Use will ('ll) when you make a decision at the moment of speaking, offer help, make a promise, or predict without visible evidence.
Affirmative: Subject + will / 'll + base verb ·
Negative: Subject + won't / will not + base verb ·
Question: Will + subject + base verb?
Use be going to (a) when a decision or plan was made before the moment of speaking, or (b) when there is visible evidence that something is about to happen.
Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are going to + base verb ·
Negative: Subject + am/is/are not going to + base verb ·
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
Use Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing) for future events when you have a fixed, confirmed arrangement with other people — something is in your diary, tickets are booked, a table is reserved, or it has been organised with someone else.
Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing ·
Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + verb-ing ·
Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?
Use the Present Simple for events on an official timetable or fixed public schedule — transport, cinema showings, shop opening hours, school timetables. These times are set by an institution, not decided by a person.
Affirmative: Subject + base verb (+ -s for he/she/it) ·
Negative: Subject + don't/doesn't + base verb ·
Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
Besides will and going to, native speakers use specific phrases to show exactly how close, certain, or planned a future event is.
My daily routine is usually quite relaxed, but tomorrow is going to be incredibly stressful. I normally wake up at 7:00 AM and have a slow breakfast, but tomorrow I am waking up at 5:30. I am meeting a new client at the office early in the morning. I am very nervous, but I think the meeting will go well. After that, I have a lot of errands to run. My train to the city centre leaves at 10:15 exactly, so I can't be late. I promise I won't oversleep! In the afternoon, my manager and I are having a late lunch to discuss the new schedule. The restaurant opens at 1:00 PM. Once the day is finally over, I am going to go straight to bed. I won't even check my emails.
1. Why is tomorrow going to be different from the normal routine?
2. What time does the train leave?
3. What is the plan for the afternoon?
4. What intention does the writer have for the end of the day?
"Look at this traffic! We are going to miss our flight," David shouted from the driver's seat. Sarah looked at her watch. "Don't panic. The plane departs at 14:30. We still have two hours. I'll check the GPS for a faster route." They were travelling to Berlin for an important conference. Their normal daily routine involved sitting at a desk from 9 to 5, but this week was completely different. They are staying at a hotel near the conference centre. Tomorrow morning, the opening speech starts at 9:00 AM sharp. "Okay, the GPS says we will be there in thirty minutes," Sarah said. "We are meeting the German team for dinner at 8 PM tonight. I hope we aren't too tired."
1. Why is David worried?
2. What spontaneous decision does Sarah make?
3. What time does the opening speech start tomorrow?
4. What arrangement do they have for tonight?
My daily routine has been terrible lately, so I have made some decisions. Next week, I (1) going to start waking up at 6 AM every day. I know it will be hard, but I (2) drink a large cup of coffee to help me wake up.
Tomorrow is my first day with the new schedule. My alarm is set because my yoga class (3) at 7:00 AM sharp — it is on the official timetable. After that, I (4) meeting my colleague for a quick breakfast to discuss our project. We agreed on this yesterday, so it is already arranged.
Look at the weather forecast — it says it is (5) to rain heavily tomorrow afternoon. Because of that, I think I (6) take the bus to work instead of walking. The bus timetable says the next one (7) at 8:30 AM.
I have a doctor's (8) at 4 PM — it is already booked. I also need to (9) up on some reading I put off last week. I hope my new routine (10) make me feel better. It's a big change, but I am (11) to try my best — and I am going to (12) up every evening by 10 PM!