Sunday, December 24, 2017

grammar - When to use "be going to" / present continuous in future?



In our lesson we have


Be going to




  • future plans (personal)

  • prediction based on something we can see or hear


Present continuous



  • future arrangement

  • fixed plan


Is this right? Can someone explain this to me with examples?



Answer




You use "be going to" for your future plans - the things you intend/have decided to do in the future. For example:


I am going to have a meal with my friends tonight.


you can also use "be going to" for a prediction as you see or hear. For example:


There are clouds in the sky. It's going to rain.


You use the present continuous for future arrangements and fixed plans. For example:


I am going to an ice hockey match in the evening. I bought a ticket for it yesterday.


Nevertheless, you often use either be going to or the present continuous to have similar meanings.


We are going to have a party next week (we intend/have decided to do so).


We are having a party next week (we have made arrangements).


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