ADV. 15. MAKING PLANS

1. FOR NOW

1. METAPHORS FOR DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

Difficult situations

Metaphors and idioms help us understand a situation better. Life is unpredictable. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. Everything seems to be happening at once, and things start to get on top of you. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all too much. I had so much going on that I felt like I was drowning. He was overwhelmed, and felt like he was drowning.  You just have to deal with what life throws at you. Getting through a difficult situation We also use metaphors for our successful emergence from a struggle. It was difficult, but I came out the other side. It's going to be clear skies from now on. unpredictable future - waiting for a bus feeling overwhelmed - drowning everything we have to deal with - what life throws at you to survive - to come out the other side

2. EXPRESSIONS FOR LIVE

1) 

No matter how much you plan, the future is unpredictable. =
The future is uncertain, even if you plan a great deal.

Whether you like it or not, you have to deal with life. =
We've no choice but to deal with what life throws at us.

After thinking it through, I decided to be more organized. =
After careful consideration, I became better prepared.

So as not to work too much overtime, I managed my time. =
I organized my schedule to avoid working too much.

Whenever you feel that life's too much, make a plan. =
Planning is a good strategy for dealing with life.

In case I had to take time off, I warned my boss about it. =
I talked to my boss because I might need time off.

3. CONDITIONALS FOR POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Possibility and probability

Conditional sentences describing possibility and probability often use can and could in the if clause. Clauses with can are a little more definite than those with could. If I can get to the end of this project, I'll feel a lot better. If I could just make some kind of plan, it would help me focus. Degrees of possibility and probability are often expressed with modals in the result clause. The modals might and could communicate possibility.  If I could just make some kind of plan, it might help me focus. If I can get a little bit ahead, it could take a lot of the pressure off. If I can manage things, we could meet the target.  The modal should is a little stronger, usually indicating probability.  If you can manage your time carefully, you should be able to meet your targets. If you're careful, you should meet your targets. If I could organize myself, it should make a difference. If you're careful, you should be successful. The modal would is the strongest, indicating strong probability or a definite result. If he can establish a regular routine, it would make a big difference. If I could make some kind of plan, it would help me focus. If you can manage your schedule, you'd be successful. If I could get organized, it would really help.  You can also use the modal will in conditional sentences when the if clause is in the present tense.  Will communicates a definite result. If I can organize myself better, it will make a big difference. If I can get ahead, it will take a lot of the pressure off. If you can meet the schedule, you'll be fine. If you make a plan, you'll feel less overwhelmed. If I can get ahead, it will take the pressure off.

2. FOR LATER TODAY

1. FUTURE PERFECT FOR TALKING ABOUT TASKS 

Future perfect

The future perfect tense is extremely useful when you are talking about schedules and deadlines because it tells us that something will have been completed by a certain time in the future. It is formed with will or going to + have + the past participle of the verb. I won't have finished it by then.I'll have it done by the end of the weekend. The preposition by is often used to indicate the finishing point of a project. I'm going to have completed the project by the end of next week. When you are communicating various degrees of probability that something will be completed, you can use modals like should instead of will.

I should have the project finished by the end of next week.

Harry: So, I'm a little worried about some upcoming project deadlines. Do you generally meet your deadlines?
Jane: Well, to be honest, I do struggle with deadlines sometimes.

Harry: Really? Like which ones?
Jane: Well, I told my boss I was going to have completed a project by the end of today. I'm afraid I won't have finished it by then.

Harry: And will that create problems for you?
Jane: Maybe, but today's Friday, so my plan is to work this weekend. I should have it finished before work on Monday.

Harry: OK, but that really puts a burden on you. If you're working on the weekend, you're not spending time with your family.
Jane: I know, I know. But I have to have it done before Monday

2. CONDITIONALS FOR ADVICE

Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences can be used to give advice. Use the result clause to give advice, not the if clause.

If you're struggling with something, you should first be honest with yourself. With imperatives You can use imperatives in the result clause to give stronger advice. If you won't have something done on time, be clear about it and explain why. With modals in an inverted sentence You can also give advice with modals in an inverted sentence. Inverted sentences change normal sentence patterns to emphasize important information. Here, the emphasized information is found in the What clause at the beginning. What you should always do if you can't meet a deadline, is be open and honest about it. JANE: I have to have it done before Monday. HARRY: I think that's a mistake. Your family is just as important as any project. If you won't have something done on time, be clear about itand explain why. It's not the end of the world if you're late. JANE: I guess you're right. And with the new plan I discussed with my advisor, hopefully this won't be happening too much in the future. HARRY: Right, you never know what life is going to throw at you. This is just my two cents, but I think what you should always do if you can't meet a deadline, is be open and honest about it. And, if possible, explain the reasons why.    JANE: Of course, you're right. HARRY: I'm sorry that I'm being so critical, but I'm your friend. I'm trying to help. If you're struggling with something, you should first be honest with yourself, then talk to others. We all have limitations

3. FOR FIVE YEARS' TIME

1. INFINITIVE CLAUSES

Future plans

There are many common verbs that can be followed by an infinitive clause to express future plans. These include want, intend, be able, and plan. Notice that allow is followed by an object before the infinitive. That will allow me to have a better sense of where you're headed. If I haven't been able to do that by then, I have to admit I'll be a bit disappointed. When it's not important who is doing an action, you can use a passive form of the infinitive with to + be + the past participle. I want to be seen as independent. Infinitive clauses can also function as subjects of a sentence. To become a manager of a department would at least be different from what I'm doing now. You can modify the verb in an infinitive clause by adding an adverb after the word to. I want to actually have more independence. JANE: Well, I really want to be seen as independent and to actually have more independence. ADVISOR: Why is that? JANE: Well, I'll be finishing my fourth year with this company at the end of the year and I'm already feeling very restless. I really need to havemore control over my own destiny. ADVISOR: I can understand that feeling. If you can't realize that goal, do you see yourself being unhappy? JANE: Unhappy? No. ADVISOR: Good. Do you see any possibility of being more independent with your present company? JANE: Um, that's a difficult question. Like I said before, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. If I'm still in my current company or in another company in five years, I want to be running a team or even a department. To become a manager of a department would, well, it would at least be different from what I'm doing now.

2. FUTURE CONTINUOUS

Talking about the future

Pay attention to the use of the future continuous tense in their discussion. For example:

A. And now I'd like to talk a bit about the future, you know, maybe what you think you'll be doing in five years or so.
B. I guess I would have to say that I hope I'll be running my own business.


I'll be working in a big university by then.

I'll be finishing my fourth year at the company in June.

I would have to say I hope I'll be running my own business by then.


What do you think you'll be doing in five years?

I think the economy will be doing much better.
I'll be finishing my third year with this company.
I hope that I'll be running my own business.
Hopefully we'll be living somewhere overseas.
He'll be working as a professor in a university.

3. COMPLEX CONDITIONALS 

Mixed conditionals

Conditional sentences are actually quite flexible. It is possible to mix the times in the two clauses depending on the meaning that you want to convey. In this example, the speaker combines a present perfect tense with a future one to convey a sophisticated idea about her future plans: If I haven't been able to do that by then, I'll be considering other options. In this conditional sentence, the speaker connects a past event with her feelings about her future: If I hadn't gotten this job, my future plans would be much more limited. Here, the speaker talks about her current feelings and connects them to the past: If I were unhappy, I would have changed jobs a long time ago. If I haven't been able to do it by then, I'll consider other options. If I hadn't gotten  this job, my future plans would be more limited. If I were unhappy, I would have changed jobs a long time ago. If you're asking if I have to have my own business, the answer is no. If I had gotten an MBA, I'd be a manager now. If he were a hard worker, he would have been promoted years ago.

4. FOR THE DISTANT FUTURE 

1. FINANCIAL PLANNING COLLOCATIONS

Financial collocations

Remember that collocations are words that typically go together. We have a lot of home equity due to steadily rising property prices. Tax-free accounts can be a good investment opportunity. It's important to have a contingency plan in your financial planning. Your credit rating is important in determining your mortgage payment. A retirement plan is a critical part of most people's personal finances. I'm looking for an investment opportunity. I make my mortgage payment every month. It's important to have a good credit rating. I have a retirement plan through my company. Home equity depends on house prices. Do you have a financial plan for the future? Your credit rating controls the mortgage payment. My financial plan includes a contingency plan. I have a solid retirement plan through my company. Home equity depends on property prices. Tax-free accounts are an investment opportunity.

2. LEVELS OF PROBABILITY

Probability and possibility

There are many possibilities between will happen and won't happen. By combining two or even three phrases for expressing possibility, you can express this very nuanced view of the future. I might possibly set up a tax-free account. I guess we could possibly sell the house. I haven't put in as much as I probably should have. I may well increase my monthly contribution. Tautologies A tautology consists of two statements, one of which will always be true. For example, You will get the job or not get the job. People use tautologies when they do not know what will happen, but want to say something. You will or you won't save enough, but I highly recommend it. It is what it is. It's possible that prices could continue rising. My investments may be enough. It is what it is. I probably should have contributed more. I may well increase my monthly contribution. I guess we could possibly sell the house.

3. LINKING SHORT- AND LONG TERM GOALS

Time expressions

There is a whole range of time expressions for talking about long-term and short-term plans. Notice that the sentences below all begin with statements about the short term, but end with information about the longer term.

It's important to have both short-term and long-term goals. At the moment, I don't think much about retirement, but farther down the road I'll get more serious about it. Right now I'm renting, but eventually I'd love to own my own home. For the time being, my personal finances are OK, but later on, I'll need a real plan. Short term for the time being for now at the moment Long term eventually farther down the road later on At the moment, I don't have a contingency plan. For now I'm renting, but eventually I'll purchase. For the time being, we're in good financial shape. Farther down the road I'll need a better job. I have both short-term and long-term goals.