Future forms – will, be going to, present continuous

Exercises

Explanation

1. Will – for spontaneous decisions, promises, and predictions based on opinion

We use will when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking, when we make a promise, or when we give a prediction based on what we think or believe, not on evidence.

Structure:

👉 will + base verb

Examples:

• “My phone battery is dying — I will borrow a charger from Emma.” (decision made now)

• “I will send you the report this afternoon.” (promise)

• “I think the team will win the match.” (prediction based on opinion)

• “Don’t worry, I won’t forget your birthday again.” (promise)

Common time markers:

tomorrow, next week, later, soon, in a few days

2. Be going to – for intentions and predictions based on evidence

We use be going to to talk about actions we have already decided to do before the moment of speaking. It also expresses predictions that are based on something we can see or know in the present.

Structure:

am / is / are + going to + base verb

Examples:

• “I’m going to start online English lessons this year.” (intention already planned)

• “They’re going to decorate their apartment soon.” (planned action)

• “Those trees are shaking a lot — a storm is going to hit the area.” (prediction with evidence)

• “Watch out! You’re going to spill your drink.” (evidence in the moment)

Common time markers:

tonight, next weekend, this afternoon, soon, in the morning

Note:

gonna is an informal spoken contraction of going to
“I’m gonna call you later.”
(Use only in informal speech, not in writing.)

3. Present Continuous – for fixed arrangements and confirmed plans

We use the present continuous to talk about definite future arrangements, often with a specific time or place already organized. It usually sounds more certain than going to, because it suggests that details are already fixed.

Structure:

am / is / are + verb-ing

Examples:

• “We’re having a team meeting at 9 a.m. tomorrow.” (confirmed arrangement)

• “I’m traveling to Vienna next Wednesday.” (a fixed plan)

• “She’s meeting the new manager this afternoon.” (a scheduled event)

Common time markers:

tomorrow, next week, on Friday, tonight

Quick Comparison

Practice Tip

To sound natural in English, choose the form that best matches the situation:

• Decision now: “I think I’ll take a taxi.”

• Plan already made: “I’m going to clean the garage tomorrow.”

• Confirmed arrangement: “We’re visiting our grandparents on Sunday.”

Each future form adds a different shade of meaning. With practice, switching between them becomes easy and intuitive.