Plans, arrangements and decisions: going to, will and the present continuous
Use going to for plans, the present continuous for fixed arrangements, and will for decisions made now
What you'll be able to do
Talk about your plans for the weekend, holidays and work, make arrangements, and offer to help.
Three ways to talk about the future
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| going to + base form | a plan or intention you decided before | I'm going to learn to drive this year. |
| present continuous | a fixed arrangement with a time (often with other people) | I'm meeting Sam at six. |
| will + base form | a decision made at the moment of speaking, an offer, a promise | It's cold. I'll close the window. |
- We're going to paint the kitchen this weekend.a plan we already made
- I'm seeing the dentist on Friday at ten.an arrangement in the diary
- That bag looks heavy. I'll help you.an offer, decided now
- Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.a prediction from what you can see
Often more than one is possible
Fluent speakers often use going to and the present continuous for the same plan (I'm going to visit / I'm visiting my parents on Sunday). In this lesson, the questions only test the clear cases: a decision made now is will; a plan made before is going to.
Common mistakes
I will to call you.After will, the base form: I'll call you.I going to study.You need be: I'm going to study.- The phone rings:
I'm going to answer it.You decide now: I'll answer it.
Practice
- A: We've run out of milk. B: Oh, _____ some on my way home.Options: I'll buy · I buy · I buying
Show the answer
I'll buy — An offer, decided at the moment of speaking: will + base form.
- We've bought the paint. We _____ the kitchen this weekend.Options: are going to paint · will paint · paint
Show the answer
are going to paint — The plan was made before (we've bought the paint): going to.
- Look at that sky! _____.Options: It's going to rain · It rains · It will raining
Show the answer
It's going to rain — A prediction from what you can see now: going to.
- I can't come to lunch tomorrow. _____ my manager at one o'clock.Options: I'm meeting · I meet · I meeting
Show the answer
I'm meeting — A fixed arrangement with a time: the present continuous (I'm going to meet is also fine, but isn't an option).
- That box looks heavy. I _____ (help) you with it.
Show the answer
will help — An offer, decided now: will + base form.
More on this topic: Talking about the future in English