The Broken Printer: B1 Future Forms in Messages

Read for purpose as well as form

Read these fictional office messages. The team needs workshop notes today, but its printer has stopped. Notice which actions are decided during the conversation, which were planned earlier, and which have already been agreed with someone else. A paper tray holds paper; a replacement is something used instead of an old or broken item.

The message thread

Monday, 8:45 — Maya: The office printer has stopped again. The screen says the paper tray is empty, but I filled it five minutes ago. I need twelve copies of the workshop notes before eleven.

8:47 — Leo: I’m next to my laptop now. I’ll email the notes to everyone, so they can read them on their phones. I’ll also put one copy on the meeting-room screen. That should help anyone whose phone battery is low, and we can avoid delaying the start of the session.

8:50 — Maya: Thanks. Look at this dark mark on the cable. I think the printer is going to fail completely if we keep using it. Let’s leave it switched off.

9:05 — Sam: I spoke to the repair company yesterday. A technician is visiting our office at ten tomorrow. The company confirmed the appointment by email. She is bringing a replacement cable. Please make sure somebody is at reception.

9:10 — Leo: Good. We decided last week that our team needs a second printer. We’re going to compare three models on Friday. We haven’t ordered anything yet.

9:12 — Maya: Fine. For today’s workshop, digital notes will probably be enough. I’ll tell the presenter about the change now.

Context makes the difference

The messages give evidence and timing: Leo responds immediately at 8:47; Sam refers to yesterday’s booking; the team’s comparison plan was decided last week. Going to fail foregrounds evidence from the cable, while will probably be enough gives an expectation. These are useful interpretations, not a claim that no other future form could ever express a similar message.

Twelve practice questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation. If you prefer, note your answers before revealing the key.

Answer key and explanations

1. Twelve — The first message says she needs twelve copies.

2. Before eleven today — Maya needs them before eleven; the thread is about today’s workshop.

3. Maya filled the tray five minutes earlier — Maya says she filled it five minutes ago.

4. A decision made in response to the problem — Leo responds to Maya’s new problem with an offer and immediate decision.

5. A dark mark on the cable — Maya explicitly points to a dark mark on the cable.

6. A confirmed arrangement — Sam gives a time and says the company confirmed the appointment.

7. Tomorrow at ten — Sam says ten tomorrow.

8. A replacement cable — Sam states she is bringing a replacement cable.

9. Last week — Leo says the team decided last week.

10. A prior intention — The team has an existing plan; it has not ordered anything yet.

11. They will probably be enough — Her final message says digital notes will probably be enough.

12. A technician is going to visit tomorrow at ten. — Going to can present the intended visit. The continuous in the original foregrounds its confirmed arrangement.

Write three short replies

Write one prediction about a visible problem, one immediate decision to help, and one message confirming a real arrangement. Give enough context to show each meaning. Use invented names or situations if you prefer. There is no single correct reply. Avoid promising services or times that were never agreed.

Model 1: evidence-based prediction

Look at the torn handle on this box. It’s going to break if we lift the box that way. Let’s support the bottom. The visible damage explains why the writer expects a problem.

Model 2: immediate decision

You can’t open the attachment? I’ll send a PDF version now. The writer reacts to a problem and decides on a helpful action while replying.

Model 3: confirmed arrangement

The repair company has confirmed our booking. We’re meeting the technician in reception at ten tomorrow. The time and confirmation make the arrangement clear.

Check your replies

Check will + base verb, be going to + base verb, and be + -ing. Make the purpose understandable from context. A valid alternative may use another future form to emphasise a different aspect; explain that choice rather than calling every alternative wrong.

Related learning

English Tenses Chart with Examples