We use different verb forms to talk about the future. There are a few verb forms we use to talk about plans for the future. This depends on what kind of plans they are.
We use will to talk about a decision made at the time you are speaking. It was not a plan before that.
I think I’ll stay in tonight.
I just got a text from my mum. I’ll phone her later.
We don’t have any bread. I’ll buy some when I go out.
We use going to when we talk about plans decided before the time we are talking about them.
I am going to phone my mum when the film finishes. She sent me a text.
I am going to stay in tonight. I’ve already told Marc not to wait for me.
I know about the bread. I am going to get some. I wrote it on the list.
We usually use the present continuous when the plan is an arrangement with someone else. When we use the present continuous for future plans we are saying that we know the time and place. The present continuous is usually used to speak about people's future plans.
I'm meeting Fred tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
She’s having her birthday party on the beach. Are you coming?
Are you doing anything this weekend?
Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school
Which is the best form for these sentences?
