Syllabus topic 5: Will / going to / Present Continuous
Will / going to / Present Continuous. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement.
The idea
Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Structure & examples
I am seeing the dentist at ten tomorrow.
We are meeting outside the station tonight.
Notice the pattern
An arrangement generally involves a concrete detail such as a booking, an agreed meeting or a scheduled visit. The verb form is the same as for an action happening now, so a future time expression supplies the future meaning. For an intention without an arrangement, going to is often more natural.
We are taking the train tomorrow.
I am meeting Sam tonight.
Important notes & common mistakes
Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Will / going to / Present Continuous
Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
I've booked a table. We are having dinner with Jo tomorrow.
This box is heavy. I will carry it for you.
Look out! You are going to drop that glass.
The timetable says the train leaves at seven.
She won't be late, I promise.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
We ___ dinner with Jo tomorrow; the table is booked.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are having
Completed sentence: We are having dinner with Jo tomorrow; the table is booked. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
She ___ to Paris on Friday; she has a ticket.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is flying
Completed sentence: She is flying to Paris on Friday; she has a ticket. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
___ you meeting the client tomorrow?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Are
Completed sentence: Are you meeting the client tomorrow? Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
I ___ next Tuesday; my leave is approved.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: am not working
Completed sentence: I am not working next Tuesday; my leave is approved. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Question 1 of 50% complete
I ___ the dentist at ten tomorrow.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am seeing
Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are having
Completed sentence: We are having dinner with Jo tomorrow; the table is booked. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is flying
Completed sentence: She is flying to Paris on Friday; she has a ticket. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Are
Completed sentence: Are you meeting the client tomorrow? Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am not working
Completed sentence: I am not working next Tuesday; my leave is approved. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are meeting
Completed sentence: Use meet in the present continuous: We are meeting at the station at nine tomorrow. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is seeing
Completed sentence: Use see in the present continuous: She is seeing the doctor next week. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am leaving
Completed sentence: Use leave in the present continuous: I am leaving on the six o'clock train tomorrow. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are having
Completed sentence: Use have in the present continuous: They are having lunch with us on Sunday. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is visiting
Completed sentence: Use visit in the present continuous: He is visiting his sister this weekend. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We are meeting outside the station tonight
Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail. Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We are taking the train tomorrow
We are taking the train tomorrow. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail. Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I am meeting Sam tonight
I am meeting Sam tonight. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail. Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Are you joining us on Friday
Are you joining us on Friday? Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail. Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She is moving house next week
She is moving house next week. Use the present continuous for a future arrangement with a known time or other agreed detail. Use a future time expression to make the arrangement clear.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are having
Completed sentence: I've booked a table. We are having dinner with Jo tomorrow. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will
Completed sentence: This box is heavy. I will carry it for you. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: drop
Completed sentence: Look out! You are going to drop that glass. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: leaves
Completed sentence: The timetable says the train leaves at seven. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
Completed sentence: She won't be late, I promise. Will often expresses a spontaneous decision, promise or belief; going to expresses an intention or evidence-based prediction; present continuous describes an arrangement. Timetables use the present simple. More than one future form can be possible with a difference in emphasis.
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