5. Be Going To, Present Progressive and Future Progressive

1) Future Plans: be going to vs present progressive

plans & arrangements

Be going to = intentions and general plans (often not fully arranged).

Form: am/is/are + going to + base verb

I am going to buy a new laptop soon. (plan / intention)

They aren’t going to join the meeting. (negative plan)

Present Progressive for the future = definite plans and arrangements (time/place is often clear).

Form: am/is/are + V-ing

I am meeting my friend tomorrow at 6. (arranged)

We are flying on Friday. (tickets / plan is fixed)

Note: Sometimes both are possible. Progressive sounds more “scheduled/arranged.”

Practice A — Plans: write the correct verb phrase

1 I smartglasses one of these days. (be going to/buy)

2 My parents probably one. (not/be going to/buy)

3 Next week, I a friend near the university. (be going to/visit)

4 Our class a trip to the science museum on Saturday. (be going to/take)

5 Tonight, Kyle some friends for dinner. (be going to/meet)

6 I’m tired, so I straight home after class. (go)

2) Simple Present for scheduled events

timetables & schedules

Use Simple Present for schedules and timetables (things that are “on the calendar”).

Common verbs: start, begin, end, open, close, arrive, leave

The webinar starts at 7:00 p.m.

The last train leaves at 11:15.

Tip: Don’t use will for fixed schedules most of the time: ✅ “The train leaves at 6:10.”

Practice B — Scheduled future: use Simple Present

7 The conference on Monday morning. (begin)

8 The classes at 6:30 p.m. (end)

9 What time ? (lecture/start)

10 The library at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. (open)

11 Trains to the airport from platform 3. (leave)

3) Will vs be going to for predictions

opinions vs evidence

Will is common for predictions, expectations, guesses, and opinions.

Be going to is common when there is present evidence (you can see/feel it now).

Opinion: I think technology will change fast.

Evidence: Look at the clouds — it is going to rain.

Adverbs: probably, definitely, certainly often go after will or after be: “It will probably…” / “It is definitely going to…”

Practice C — Predictions: write the correct verb phrase

12 Look at those clouds! It soon. (rain)

13 I think technology more sophisticated in the future. (be)

14 My laptop is freezing — I think it . (crash)

15 Soon, people to the Internet from almost anywhere. (connect)

16 Maybe I a smartwatch this year. (get)

17 Doctors are definitely ingestibles in the future. (use)

4) Will for requests, offers, and promises

will you…? / I’ll…

Request: Will you + base verb…? / Will someone + base verb…?
Offer / promise: I’ll + base verb…

Request: Will you help me?

Offer: I’ll check it for you.

Promise: I’ll call you tonight.

Practice D — Requests / offers / promises

18 Will you me choose a laptop? (help)

19 Will someone please the window? (close)

20 Will everyone please quiet? (be)

21 I the best options for you. (research)

22 Don’t worry — I you with your computer. (help)

5) Will for quick decisions

decision now vs decided earlier

Will is common for a decision made at the moment of speaking.

Be going to is common for a decision made earlier (a prior plan).

“We need someone to take notes.” — “I’ll do it.” (quick decision)

“I’ve decided.” — “I’m going to buy a new phone.” (prior decision)

Practice E — Quick decision or prior plan?

23 We need a volunteer. “I it.” (do)

24 Bob decided yesterday. He it tomorrow. (do)

25 I’ve decided already — I a new phone next week. (buy)

6) Future Progressive

will be + V-ing

Form: will be + V-ing

Use it to talk about an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

Often with time phrases: at 8 p.m. tomorrow, this time next week, in 10 years
Questions: Will + subject + be + V-ing?

At 9 p.m., I will be studying.

Will you be working tomorrow at noon?

Practice F — Use Future Progressive

26 In 10 years, doctors many diseases with technology. (treat)

27 This time tomorrow, I on my project. (work)

28 At 8 p.m. tonight, we the lecture online. (watch)

29 Don’t call at 7 — I dinner. (have)

30 By 2030, people wearable tech everywhere. (use)

31 Will you tomorrow at noon? (work)

7) Avoid Common Mistakes

quick fixes

Use Future Progressive for “in progress” at a future time: will be + V-ing.
Use Simple Present for scheduled events (timetables).
Remember be with going to: I am going to…
Use Present Progressive (not will) for definite arrangements.

Practice G — Fix the sentence (type only the correct form)

32 Correct: I won’t see you next week because I in Seoul. (work)

33 Correct the schedule: The video conference at 4:00 p.m. (start)

34 Correct the plan: We to the home office at the end of the month. (travel)

35 Correct: I a presentation on the 25th. (give)

Show all answers

am going to buy
aren’t going to buy
am visiting
is taking
is meeting
am going
begins
end
does the lecture start
opens
leave
is going to rain
will be
is going to crash
will connect
will get
going to use
help
close
be
will research
will help
will do
is going to do
am going to buy
will be treating
will be working
will be watching
will be having
will be using
be working
will be working
starts
are traveling
am going to give

5. Be Going To, Present Progressive and Future Progressive

Be Going To • Present Progressive • Future Progressive — Grammar + Exercises

1) Future Plans: be going to vs present progressive

Practice A — Plans: write the correct verb phrase

2) Simple Present for scheduled events

Practice B — Scheduled future: use Simple Present

3) Will vs be going to for predictions

Practice C — Predictions: write the correct verb phrase

4) Will for requests, offers, and promises

Practice D — Requests / offers / promises

5) Will for quick decisions

Practice E — Quick decision or prior plan?

6) Future Progressive

Practice F — Use Future Progressive

7) Avoid Common Mistakes

Practice G — Fix the sentence (type only the correct form)