Ways to talk about the future
Ways to talk about the future means “English has several ways to talk about the future: will, be going to, and the present continuous for fixed arrangements.”. Use will for on-the-spot decisions and predictions: I'll help you. Formation: will + base verb · be going to + base verb · be + V-ing (arrangement)
English has several ways to talk about the future: will, be going to, and the present continuous for fixed arrangements.
B1Formation
will + base verb · be going to + base verb · be + V-ing (arrangement)
Explanation
Use will for on-the-spot decisions and predictions: I'll help you. It will rain. Use be going to for plans and intentions you already have: I'm going to study medicine. Use the present continuous (be + V-ing) for fixed arrangements, especially with a time and other people: I'm meeting him tomorrow at ten. The three often overlap, so more than one can be correct; the differences are mostly about how certain or how planned the future feels.
Examples
Note
For scheduled events such as timetables, the present simple is also common: The train leaves at six.
FAQ
Ways to talk about the future — what does it mean and how is it used?
English has several ways to talk about the future: will, be going to, and the present continuous for fixed arrangements.. Use will for on-the-spot decisions and predictions: I'll help you. It will rain. Use be going to for plans and intentions you already have: I'm going to study medicine. Use the present continuous (be + V-ing) for fixed arrangements, especially with a time and other people: I'm meeting him tomorrow at ten. The three often overlap, so more than one can be correct; the differences are mostly about how certain or how planned the future feels.
Ways to talk about the future — how do you form it?
will + base verb · be going to + base verb · be + V-ing (arrangement)
Ways to talk about the future — any usage notes?
For scheduled events such as timetables, the present simple is also common: The train leaves at six.