5.0 Introduction to future forms

There is no future tense in English as there is in many European languages. However, English has several forms that can refer to the future. Three of these are will, going to and Present Continuous.

I'll see you later. (will  form)
We're going to see a film tonight. Do you want to come? (going to form)
I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow morning. (Present Continuous)

The difference between them is not about near or distant future, or about certainty. The speaker chooses a future form depending on how the speaker sees the future event. Is it a plan, a decision, an intention, an offer, a prediction, or an arrangement? This is the important question to ask when choosing a future form. There is more about this in Use below.

5.1 will / going to and the Present Continuous

Form

Positive and negative

I'll help you.
He'll paint the house.
You won't watch TV tonight.
They won't build the tower.

They're going to help you.
You're going to watch TV tonight.
You aren't going to the cinema tomorrow.

I'm not catching the 10 o'clock train.
She isn't catching the 5 o'clock train.
He's seeing  the dentist tomorrow evening.

Question

What time will you arrive?
What time are you going to be there?
What time are you meeting the manager?
 

Note: We avoid saying going to come or going to go.

We're coming tomorrow.
When are you going home?

Use

Plans, decisions, and intentions (will and going to)

will

Will is used as a modal auxiliary verb to express a decision, intention, or offer made at the moment of speaking. We saw this use in Unit 4. Remember that you can't use the Present Tense for this use.

I'll have the steak, please! NOT I have the steak.
I'll see you tomorrow. Bye! NOT I see you tomorrow.

Give me a call sometime. We'll go out for coffee.
'Jeff, there's someone at the door!' 'OK, I'll get it!'

going to

Going to is used to express a future plan, decision, or intention made before the moment of speaking.

When I grow up, I'm going to be a doctor.
Jane and Peter are going to get married after they graduate.
We're going to paint this room blue.

Facts and predictions (will and going to)

will

The most common use of will is an auxiliary verb to show future time. It expresses a future fact or prediction. It's called the pure future or the Future Simple.

We'll be away for two weeks.
These flowers won't grow under the tree. It's too dark.
Our love will last forever.
You'll be sick if you eat all those sweets!

Will for a prediction can be based more on an opinion than a fact.

I don't think Laura will do very well in her exams. She doesn't do any work.
I am convinced that inflation will fall to three percent next year.

going to

Going to can also express a prediction, especially when it's based on a present fact. There's evidence now that something is certain to happen.

She's going to have a baby. (We can see she's pregnant.)
Our team is going to win the match. (It's four-nil, and there are only five minutes left to play.)
It isn't going to rain today. (Look at that beautiful blue sky.)

Note: Sometimes there is no difference between will and going to.

This government will ruin the country with its stupid economic policies.
This government is going to ruin ...

Arrangements (Present Continuous)

The Present Continuous can be used to express a future arrangement between people. It usually refers to the near future.

We're going out with Jeremy tonight.
I'm having my hair cut tomorrow.
What are we having for lunch?

Think of the things you might put in your diary to remind you of what you are doing over the next few days and weeks. These are the kinds of events that are often expressed by the Present Continuous for the future. The verbs express some kind of activity or movement.

I'm meeting Peter tonight.
The Taylors are coming for dinner.
I'm seeing the doctor in the morning.

Remember that you can't use the present tense for this use.

We're going to a party on Saturday night.
NOT We go to party on Saturday night.

We're catching the 10 o'clock train.
NOT We catch the 10 o'clock train.

What are you doing this evening?
NOT What do you do this evening?

Sometimes there is no difference between  an agreed arrangement (Present Continuous) and an intention (going to).

We're going to get married in the spring.
We're getting married in the spring.