Expressing Future Plans in English: Present Continuous, Going To, Will, May/Might, and Present Simple

Expressing Future Plans in English

Present Continuous and Going To

We use these tenses to talk about future plans.

Example:

ARE YOU HAVING lunch with your uncle tomorrow?
I'M GOING TO HAVE lunch with my uncle tomorrow.

We use the present continuous when we talk about things we have already decided to do, especially when we modify the plan to include other people.

We use going to when we talk about plans or things that we will definitely do, but the decision is not yet firm.

Will

We use will for decisions we make at the moment of speaking. These are usually offers of help or promises.

Example:
You're going to the supermarket? I'll give you a lift (won't).
We often use will with expressions like I think and I expect.

May / Might

We use may and might for plans and intentions that are not yet firm decisions.

Example:

She may ask Malu. (It's possible that she will ask.)
I might stay in tonight. It depends what's on TV. (It's possible that I will stay in.)

Present Simple

We use the present simple for future events that are part of a schedule or timetable.

Example:

The restaurant opens at five o'clock.

We also use the present simple with expressions like when, until, after, and unless to talk about the future.

Example:

When you speak to Hanif tomorrow, will you say hi from me?