Lesson 28 drill — will vs be going to vs Present Continuous
Three forms, three uses — natives switch between them in the same conversation. (1) WILL + infinitive — decisions made AT THE MOMENT of speaking ('The phone's ringing — I'll get it'), predictions based on opinion ('I think she'll win'), promises/offers ('I'll help you'). (2) BE GOING TO + infinitive — intentions decided BEFORE speaking ('I'm going to start the gym in January' — you've thought about it), predictions based on EVIDENCE you can see ('Look at those clouds — it's going to rain'). (3) PRESENT CONTINUOUS — fixed arrangements with a time/place AND another person ('I'm meeting Sarah at 7 tomorrow' — diary entry, both people know). The classic test: if there's a confirmed time AND someone else involved, use Present Continuous. If it's just your intention with no fixed plan yet, use 'be going to'. If you decided this second, use 'will'.
'The doorbell's ringing.' Most natural reply:
'I ___ Tom at the station at 6. We arranged it last week.' Best form:
'Look at those black clouds — it ___ rain.' Best form:
'I've decided. I ___ quit my job in March.' Best form:
Which signals a FIXED arrangement with another person?
Hold on — I ____ grab a pen.
I ____ meet Sarah at seven tomorrow. (fixed arrangement)
Look at those clouds — it ____ rain.
I'm ____ of moving to Lisbon — nothing booked yet.
Let's ____ Thursday in — I'll confirm Monday.