FUTURE PLANS : BE GOING TO , PRESENT CONTINUOUS, WILL

FUTURE PLANS

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Be going to

  We use be going to to talk about present intentions or plans about the future: Sue is going to start university next year.   This can be a near future or the more distant future: I'm going to take a shower in a few minutes( near future).  James is going to be a surgeon one day ( the distant future).   When the verb is go or come, we often use the present continuous: we're going to  (go to ) France. / I'm coming to see you later.

Be going to

Grammar: Affirmative tenses:  Subject + am / are/ is + going to + base verb.  I am (I'm )/  You are (You're) /  She is ( She's)  / He is ( He's) /  It is ( It's) / They are (They're) / We are ( We're ) +going to +  get a new job.   Negative tenses: Subject+ am / are / is + NOT + going to + base verb. I'm not / You aren't / She isn't / He isn't / It isn't / They aren't / We aren't + going to + get a new job.   Yes/ No questions: Am / Are / Is / + subject + going to + base verb+ ? Am I / Are you /  Is she / Is he / Is it / Are they / Are we + going to + get a new job + ?

Present continuous

  We use the present continous to talk about future plans , when arrangements have already been made.   We usually specify a future time such as next week, on Friday night, etc. , unless it is already clear that we are talking about the future :    We're flying to Greece on Friday . ( We've already bought the ticket.)    

Present continuous

  Grammar:  Affirmative tenses: Subject + am / is / are + base verb+ ing + complement.  I  am meeting  Aaron this weekend.   Negative tenses: Subject + am / is / are + NOT + base verb + ing + complement. I am not meeting Aaron this weekend.   Yes/ No questions: Am / Is / Are + subject + base verb + ing + complement +? Are you meeting Aaron this weekend?

Will

We use will for talking about things that we think will happen WITHOUT any special plan or arrangement: I'll see Sean at work.   When we make a decision at the time of speaking, we often use will : I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed.

Will

  Grammar: Affirmative tenses: Subject+ will + base verb+ complement. I will wait with you until the taxi comes.    Negative tenses: Subject+ will +NOT + base verb + complement. I won't wait with you until the taxi comes.   Yes/ No questions: Will + subject + base verb +complement +? Will you wait with me until the taxi comes?