du verbe, sans 'to' ni '-ing'. Donc, 'Let's go' est correct.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Faire des suggestions avec "Let's"

Choisis la bonne forme pour compléter la phrase.

My friends ___ to watch a new movie tonight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: are going
Puisque le sujet est 'My friends' (pluriel), on utilise 'are'. La structure est 'Sujet + be + going to + verbe à l'infinitif'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Going to : Projets et intentions futurs

Quelle phrase utilise 'will' correctement pour une promesse ?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I will help you with your homework.
'Will' est utilisé ici pour faire une promesse ou une offre d'aide. 'Am going to help' impliquerait que c'était un plan pré-arrangé, pas une offre.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

I think it will to rain later.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I think it will rain later.
Après 'will', on utilise toujours la forme de base du verbe, sans 'to'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Let's to meet at the library for our project.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Let's meet at the library for our project.
Le mot 'to' ne doit jamais être utilisé juste après 'Let's'. La structure correcte est 'Let's + verbe de base'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Faire des suggestions avec "Let's"

Choisis la phrase correcte pour une décision soudaine.

Tu vois un ami porter beaucoup de livres. Tu dis :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'll help you!
On utilise 'will' pour les offres spontanées et les décisions prises au moment où l'on parle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

Look! That car will crash into the wall!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Look! That car is going to crash into the wall!
On utilise 'be going to' pour les prédictions quand on a une preuve physique claire (la voiture qui se dirige vers le mur).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To

Choisis la bonne forme pour compléter la décision spontanée.

The phone is ringing. I ___ it!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will answer
C'est une décision spontanée prise au moment où le téléphone a sonné, donc 'will answer' est correct. 'Am going to answer' implique un plan préalable.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futur avec 'Will' : Choix Spontanés & Suppositions

Complète le blanc avec la bonne forme de 'be going to'.

We ___ (travel) to Japan next summer. We already bought the tickets!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: are going to travel
Puisque les billets sont déjà achetés, c'est un plan ferme, donc on utilise 'be going to'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Futur : Différence entre Will et Going To

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Going to est pour les plans que tu as déjà faits ou les prédictions basées sur ce que tu vois maintenant. Will est plutôt pour les décisions spontanées, les promesses, ou les prédictions générales sans preuve concrète. Pense à going to comme 'pré-décidé' et à will comme 'décidé maintenant'. "Think of going to as 'pre-decided' and will as 'decided now'."
Oui, bien sûr ! Ce n'est pas la durée qui compte, mais l'intention. Tu peux dire "I'm going to retire in 20 years
(un plan à long terme) ou
I'm going to grab a coffee in 5 minutes" (un plan à court terme). L'important, c'est que le plan existe.
La structure de base, c'est 'Sujet + will + forme de base du verbe'. Par exemple, I will eat ou She will study.
Pour les phrases négatives, utilise 'Sujet + will not + forme de base du verbe'. La contraction la plus courante est "won't, donc I won't go ou They won't come".
Pas vraiment dans la conversation de tous les jours. Si tu dis
I will go to the gym tomorrow
, ça sonne plus comme une promesse que tu te fais plutôt qu'un événement programmé. Utilise 'going to' pour les plans. Exemple : "I'm going to the gym tomorrow" (Je vais à la salle demain).
Oui, mais ça fait un peu répétitif, tu ne trouves pas ? Les anglophones disent souvent juste "I'm going to the store
(Present Continuous) au lieu de
I'm going to go to the store. Exemple : I'm going to the store" (Je vais au magasin).
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Le passé en action : raconte tes histoires avec style
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Connecting Ideas and Asking for Details
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