8B expressing future plans and arrangements
present and future forms
1 The present continuous is the most common way to talk about personal
arrangements, e.g., fixed plans for the future, when the time and place have
been decided.
I’m seeing Sarah tomorrow. We’re having lunch together.
2 be going to is the most common way to express future plans and intentions,
and to imply that a decision has been made.
I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
She’s going to get the last train home.
8B expressing future plans and arrangements
present and future forms
3 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.
I’m meeting Cathy this evening. I’m going to tell her that it’s all over.
8B expressing future plans and arrangements
present and future forms
4 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. 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.)
I’ll be going to the supermarket later – do you want anything?
• It is often used to make polite enquiries about arrangements, e.g.,
Will you be meeting us at the airport?
Will we be having dinner at the usual time? I’m going to see a movie
and it starts at 8:00.
8B expressing future plans and arrangements
present and future forms
5 We can also use the simple present to talk about future events
which are scheduled or part of a regular routine.
The train leaves in five minutes.
Our classes start next Tuesday.
8B expressing future plans and arrangements
other ways of expressing future arrangements
1 be due to + infinitive can be used to say that something is arranged or expected.
My sister is due to arrive at 7:30. Can you meet her at the station?
• We also use due on its own to mean “expected,” e.g.,
The next train is due in five minutes.
2 We use be about to + infinitive to say that something is going to happen very soon.
My sister is about to have a baby, so I need to keep my cell phone turned on.
• 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.
3 We can use be + to + infinitive in a formal style to talk about
official plans and arrangements.
It has been announced that the President is to visit Brazil next month.
