Relative clauses - non-defining relative clauses

Relative clauses add extra information to a sentence by defining a noun. They are usually divided
into two types – defining relative clauses and non-defining relative clauses.

Non-defining relative clauses: Look at this sentence.

 My grandfather, who is 87, goes swimming every day.

‘who is 87’ is a non-defining relative clause. It adds extra information to the sentence. If we take
the clause out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning.
Look at some more examples.

 The film, which stars Tom Carter, is released on Friday.

 My eldest son, whose work takes him all over the world, is in Hong Kong at the moment.
 The car, which can reach speeds of over 300km/ph, costs over $500,000.

Non-defining relative clauses add extra information to sentences.

Defining or non-defining?
Remember that defining relative clauses are used to add important information. The sentence
would have a different meaning without the defining relative clause.

 I’m going to wear the skirt that I bought in London. The defining relative clause tells us which
skirt.
 The skirt, which is a lovely dark blue colour, only cost £10. The non-defining relative clause
doesn’t tell us which skirt – it gives us more information about the skirt.

Non-defining relative clauses can use most relative pronouns (which, whose etc,) but they CAN’T
use ‘that’ and the relative pronoun can never be omitted.

 The film, that stars Tom Carter, is released on Friday.

Non-defining relative clauses are more often used in written English than in spoken English. You
can tell that a clause is non-defining because it is separated by commas at each end of the clause .
Future Tense made easy
subject + auxiliary verb WILL + main verb
I will open the door - She will not at school tomorrow – She won’t at school tomorrow
Will they want dinner?
How do we use the Future Simple Tense?

No Plan
We use the future simple tense when there is no plan or decision to do something before
we speak. We make the decision spontaneously at the time of speaking

In these examples, we had no firm plan before speaking. The decision is made at the time
of speaking:

A: I'm really hungry.

B: I'll make some sandwiches.
A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

- We will see what we can do to help you. -May be we´ll stay in and watch TV tonight.

We often use the future simple tense with the verb to think before it:
I’ll think I go to the gym tomorrow - I don’t think I’ll buy that car

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise "Will" is usually used in promises.

I will call you when I arrive.

If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to
inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful. - I won't tell anyone your secret.
USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person
intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or
not. Examples:
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
 Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future.
We often use the future simple tense to make a prediction about the future. Again, there is
no firm plan.
We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some examples:
Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the
subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the
following examples, there is no difference in meaning. Examples:
The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
John Smith will be the next President.
John Smith is going to be the next President.
The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards

It will rain tomorrow. - People won't go to Jupiter before the 22nd century.
Who do you think will get the job?
Be
When the main verb is be, we can use the future simple tense even if we have a firm plan
or decision before speaking. Examples:
I'll be in London tomorrow. - I'm going shopping. I won't be very long.
Will you be at work tomorrow?
Note that when we have a plan or intention to do something in the future, we usually
use other tenses or expressions, such as the present continuous tense or going to
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc.
Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used. Examples:

When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
When you arrive tomorrow, we will go out for dinner. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc. Examples:
 You will never help him.
 Will you ever help him?
 You are never going to meet Jane.
 Are you ever going to meet Jane?
Future Continuous
[will be + present participle]
Examples:
 You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
 Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
 You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

Future Continuous with "Be Going To "

[am/is/are + going to be + present participle]
Examples:
 You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
 Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
 You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Continuous with little
difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a
shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
 I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.
 I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.
 I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you need to contact me.

 He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she arrives.

Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather
than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future
tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in the future. In
addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER.
 At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.
WE WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING THROUGH THE DESERT.
REMEMBER
In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or end. In the
Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.
Examples:
 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.
I AM GOING TO START EATING AT 6 PM.
 Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I AM GOING TO START EARLIER AND I WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER AT 6 PM.

USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
 I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.
 Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
 While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.
NOTICE "IS READING" BECAUSE OF THE TIME CLAUSE CONTAINING "WHILE." (SEE EXPLANATION BELOW)

USE 4 Atmosphere in the Future

In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a specific point in the
future.
Example:
 When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others
are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza, and several people are going to be
drinking beer. They always do the same thing.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of
Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.
Examples:
 While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct
 While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses.
Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Future.
Examples:
 Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct
 Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc.
Examples:
 You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
 Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
 You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?