PRESENT CONTINUOUS vs BE GOING TO FOR FUTURE TENSES

 

1. I think my sister (is going to have / is having) a baby. (Prediction based on evidence/feeling, not an arrangement with the baby.)

2. My train to Paris (is going to leave / is leaving) at 7:00 AM tomorrow. (Fixed schedule/arrangement.)

3. The windows are dirty. I (am going to wash / am washing) them after lunch. (Intention/decision made.)

4. We (are going to see / are seeing) a concert on Friday. I already bought the tickets. (Fixed arrangement.)

The core concept is:

• 'Be going to' is for Intentions (a plan/decision you have made).

• Present Continuous is for Arrangements (a fixed plan, often involving other people, a time, or a place).

Activity: Intention vs. Arrangement

• • Intention: I'm going to clean my room this weekend. (Just a plan in your head.)

  • Arrangement: I am meeting the plumber at 10:00 AM on Friday. (Fixed time/person, a definite step taken.)

• Key Concept Analogy:

• Intention (Be Going To): It's a wish list or a personal resolution.

• Arrangement (Present Continuous): It's a signed contract or a date in your diary.

  Future Action	Intention (Be Going To)	Action Step (makes it an arrangement)	Arrangement (Present Continuous)
  Travel	I'm going to visit Spain next year.	Bought the ticket, booked the hotel.	I am flying to Madrid on July 10th.
  Meet	I'm going to talk to my boss about a raise.	Sent the meeting request, they accepted.	I am having a meeting with my boss tomorrow at 2 PM.
  Party	We're going to have a party next Saturday.	Sent out the invitations.	We are having a party next Saturday!