Future Forms 2: Due To, About To and Likely To
By the end: I can distinguish a schedule, an imminent action and a prediction of likelihood.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Compare a scheduled delivery with a delivery you think will probably arrive soon.
Useful background: Will, going to and present continuous for future reference.
Due to: expected by a schedule
Be due to plus a base verb describes an event expected or scheduled to happen. Due at or due on can give an expected time. A schedule is not a guarantee that the event will happen exactly as planned.
The parcel is due to arrive tomorrow.
The session is due to start at ten.
The words due to occur in two different constructions
Due describes the schedule; to leave is an infinitive naming the expected action.
Due to rain means caused by rain; rain is a noun.
About to: on the point of happening
Be about to places an action very close to starting. It is not normally used with a distant future time such as next year. It can describe an intention or an event whose beginning is imminent.
I’m about to send the message.
The film is about to begin.
Likely to: a prediction, not a timetable
Be likely to predicts a probable outcome; be unlikely to predicts that it probably will not happen. These forms do not themselves say that something has been formally scheduled. Unlikely does not mean impossible.
The discussion is likely to take an hour.
The shop is unlikely to reopen today.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare the meaning and form; the model is one possible answer.
1. Complete a schedule: The course is due ___ on Monday. Use begin.
Compare a model and explanation
to begin
Due takes a to-infinitive in this pattern.
2. Choose an imminent-action expression for a person opening the door to leave.
Compare a model and explanation
They are about to leave.
About to presents the action as immediately approaching.
3. Rewrite a probability statement: The room will probably be busy.
Compare a model and explanation
The room is likely to be busy.
Likely to expresses predicted probability.
4. Rewrite: It probably won’t finish today.
Compare a model and explanation
It is unlikely to finish today.
Unlikely means probably not, not impossible.
5. Explain why I’m about to graduate next year is normally an awkward imminent-action description.
Compare a model and explanation
About to suggests the immediate future, while next year normally places the event much further away.
The time scale conflicts with the ordinary use being taught.
6. Distinguish due to in The train is due to leave and The delay was due to rain.
Compare a model and explanation
The first concerns a scheduled action; the second means caused by rain.
Identical words participate in different constructions.
7. Write a schedule plus a prediction: The event starts at six; you expect a queue.
Compare a model and explanation
The event is due to start at six, and there is likely to be a queue.
Do not treat the queue as a confirmed arrangement.
8. An item is due tomorrow. Has its arrival tomorrow been guaranteed? Explain.
Compare a model and explanation
No. Due gives an expected or scheduled time; actual events may change.
A timetable and a guaranteed outcome are not identical.
A short conversation
Listen first if you can, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: The new equipment is due to arrive tomorrow. Is the room ready?
B: Almost. I’m about to move the last table.
A: Do you think installation will be quick?
B: It’s likely to take most of the morning, so the afternoon class may need another room.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have their own score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer in each situation. Your score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking task 1
Give a fictional event update with one scheduled event, one imminent action and one prediction.
Reveal a possible response
The training session is due to begin at ten. I’m about to open the room, and the first activity is likely to take twenty minutes. We can adjust the break if necessary.
Success check: Keep the three kinds of future reference distinct.
Speaking task 2
Explain a possible delay without claiming certainty.
Reveal a possible response
The equipment is due tomorrow, but the installation is unlikely to finish before lunch. I’m about to contact the technician to check the plan.
Success check: Distinguish confirmed arrangements from your expectations.
Speaking task 3
Correct a colleague who treats likely as guaranteed and due as already completed.
Reveal a possible response
Likely means we expect an outcome, not that it is certain. Due gives an expected time, not proof of completion. We still need confirmation that the work has actually finished.
Success check: Preserve the difference between expectation, schedule and evidence.
Take it with you
I can distinguish a schedule, an imminent action and a prediction of likelihood.