Present continuous for future arrangements

We often use the present continuous to talk about the future, especially about future plans when we have decided on a time and a place with other people. We normally use a future time expression, e.g. tomorrow, next week, at 7, etc.

• I’m meeting Sally at 7. (=I have talked to her, and we have arranged to meet.)
• I’m flying to New York tomorrow morning. (=I have the ticket.)
• We’re getting married next July. (=We have decided it, and we have probably already made reservations for the restaurant, etc.)

The present continuous for future arrangements is very common with verbs of travelling and when we are meeting people.

• I’m leaving very early tomorrow. I’m taking the 7.30 train. 
• I’m playing golf with Jack next Saturday. Would you like to come?
• I’m seeing the dentist after class. 

Present continuous vs Be going to

We can normally use the present continuous or be going to to talk about future plans.

• I’m leaving very early tomorrow.
• I’m going to leave very early tomorrow.

But we prefer using the present continuous when we have made arrangements (i.e. decided on a place and time with somebody else). When use be going to, we put the emphasis on our intention to do something.

• I’m going to study for the exams tomorrow. (=It’s my intention)
• I’m leaving at 8 tomorrow. (=It’s an arrangement)
• ‘Your car is dirty.’ ‘I know. I’m going to wash it tomorrow.’ (=It’s my intention, but I haven’t arranged to do it)

Should, shouldn’t: Form

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The same form for all persons

The form of should is the same for all persons:

• I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they should see a specialist. 

Should(n’t) + infinitive

Should is a modal verb, and all modal verbs are followed by an infinitive (without to).

• You should to listen to me. 
• You should listen to me. 

Should not= shouldn’t

The negative form of should is should not or shouldn’t.

• You should not be here. = You shouldn’t be here. 

Questions

To ask questions, we use should + subject + infinitive. We don’t use the verb do to ask questions.

• Do we should call him? 
• Should we call him? 

Should, shouldn’t: Use

Giving advice

We use should or shouldn’t to give somebody advice and to say what is or isn’t the right thing to do.

• You look tired. You should have some rest. 
• He shouldn’t drive so fast. He’ll have an accident one day. 

I think you should …

We often say I think … should … to give somebody advice.

• I think you should buy a new pair of shoes for the party. 
• I think we should go home; it’s very late. 

🔍 Note that in a negative sentence, we often say I don’t think… should… (NOT I think… shouldn’t…)

• I think you shouldn’t call her now; she’s very upset. 
• I don’t think you should call her now; she’s very upset. 

We often say Do you think … should … to ask for advice.

• Do you think I should look for another apartment?

Be going to: Grammar chart

Be going to: Form

Be going to consists of the present continuous of the verb go (I’m going, you are going, etc.) + to-infinitive form of the main verb.

When the main verb is go

When the main verb is go, we can exclude it if we want.

• I’m going shopping this afternoon. (=I’m going to go shopping this afternoon.)
• We are going to Cyprus next summer. (=We are going to go to Cyprus next summer. )

Be going to: Use

Predictions

We use be going to to talk about something that we see is going to happen (there is present evidence).

• Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!
• The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.
• Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain. 

Intentions or plans

We use be going to for intentions or plans (decisions taken before the moment of speaking).

• ‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go for a swim.’
• We are going to have a drink after work. Do you want to come?

Future time expressions

We often use be going to with future time expressions (tomorrow, next week, etc.).

• We are going to play cards tonight. 
• She’s going to study biology next year. 

Future Simple

Will is an auxiliary verb. This means that:

• We use will + infinitive: I‘ll be (or will be) at home next Saturday. 
• Will has a negative form: I won’t be (or will not be) at home next Saturday. 
• We put will before the subject in questions: Will you be at home next Saturday?
• We use will in short answers: Yes, I will. / No, I won’t (or No, I will not).

Will: Use

We use will to talk about things that we think will happen in the future.

• He will love your new coat. 
• They won’t win this match. 

🔍 Note that it’s common to use will with the expressions I think, I don’t think, I hope, etc., or also with I’m sure, I’m not sure, perhaps, etc.

• I hope they will arrive soon. 
• I don’t think they‘ll win.
• I’m sure you‘ll be fine. 
• Perhaps I‘ll be late. 

We use will for promises or refusals.

• I will lend her the money.
• I won’t help you. 

We use will when we make decisions at the moment of speaking (instant decisions).

• A: There’s no milk in the fridge. B: I’ll go to the shop to buy some more. 
• A: This box is very heavy. B: Don’t worry. I’ll help you. 

Shall I…? Shall we…?

We use Shall I…? or I’ll when we offer to do things for other people.

• Shall I make some coffee? (=Do you want me to make coffee?)
• I‘ll make some coffee.

We use Shall we…? to suggest doing something.

• Shall we go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)