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Will

1. The present simple (will) is used to for general intentions.

I think I will go on holiday in July.

We won't travel by plane, I suppose.

2. It is used predictions or opinions.

Sarah will probably study biology.

I'm afraid you mum will not like it.

3. We use it to express our decision or offer made at the moment of speaking.

These shoes are comfortable. I'll take them.

I've missed the bus. - Never mind. I'll drive you there.

Going to

1. It is used to speak about decisions made before the moment of speaking.

We need the money because we are going to reconstruct our house.

2. We also use it to express our opinion that something is certain to happen. There is some evidence
for our prediction.

The planes are going to land.

(They are coming closer and closer to the airport.)

Present continuous

With a time expression referring to future (tomorrow, next month) we use the present continuous to
talk about personal future arrangements.

I'm seeing the dentist at 10 o'clock tomorrow.


Jack is coming back from Leeds tonight.

Compare:

In some situations we can use will, going to or present continuous with little difference in meaning.

We'll travel to France in May.

We're going to travel to France in May.

We're travelling to France in May.

We're travelling is more definite than We're going to travel and We'll travel is the least definite.

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