We use different verb forms to talk about our plans for the future –
depending on what kind of plan it is.
1.
Will
We use will to talk about plans
decided at the moment of speaking.
·
I forgot to phone my
mum. I’ll do it after dinner. He decides to phone
his mum when she is speaking – she didn’t have a plan.
·
I can’t decide what
to wear tonight. I know. I’ll wear my black dress.
·
There’s no milk in
the fridge. I’ll buy some when I go to the shops.
2.
Be + going to
We use going to to talk about plans
decided before the moment of speaking.
·
I’m going to phone
my mum after dinner. I told her I’d call at 8 o’clock. He decided to phone his mum before he speaks – he already had a plan.
·
I’m going to wear my
black dress tonight. I need to pick it up from the cleaners.
·
I know there’s no
milk. I’m going to get some. It’s on my shopping list.
3.
Present continuous
We can also use the present continuous to
talk about future plans. We usually use it when the plan is an ‘arrangement’ –
more than one person is involved and we know the time and place.
·
I’m meeting Jane at
8 o’clock on Saturday.
·
We’re having a party
next Saturday. Would you like to come?
·
Are you doing
anything interesting this weekend? We often use
the present continuous to ask about people’s future plans.
Source (www.british.council.com)
