Be going to, Will, Present Simple and Continuous (To talk about the future)

Be going to, Will, Present Simple and Continuous (To talk about the future)

by Manuel Osornio

​Be going to

• ​We use be going to for plans and intentions, which we have already decided to do in the future. 

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Ex. We’ve decided that we are going to eat out.

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• We can also use be going to to make predictions about the future, particularly when we have evidence for the prediction.

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Ex. I’ve studied hard for this exam. I think I am going to pass. 

Multiple Choice

I ______ see a play tonight.

• am going to

• are going to

• is going to

Multiple Choice

It's late so I don't think he _______ do his homework tonight.

• am going to

• are going to

• is going to

Multiple Choice

We__________ see my mother this summer.

• am going to

• are going to

• is going to

​Will

• We use will and won’t to make general predictions about the future. We often use think, hope, expect etc. with will and won’t to express our opinion.

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Ex. I think our next exam will be easy

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• We also use will and won’t when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking.

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Ex. You look tired. I will make the dinner tonight.

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• ​We use will and won’t to talk about the future when it is an objective truth.

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Ex. It’s my birthday next week. I will be seventeen

Multiple Choice

I ________ go to the cinema tonight.

• will

• was to

• were to

Multiple Choice

He ____ play tennis tomorrow.

• will

• was to

• were to

Multiple Choice

They ______ take the bus to the South next week.

• will

• was to

• were to

​How do I Know which one to use?

​Present Continuous

​We use the present continuous to talk about future arrangements or plans that have been confirmed.

Ex.

Tomorrow we are eating at an expensive restaurant. My parents booked last week.

Multiple Choice

She ______ to the movies. She already bought tickets. 

• is going

• are going

• was going

• were going

Multiple Choice

We _______ the museum in the afternoon. My dad got us tickets already

• are visiting

• is visiting

• was visiting

• were visiting

Multiple Choice

I ___________ to go to my friend's house. My mom already talked to his mom. 

• am going

• are going

• was going

• were going

​Present Simple

• ​We use the present simple directly after time expressions like when, as soon as, until, after and before. We cannot use will with these time expressions.

Ex.

When I go to the shops, I will buy something to eat.

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• We can also use the present simple to talk about the future when the action is part of a timetable or routine.

​Ex.

My class starts at 8 am tomorrow.

Multiple Choice

The bus __________ at 9 pm

• arrives

• arrived

• arrive

Multiple Choice

I ________ at 7 am every day. 

• wake up

• wakes up

• woke up

​Present Simple and Present Continuous

Multiple Choice

My mom ______ at 7 pm from work.

• comes

• come

• came