AEE 2442: Avoid the Wall of Formality With This Future Grammar - All Ears English Podcast

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast
Episode: AEE 2442 - Avoid the Wall of Formality With This Future Grammar
Release Date: July 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2442 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsey McMahon and Aubrey Carter delve into the intricacies of future grammar in American English. This episode, titled "Avoid the Wall of Formality With This Future Grammar", aims to help intermediate to advanced English learners enhance their conversational skills by understanding and effectively using different future tense structures to foster genuine connections.

Listener's Question

The episode centers around a thoughtful question from a listener named Asami from Tokyo, Japan:

"I'm not sure how to use the future continuous tense correctly. I heard the following sentences on your show before, and I'm not sure why they use the future continuous instead of the simple future tense. For example, 'I don't think I will be spending much time with her,' 'We will be closing the office today,' 'Hopefully the sun will be shining there.' I would really appreciate if you guys could clarify the difference between the future tense and the future continuous tense."
[03:13] — Asami

Understanding Future Tenses

1. Future Simple

Aubrey Carter introduces the Future Simple tense as the most versatile and commonly used future tense.

Usage: Ideal for expressing future plans, predictions, and spontaneous decisions.
Example:

"We'll see what happens."
[05:50]
Key Point: If in doubt, Future Simple is the go-to choice for most future-related conversations due to its flexibility.

2. Future Progressive (Future Continuous)

The Future Progressive tense is discussed as a means to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action at a specific future time.

Usage: Highlights the duration or continuity of an action in the future.
Example:

"I don't think I will be spending much time with her."
[06:34]
Insight: While both Future Simple and Future Progressive can often be used interchangeably, the latter adds emphasis on the ongoing aspect of the action.

3. Present Progressive for Future

Surprisingly, the Present Progressive tense is also employed to discuss future events, especially in casual conversations to build rapport.

Usage: Ideal for planned and definite future arrangements, making conversations feel more friendly and less formal.
Example:

"Are you doing anything fun this weekend?"
[09:12]
Notable Quote:

"Especially if you're trying to create that connection between people. You don't want to create a wall of formality. Right. Do this. Just use present progressive to be really friendly and build that connection."
[09:31] — Aubrey Carter

Role Play Exercise

To illustrate the practical application of these tenses, Lindsey and Aubrey engage in a role-play scenario discussing their weekend plans. This exercise highlights how different tenses can subtly alter the formality and connection in a conversation.

Example Excerpts:

Lindsey: "I'm meeting my cousin on Saturday. We're going to a concert."
[12:09]
Aubrey: "I'll be visiting my grandparents on Sunday."
[12:15]

Through this dialogue, listeners observe the seamless switch between Present Progressive and Future Progressive to maintain a casual and connected conversation.

The Wall of Formality

A central theme of the episode is avoiding the "wall of formality" in conversations. Aubrey Carter emphasizes:

"You don't want to create a wall of formality. Right. Do this. Just use present progressive to be really friendly and build that connection."
[09:31]

By choosing the appropriate tense—often the Present Progressive—learners can make their interactions feel more personal and less stiff, fostering better connections with native speakers.

Takeaways and Conclusions

Flexibility in Tenses: Understanding when to use Future Simple, Future Progressive, or Present Progressive is crucial for nuanced and natural conversations.
Connection Over Perfection: The hosts reiterate the podcast's motto, encouraging learners to focus on building connections rather than striving for grammatical perfection.
Practical Application: Through real-life examples and role-play, listeners are equipped with strategies to apply these grammatical structures effectively in their conversations.

Final Thoughts:

"If your grammar and your vocabulary can bring down that wall of formality and create a more friendly, more casual connection."
[18:33] — Aubrey Carter

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Transcript

Aubrey Carter (0:00)

This is an Allers English podcast. Episode 2442. Avoid the wall of formality with this future grammar.

Lindsey McMahon (0:10)

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection. With your American host, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe when you ask someone about their upcoming plans, you have at least three tenses to choose from. Today. We break down three grammar tenses for the future to show what they mean for your conversations and connection.

Aubrey Carter (1:11)

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Lindsey McMahon (2:13)

Hey, Aubry. What's going on?

Aubrey Carter (2:15)

I am great. How are you, Lindsay?

Lindsey McMahon (2:17)

Good. Do you have any fun plans? Doing anything fun this weekend?

Aubrey Carter (2:21)

Yes. I'm headed to Rocky Point, Mexico. This is one of our favorite family travel destinations close to Phoenix. Very kid friendly. I can't wait.

Lindsey McMahon (2:30)

Oh, that's amazing. That sounds so fun. I hope you have a great little trip. Sounds fantastic. Yeah. What are we getting into in today's episode? Aubrey?

Aubrey Carter (2:38)

So it's interesting you asked me that question. Are you doing anything fun this weekend? Because you're asking me about the future and you're using the presents. Yeah.

Lindsey McMahon (2:49)