plans – Fly High English

Posted on by Gareth

Structure: ‘Present continuous’

Using the present continuous

Form: subject + ‘be’ (in the present) + verb-ing (You are reading… He is living etc…)

Use: To talk about something in progress now, around now or something temporary.

eg You’re (you are) reading English (now). (something in progress now)

eg I’m reading a good book about the history of aviation. (perhaps not at this moment but around now)

eg He’s living close to the airport. (suggests a temporary action)

Advanced Use: We can use the present continuous to talk about organised future plans.

eg I’m flying on Sunday. (organised future plan – it’s organised by the airline)

eg I’m eating in that new restaurant tomorrow night. (you have a reservation so it’s organised)

Tip: For future plans we can also use ‘will‘ and ‘going to‘ so be sure you know the difference between these thee ways to talk about future plans.

Check the diagram below for its form and two situations when we need to use it.

Diagram of the form and use of the present continuous. — The form and use of the present continuous.

Posted on by Gareth

Structure: ‘going to’ for future

Form: be + going to + infinitive verb.

It’s necessary to conjugate the verb ‘be’ in the present simple form (I am, you are etc…) and then use ‘going to + infinitive verb. The infinitive verb should be your main verb in this form.

Use 1: talk about future plans which you thought about before you speak.

eg 1: I’m going to meet a friend tomorrow.

Use 2: to talk about future predictions when you’re sure about the prediction.

eg 2: The company is going to hire some new pilots next year.

Take a look at the diagram below for more information, then practice some sentences yourself. It’s also useful to go back and check out using the future simple (will + infinitive verb) and try to clarify the differences for yourself.

Posted on by Gareth

Structure: ‘Future simple’

Using ‘will’

The future simple / will is one of the most common tenses used in English so it’s one of the most important. There are two primary used for the future simple / will.

to talk about future plans when you think and speak at the same time and you’re (obviously) not sure about your plans. We often use ‘I think’ before this form to emphasise that you’re not sure.
- I think I’ll (I will) relax at the weekend.
to talk about future predictions when you’re not sure about the prediction. We can also use ‘I think’ before this form to emphasise that you’re not sure.
- I think that the company will cancel many flights due to the bad weather.

Tip: Don’t confuse ‘will’ and ‘going to’ to talk about the future. They are both used to talk about future plans and future predictions but with different ideas. Click here to read about using ‘going to’ for future plans and predictions and to compare it with using ‘will’.

Check out the diagram below for a summary and try to make some sentences of your own.

Tag: plans

Structure: ‘Present continuous’

Using the present continuous

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Structure: ‘going to’ for future

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Structure: ‘Future simple’

Using ‘will’

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Using the present continuous

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Using ‘will’

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