English in Madrid

Look at the following examples that express hopes, plans and so on for the New Year. Then write some of your own ideas for the year ahead. Hopes: I hope (that) I 'll have more free time to do sport. I hope to visit my uncle in London this year. I haven't seen him for years. I wouldn't mind chang ing job. I'm not happy with the one I have. I 'd love to set up my own business but I don't know if I have the determination to succeed. I 'd like to go to the theatre more. I only went once last year.   Resolutions / promises: I 'll try to go to the gym three times a week. I won't drink so much.                               (See post on will for promises, offers... ) Future plans / arrangements: I 'm going to get married in May. I 'm hav ing my summer holidays in September this year....

Image Source Agencia Brasil Diamond Jubilee: Spain's Queen Sofia cancels visit Queen Sofia of Spain has cancelled a visit to the UK to mark Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee because of disputes over the island of Gibraltar. A Spanish government statement said it was "hardly appropriate" for Queen Sofia, 73, to attend a lunch on Friday.  The UK and Spain have been in dispute over fishing rights off Gibraltar, a UK territory which Spain also claims.  Spain has also protested over a visit to Gibraltar by Queen Elizabeth's son Prince Edward and his wife Sophie.  The prince and the Countess of Wessex are to visit Gibraltar on 11-13 June as part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign.  Complaint  Spain continues to claim sovereignty over Gibraltar, which has been ruled by Britain since 1713 under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht.  Queen Sofia's husband, King Juan Carlos, had already declined his invitation to the lunc...

Source:  Drew Beamer on Unsplash Most students only use "will" to talk about the future. This is a mistake. There are three basic future forms: I 'm having lunch with my mother tomorrow . (present continuous) I 'm going to have a party for my birthday. (be going to) Waiter: Are you ready to order? Customer: Yes, I 'll have the steak. (will) Present Continuous We usually use this form with a future time expression. Without one, it means that the action is in progress. Compare: She is leaving. (now) She is leaving at two o'clock this afternoon . What are you doing? (now) What are you doing next weekend ? We use this form to talk about future arrangements; the date and/or place have already been decided. Rangers are playing Celtic in the Cup on Sunday . He 's flying to Berlin on Monday morning . Are you seeing your parents later ? I 'm working until 8 next week . They are getting married on 3rd March . We can also use th...