Future: Be going to vs Present Simple vs Continuous

We use be going to:

• to talk about arrangements with fixed date or time

• to talk about plans and intentions

• to talk about timetables and schedules

We use present continuous to:

• to talk about plans and intentions

• to talk about timetables and schedules

• to talk about arrangements with fixed time or date

We use present simple to:

• to talk about plans and intentions

• to talk about timetables and schedules

• to talk about arrangements with fixed time or date

Tony ... a friend tomorrow. (meet)

What time ... tomorrow? (leave/you)

Our train ... at 4:47. (leave)

... is used to talk about intentions. (An intention is a plan for the future that you have already thought about, but haven't arranged.)

• Present simple

• Present Continuous

• Be going to

I think ... my parents at the weekend. (visit) I haven't talked to them yet.

The ... is usually used to refer to future events that are scheduled (and outside of our control).

• present simple

• present continuous

• be going to

Hurry up! The class ... in 20 minutes. (start)