Purpose
|
Use
|
Decide to do something as you are
speaking.
|
<
will >
I will just stop by my apartment to change clothes,
and then ..
I will come right over to meet you.
|
For factual information.
For prediction based on what
you know.
|
<
will or going to>
You are going to be out of town,
But you will be back Friday.
My boss is going to make us work late Friday.
Our project won’t be finished on time.
|
For decisions you have made.
For fixed plans.
|
<
present continuous or going to >
I am meeting Anna after my aerobics class.
We are going to have dinner together.
I am not doing anything tonight.
|
For schedules
|
<
simple present >
I have my aerobics class tomorrow.
It starts at 7:00.
|
Example:
I am going to have a little
party at my place Friday night. Can you come? [fixed plan – personal intention]
Actually, I am going to the basketball
game. [fixed plan] It
starts at 8:00. [schedule]. So I don’t think it will
be over until after 9:00. Is that too late ? [prediction]
No at all. My
guess is that the most people will not arrive until 9:00 or 9:30. [prediction]
Great. So I will come over right
after the game. [ decision spontan]
What are you doing tomorrow night?
[fixed plan or arrangement]
Well, I am going to go shopping
for some shoes. But I am free after that. [fixed plan – have already
decided]
When will
you be finished? Do you know? [prediction]
By 8:00. Then
we can meet at the coffee shop.
What am I doing tomorrow nigt?
Actually, I don’t think I am doing anything.
Tonight? Actually I am not doing anything.
Then I am
meeting Anna afterwards.
I would love
to catch up with you.
