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eTextbook

12-in-1
Tenses Handbook
The most challenging aspect of English grammar
explained in simple terms
13 FUTURE SIMPLE vs. TO BE GOING TO vs.
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE WHEN TALKING
ABOUT FUTURE
You already know that present tenses should be used to describe the
future that is related to the present (for example, a decision, actions
or agreements to be made).

What exactly do we use BE GOING TO for? When we have made a

decision to do something, but haven’t started yet.

TO DESCRIBE OUR AMBITIONS: WHO WE WANT TO BE, WHAT

WE WANT TO ACHIEVE, ETC.
• Jessica is going to be a digital manager after her graduation.

• I’m going to be a billionaire.

TO DESCRIBE PLANNED FUTURE EVENTS.

• Lucie is going to move to Paris. She is looking for an

apartment there.

• Jared is going to enter Stanford. He has already applied for

some programs.

TO DESCRIBE PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE BASED ON

FACTS.
• Look, it’s going to rain!

• My sister is going to have a baby in 2 months.

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 WILL BE GOING TO

Neutral meaning, future facts Plans, intentions, decisions

Decisions and plans made before

Spontaneous decisions
speaking

Detailed description of plans and

Plans and intentions
intentions

Predictions about the future based on Predictions about the future

assumptions based on facts

WHEN DO WE USE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TO DESCRIBE

FUTURE EVENTS?

WHEN WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE TAKING

PLACE IN THE FUTURE, WHEN WE HAVE ALREADY MADE SOME
STEPS TOWARDS THAT. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT FIXED FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS.

• Sarah is visiting us tomorrow.

(We planned this).

• I’m flying to NYC in a couple of days.

(For example, I’ve already bought the ticket).

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 WHEN DO WE USE PRESENT SIMPLE TO DESCRIBE FUTURE
EVENTS?

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SCHEDULED EVENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

• My plane for LA leaves at 5 pm.

• The new semester starts on September 12.

• Our meeting is at 10 am tomorrow.

FUN FACT: Present Progressive and be going to are often used in

spoken language, while WILL is typically used in written language.
When we talk about someone’s future decisions, we will also use WILL.
The President will hold an international meeting tomorrow.

Let’s compare the following three options:

We’ll have a big party for Tom’s birthday next month. We don’t know
where we want to celebrate but we’ll think about it later.
(Nothing’s certain yet, we are just planning).

We’re going to have a party for Tom’s birthday. He is turning 25 next

week and we want to invite his friends and colleagues.
(We are going to celebrate, the decision has been made).

We’re having a party tomorrow. Tom is turning 25 and we’ve invited

all his friends and colleagues. (The likelihood of us celebrating his
birthday is 99%; the decision has been made, people have been
invited).

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FUN FACT: One of the best verbs in English is TO BE, because it has so
many functions! How about using TO BE to express the future?

Use “subject + to be + to verb” structure to express approved future

events. The authorities are to present their new healthcare plan
tomorrow. The President is to visit Hong Kong next month. It’s
typically used in the official language to describe formal events.
However, it’s also used to give orders and instructions. You’re to
hand in your essay till tomorrow.

Use “subject + to be about to + verb” structure to describe events

that will happen very soon. Turn on the TV, the new episode is about
to start.

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6
13 FUTURE SIMPLE vs. TO BE GOING TO
vs. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE WHEN
TALKING ABOUT FUTURE
Well, it seems there are lots of ways to describe future situations! It
might be difficult to figure out which one to choose. In fact, it’s not.
Every tense is there for a reason: to describe plans or spontaneous
decisions, to talk about solid plans such as going on vacation (for
example, next week I will definitely be lying in a hammock sipping on
my pina colada). Check out the textbook for the details.

Exercise 1. What are these people and animals going to

do? Make sentences using “be going to.” Use the words
in parentheses or make up your own sentences.

Make 4 negative sentences and convert 4 more into questions. Or, if

you are up for a challenge, create all forms for all sentences!

(she, swim, lake) (cat, sleep, all day) (friends, drink, beer)

(it, rain) (they, play, video games) (my dog, I, play, ball)

(girl, take, photo) (I, do, grocery shopping) (man, sing, song)

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Exercise 2. Read the letter below and choose the
correct option.
Hi Lenny,

You won’t believe what I’m going to / will tell you! I have finally
bought a car, and now I’m thinking about going on a little trip around
Europe. Are you going / will you go with me? I’d really want us to just
roam around like good ol’ buddies, this will be / is going to be amazing!
I am picking up / will pick up the car from the dealership next Monday,
you don’t have to worry about any preparations, I will make / am
making sure everything is in order! Are you having / are you going to
have any urgent meetings or tasks at work in the upcoming days? If
not, make sure to take a vacation and join me! Anyways, I think I will
call / am calling you later as well. See you soon!

Exercise 3. Rewrite the sentences using Future Simple,

be going to or Present Progressive depending on the
context.

1. My plan is to enter a university next year. But first I need to pass

finals.
2. Don’t worry, I can help you with the chores! Leave it to me.
3. I just decided not to participate in the race because of my
healing injury.
4. He doesn’t plan on being an office worker forever.
5. They plan to make a huge cake for grandma’s birthday.
6. Do you want to go dancing with me?
7. We plan not to break the rules and play fair.
8. Monday — dentist at 9 A.M. That’s written in my planner.
9. I don't intend to travel abroad this year.
10. Thank you for the invitation to the party. You can count on me to
come.

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13 FUTURE SIMPLE vs. TO BE GOING TO
vs. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE WHEN
TALKING ABOUT FUTURE
Exercise 1.
Here are our sentences.

1. She is going to swim in the lake.

She isn’t going to swim in the lake.
Is she going to swim in the lake?

2. The cat is going to sleep all day.

The cat isn’t going to sleep all day.
Is the cat going to sleep all day?

3. The friends are going to drink beer.

The friends aren’t going to drink beer.
Are the friends going to drink beer?

4. It is going to rain.
It isn’t going to rain.
Is it going to rain?

5. They are going to play video games.

They aren’t going to play video games.
Are they going to play video games?

6. My dog and I are going to play with the ball.

My dog and I aren’t going to play with the ball.
Are my dog and I going to play with the ball?

7. The girl is going to take a photo.

The girl isn’t going to take a photo.
Is the girl going to take a photo?

8. I am going to do grocery shopping.

I’m not going to do grocery shopping.
Am I going to do grocery shopping?

9. The man is going to sing a song.

The man isn’t going to sing a song.
Is the man going to sing a song?
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Exercise 2.
Hi Lenny,

You won’t believe what I’m going to tell you! I have finally
bought a car, and now I’m thinking about going on a little trip around
Europe. Will you go with me? I’d really want us to just roam around
like good ol’ buddies, this will be / is going to be amazing! I am
picking up the car from the dealership next Monday, you don’t have
to worry about any preparations, I will make sure everything is in
order! Are you having any urgent meetings or tasks at work in the
upcoming days? If not, make sure to take a vacation and join me!
Anyways, I think I will call you later as well. See you soon!

Exercise 3.
1. I’m going to enter a university next year. But first I need to pass
finals.
2. I will help you with the chores! Leave it to me.
3. I won’t participate in the race because of my healing injury.
4. He’s not going to be an office worker forever.
5. They are making / are going to make a huge cake for grandma’s
birthday.
6. Will you go dancing with me?
7. We’re not going to break the rules and play fair.
8. I’m seeing the dentist at 9 A. M. on Monday. That’s written in my
planner.
9. I’m not going to travel abroad this year.
10. Thank you for the invitation to the party. I will come.

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 Did you like the tasks?
Do you want to continue studying with
us in the same format? Then check out
our "12-in-1 Tenses Handbook"!
There you will find detailed information
about all English tenses, their clear
explanations, charts and tables. And
the workbook will help you to practice
the material.

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