Present continuous and 'going to' for talking about the future

Dialogue

Emma: Hi, Jack! What are you doing this weekend?

Jack: Hi, Emma! I’m visiting my grandparents on Saturday. Then, I’m going to a concert with my cousin in the evening.

Emma: That sounds fun! Are you meeting anyone else at the concert?

Jack: Yes, we’re meeting some friends there. What about you?

Emma: I’m having lunch with my sister on Saturday, and on Sunday, I’m going shopping with my mom.

Jack: Nice! Are you coming to the football game on Sunday afternoon?

Emma: Yes! I’m coming with my brother. See you there!

Are you meeting anyone else at the concert?

When do we use present continuous for the future?

We use the present continuous tense to talk about future plans that are already arranged. This means we have decided what to do, and we often know the time and place.

Structure:

Subject + am/is/are + verb (-ing) + future time

Examples:

  • I’m flying to Paris next week.

  • She’s meeting her friend tomorrow.

  • We’re having a party on Friday.

We usually use time words like:

  • tomorrow

  • next week

  • on Friday

  • in the evening

Using 'going to' for future plans

The phrase 'going to' is used when we talk about decisions or plans we have already made but may not be fully arranged yet. It is also used for making predictions based on evidence.

Structure:

Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Examples:

  • I’m going to visit my cousin next month. (I have decided, but I may not have booked my ticket.)

  • She’s going to start a new job soon. (She has planned it.)

  • Look at those dark clouds! It’s going to rain. (Prediction based on evidence.)

Difference between present continuous and ‘going to’

Both present continuous and ‘going to’ can talk about the future, but:

  • Present continuous is for fixed plans and arrangements.

  • Going to is for intentions or predictions.

Examples:

  • I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow. (I have an appointment.)

  • I’m going to see the doctor tomorrow. (I plan to do it, but it’s not arranged yet.)

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the present continuous or ‘going to’:

  1. I ______ (meet) my friends for dinner tonight.

  2. She ______ (fly) to New York next Monday.

  3. We ______ (visit) our grandparents this weekend.

  4. They ______ (have) a party on Friday night.

  5. He ______ (start) a new job next month.

  6. Look at those clouds! It ______ (rain) soon.

  7. They ______ (buy) a new car next year.

(Answers: 1. am meeting, 2. is flying, 3. are visiting, 4. are having, 5. is starting, 6. is going to rain, 7. are going to buy)

Now, try making your own sentences using the present continuous and ‘going to’ for future plans!

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