生活英语对话 Episode 9: The favour

（单词翻译）

本单元是关于求助别人的对话

Michal: I'm going to see a film tonight. Will anyone like to come with me?
Alice: Oh I'd love to Michal but I have to iron all these shirts for Tim.
Helen: Look, why don't you go with Michal and I'll iron the shirts?
Michal: Oh Helen, that's so kind of you.
Alice: But don't you want to go to the cinema too?
Helen: Yes but I need to study. I'll do the shirts, phone the landlord¹ about keeping the cat and then I'll hit the books.
Alice: Oh thanks, we owe you. Bye!
Michal: Bye!
Helen: Oh Cat! What could I do? They seem made for each other.


Vocabulary:

A favour (n): An act of kindness over and above what is usual. Could you do me a favour and lend me ?0?

To hit the books (informal): To study

They seem made for each other: They are a perfect couple. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston seemed made for each other. Everyone was really surprised when they got divorced²

本单元的语言点是将来时的表达形式，我们可以用不同的形式表达将要发生的事，例如：will, going to and shall.

We can use different forms to talk about future time in English, for example, will, going to and shall.

We will look at other forms (present continuous³, present simple and future perfect) in another language point.

will + base verb:

To make a prediction based on personal opinion
I think you'll love this film. It's got John Cusack in it.
She's convinced⁴ that the team won't win the cup.

Note: In spoken English will is usually shortened⁵ to 'll

To express a decision made at the moment of speaking
You go with Michal and I'll iron the shirts.
We've run out of sugar. I'll buy some later today.

To express future facts
Beijing will host the next Olympics.
The class will finish at 7:30 tonight.

In formal written style to express future events (often planned in detail)
This clinic will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday.
We are sorry there will be no deliveries⁶ of mail during next week's postal⁷ strike.

be + going to + base verb:

To make a prediction based on present evidence
Look at those dark clouds, it's going to rain.
The traffic is terrible! We're going to be late.

To talk about plans already made
I'm going to see a film tonight (I've already bought my ticket).
I've been working hard all week so this weekend I'm not going to do anything at all!

shall + base verb:

Used with 'we' or 'I' in formal situations or in writing

We shall be delighted to have you over for dinner.

I shall visit London from the 4th to the 7th of June.