Future Plans

FUTURE PLANS
Do you know how to talk about future plans using will, going to and the present
continuous?
Look at these examples to see how will, going to and the present continuous are
used.
Oh great! That meeting after work's been cancelled. I'll go to that yoga class
instead.
I'm going to visit my relatives in Australia this year.
The restaurant is reserved for 8. We're having a drink at Beale's first.
Grammar explanation
We use different verb forms to talk about our plans for the future, depending on
what kind of plan it is: a spontaneous plan, a pre-decided plan or an arrangement.
will
We use will to talk about spontaneous plans decided at the moment of speaking.
Oops, I forgot to phone Mum! I'll do it after dinner.
I can't decide what to wear tonight. I know! I'll wear my green shirt.
There's no milk. I'll buy some when I go to the shops.
going to
We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking.
I'm going to phone Mum after dinner. I told her I'd call at 8 o'clock.
I'm going to wear my black dress tonight.
I'm going to buy some meat in the supermarket after work. What do we need?
Present Continuous
We usually use the present continuous when the plan is an arrangement –
already confirmed with at least one other person and we know the time and place.
I'm meeting Jane at 8 o'clock on Saturday.
We're having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?
We often use the present continuous to ask about people's future plans.
Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?
1. I can’t come to the class next Monday. I’ll have /I’m having tooth taken
out.
2. Waitress : What would you like to drink?
Customer : I’ll have/ I’m going to have an orange juice, please
3. What are you going to do/ What are you doing when you finish university?
4. What will you do/ What are you going to do this weekend?
5. A. Shall we cook or go out to eat tonight?
B. Let’s get takeaway. I’ll look for/ I’m looking for the number of pizza
place.
6. I’m tired of the way the garage always charges me so much for repairs.
Next time, I’m going to look for/ I’m looking for somewhere cheaper.
7.When I get my pay rise, I’ll get / I’m going to get a bigger flat.
8. I’ll get a car/ I’m getting a car. They are accepted my offer today.
9. It’s really hot here. I’ll open /I’m opening a window.
10. He has told his bank to close his account. He’ll open/ He is going to open
an account with a more ethical bank.
11. She ‘ll speak/ She’s speaking at a conference on Saturday.
12. They’ve decided that they’ll speak / they are going to speak to their boss
about the situation.
13. We would love to go out with you tomorrow but we’ll have / we are
having dinner with James.
14. A. Tea or coffee? B. I’ll have / I’m going to have coffee, please.
15. She wants to do more with her free time. She knows! She thinks
she ‘ll start/she ‘s starting taking Mandarin lesson.
16. They have paid for the course and they’ll start / they’re starting lessons
next week.
Here are some useful phrases to talk about your future plans.
One of the most common structures used for talking about your plans is
the present continuous tense. When we say that something is happening or is
going to happen in the future, it is usually already planned or decided.
Examples:
 ‘What are you doing this evening?’ ‘I’m washing my car.’
 ‘Are you doing anything this weekend?’ ‘Yes, I’m thinking of visiting my grandparents.’
 ‘Are you going to Venice again for summer?’ ‘No, this summer we are going to Switzerland.’
 ‘When are you going to get a job?’ ‘I’m hoping to get one soon.’
 ‘Who’s cooking lunch?’
 ‘What are we having for lunch?’
 ‘When are you going to get that car repaired?’
Other common structures used for asking about plans are:

 ‘What are your plans for summer?’ ‘I would like to go to Brazil, but it is too far.’
 ‘Have you decided where you are going on holiday? ‘I can’t choose between Italy and France.’
 ‘What are you up to next Sunday?’ ‘I’m planning to do some shopping.’
When your plans aren’t yet certain
 ‘If I get my raise, I will buy a new car.’

 ‘It looks like we are going to Italy again.’
 ‘I’m not exactly sure, but we might be going to Turkey.’
 ‘If we get our visa in time, we will be going to Mexico.’
When your plans are all arranged

When your plans are all arranged, you can use the present perfect tense to announce your plans.
The present continuous tense is also possible.
 We’ve decided to go to Mexico again.
 We’ve decided to get the roof repaired at Easter. OR We’re getting the roof repaired at Easter.
 I’m seeing Susie on Monday.
 We have booked a camping holiday in Algeria.

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FUTURE PLANS

9. It’s really hot here. I’ll open /I’m opening a window.

an account with a more ethical bank.

11. She ‘ll speak/ She’s speaking at a conference on Saturday.

about the situation.

she ‘ll start/she ‘s starting taking Mandarin lesson.

Other common structures used for asking about plans are:

When your plans aren’t yet certain

 ‘If I get my raise, I will buy a new car.’

When your plans are all arranged

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