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Let's see now how to express future plans and
arrangements... |
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PRESENT AND FUTURE |
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The present continuous is the most common way to talk
about arrangements, i.e. fixed plans for the future, when the time and
place have been decided. |
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1. |
I'm
seeing Sarah tomorrow. |
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2. |
We're
having lunch together. |
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Be going to is the most common way to express
future plans and intentions, and to imply that a decision has been made. |
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3. |
I'm going to
have my hair cut tomorrow.
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4. |
She's
going to get the last train home. |
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In most cases you can use either going to or
the present continuous, but there is a subtle change of emphasis. The
present continuous emphasizes that a time and place to do something has
been decided; going to emphasizes the intention.
Now compare:
I'm meeting Cathy. (= We've arranged to meet.)
I'm going to meet Cathy. (= It's my intention, but arrangements
may or may not have been made.)
We do not use the present continuous when it is clear that something is
just an intention, not something that has been arranged NOT
I'm telling her that it's all over
. |
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5. |
I'm
meeting Cathy this evening. |
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6. |
I'm
going to tell her that it's all over. |
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The future continuous can often be used instead of
the present continuous to refer to future arrangements.
We sometimes use it to emphasize that we are talking about something
that will happen anyway rather than something we have arranged.
Now compare:
I'm seeing Sarah tomorrow. (= I have arranged it.)
I'll be seeing Sarah at the party tomorrow. (= It will happen
anyway, but I didn't arrange it.)
It is often used to make polite enquiries about arrangements, e.g.
Will you be meeting us at the airport? |
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7. |
I'll
be going to the supermarket later. Do you want
anything? |
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8. |
Will we be
having dinner at the usual time? |
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9. |
I'm
going to see a film and it starts at 8.00. |
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We can also use the present simple to talk about
future events which are part of a timetable or a regular schedule. |
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10. |
The train
leaves in
five minutes. |
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11. |
Our classes
start
next Tuesday |
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FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS |
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Be due to + infinitive can be used to say that
something is arranged or expected. We also use due on its own to
mean 'expected', e.g. The next train is due in five minutes. |
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1. |
My sister
is due to
arrive at 7.30. Can you meet her at the station? |
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We use be about to + infinitive to say that
something is going to happen very soon. We can also use be on the
point of + gerund with a similar meaning, but this is slightly more
formal and implies something is more imminent. |
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2. |
My sister
is about to
have a baby, so I need to keep my mobile switched on. |
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3. |
It is believed that the chancellor
is on the point
of resigning. |
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We can use be + to + infinitive in a formal
style to talk about official plans and arrangements. |
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4. |
It was announced that the Pope
is to visit
Argentina next month. |
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On the next page you will be able to practise
this grammar. |
