2 Complete the predictions with the words and phrases in the box. could be going to (x2) may not
not going to probably unlikely will (x3)
won’t
1 Tom won’t be there yet. Let’s face it, he’s always late.
2 A: So, do you think it’s likely you get the job?
B: Well, it’s . Over 500 people have applied and I guess they’re looking for someone with more experience than me.
3 I really don’t like the look of those black clouds. I’m sure there’s be a big storm very soon.
4 Mia’s doing very well at school. I hope she continue her studies at university. I’m sure she make an excellent teacher.
5 We be able to sell our house in the current weak economic climate but we’re try. We lucky and find the right buyer. You never know!
6 I’m sorry but I’m be at work this week. The doctor said I have ’flu and must stay at home.
- In this sentence, the phrase "won’t be" is used to indicate a future action that is unlikely to happen. It suggests that Tom is always late and, based on that, it is predicted that he will not arrive on time.
2. A: So, do you think it’s likely you get the job?
B: Well, it’s unlikely. Over 500 people have applied and I guess they’re looking for someone with more experience than me.
- In this conversation, the phrase "it’s unlikely" is used to express a prediction about the future. Based on the fact that over 500 people have applied, the person believes that their chances of getting the job are low.
3. I really don’t like the look of those black clouds. I’m sure there’s going to be a big storm very soon.
- In this sentence, the phrase "going to be" is used to predict a future event based on the speaker's observations. The speaker sees black clouds and assumes that they indicate an upcoming storm.
4. Mia’s doing very well at school. I hope she continues her studies at university. I’m sure she will make an excellent teacher.
- In this sentence, the phrases "hope she continues" and "will make" are used to express predictions about Mia's future. The speaker believes that Mia's success at school will lead her to continue studying at university and become an excellent teacher.
5. We may not be able to sell our house in the current weak economic climate, but we’re going to try. We could be lucky and find the right buyer. You never know!
- In this sentence, the phrases "may not be able to" and "going to try" are used to express possibilities and intentions for the future. The speaker acknowledges that selling their house in the current economic climate may be difficult, but they plan to try anyway. They also mention the possibility of being lucky and finding the right buyer, emphasizing the uncertainty of the outcome.
6. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be at work this week. The doctor said I have ’flu and must stay at home.
- In this sentence, the phrase "not going to be" is used to indicate a future action that will not happen. The speaker states that they will not be at work because they have been advised by the doctor to stay at home due to having the flu.