FUTURE PLANS

WARMING UP-

Grammar explanation

We use different verb forms to talk about our plans for the future, depending on what kind of plan it is: a spontaneous plan, a pre-decided plan or an arrangement. 

Will (AKAN)

We use will to talk about spontaneous plans decided at the moment of speaking.

Oops, I forgot to phone Mum! I'll do it after dinner. 

I can't decide what to wear tonight. I know! I'll wear my green shirt.

There's no milk. I'll buy some when I go to the shops.

Going to

We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking.

I'm going to phone Mum after dinner. I told her I'd call at 8 o'clock.

I'm going to wear my black dress tonight. 

I'm going to go to the supermarket after work. What do we need? 

Source: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/future-plans

EXAMPLE OF DIALOGUE

Percakapan 1

Nina: What are you going to do this Saturday? 

Susan: I’m going to go to the amusement park with my boyfriend. What about you? 

Nina: This Saturday I’m going to go to my grandmother’s house with my sister. 

Percakapan 2

Karen: Do you have any plan for tomorrow? 

Greg: I’m swimming with my son tomorrow. How about you? Do you have any plan? 

Karen: That sounds fun. I am going to the cinema with John and Amy. 

Greg: That sounds fun too. Please give them my regards. 

Karen: I will.

Percakapan 3

Andy: Hi, Mark. What are you doing tonight? 

Mark: Hello, Andy. I’m finishing English essay tonight because tomorrow I have to submit it.

Andy: That’s too bad. My cousins and I are playing football tonight. I thought you could come joining us. (Sayang sekali. Sepupuku dan aku akan bermain sepak bola malam ini. Aku kira kamu bisa bermain bersama kami)

Mark: I’m sorry, Andy. I really have to finish the essay or Mrs. Evans will fail me. 

Andy: I know. Well, good luck! 

Mark: Thanks. 

Percakapan 4

Anto: What are you going to do after graduate? 

Desi: Actually, I haven’t thought about that yet, but I think I’m going to try finding a job because I really need money. What are you going to do? 

Anto: I’m going to continue studying for a master’s degree. At the same time, I’m also planning to find a part-time job.

Desi: That’s cool! What major are you going to take? (Keren! Jurusan apa yang akan kamu ambil?)

Anto: I’m going to take business administration major. I even already enrolled for the entrance test.

Desi: Wow, you are so fast! When will the test be held? 

Anto: It will be held next month, but I don’t remember the exact date. 

Desi: No wonder you’ve been studying very hard lately even though we’re going to have graduation ceremony this Friday.

Anto:  Yup, I have no choice but to study for the test. (Ya, aku tidak punya pilihan lain selain belajar untuk tesnya)

Desi: I know. I hope you will pass the test. 

Anto: Thanks, Desi. I also hope you will get a job as soon as you graduate. 

Prilly: Dewi, what are you going to do this weekend? 

Dewi: I don’t know. I guess I’m just going to watch some movies, reading books, or cleaning the house. What about you? 

Prilly: I was thinking maybe it would be fun to go to the beach this weekend. 

Prilly: Would you like to come along? 

Dewi: Sure, why not? Besides, I don’t have any good plan for this weekend. (

Prilly: Great! 

Dewi: So, when will we be leaving?

Prilly: How about on Saturday around 6 am?

Dewi: I think that’s too early. How about around 8 am? 

Prilly: All right, 8 am is it. By the way, I also asked Ayu and Lily to come along with us.

Dewi: Perfect! The more the merrier, you know. 

Prilly: That’s right! 

Dewi: Well, see you on Saturday, Prilly. Thank you for inviting me to go with you.

Prilly: No problem. See you. 

A very confusing concept is when to use WILL and when to use BE GOING TO when we refer the future.

Both refer to the future and there is a slight difference between the two though in most cases they can be used interchangeably with no difference in meaning. Even if you misuse them, a native speaker is going to understand you without any problems.

Source: https://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Future_Will_vs_Going.htm

When to use GOING TO

The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of connection to the present. We use it in the following situations:

1. When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)

The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.

• They're going to retire to the beach - in fact they have already bought a little beach house.

• I'm going to accept the job offer.

2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)

Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.

• I think it is going to rain - I just felt a drop.

• I don't feel well. I think I'm going to throw up. (throw up = vomit)

3. When something is about to happen:

• Get back! The bomb is going to explode.

When to use WILL

In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use WILL:

1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)

This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.

• I'll buy one for you too.

• I think I'll try one of those. (I just decided this right now)

2. When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)

• My team will not win the league this season.

• I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.

Note: You can use both Will and Going to for making future predictions.

3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.

• I'll give you a discount if you buy it right now.

• I promise I will behave next time.

• I'll take you to the movies if you'd like.

4. You use WON'T when someone refuses to do something.

• I told him to take out the trash but he won't do it.

• My kids won't listen to anything I say.

• My car won't start.

Future Predictions

As you can see, both Will and Going to can be used for making future predictions without having a real difference in meaning.

• The weather report says it will rain tomorrow. (Correct)

• The weather report says it is going to rain tomorrow. (Correct)

Compare Will vs. Going To

If someone asks: "Are you busy this evening?"

If I respond: "Yes, I'm going to go to the movies." I use going to because it is a plan I made earlier (before I was asked the question). - In this case we cannot use Will.

If I haven't made plans, then you can say either: "I will probably watch TV." OR "I'm probably going to watch TV."

Both will and going to are possible in this situation because we are predicting what will happen (since we haven't made any plans).

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