Different Futures
Future Forms Compared
The main difference between the future with 'will', and the future with 'going to' is that the future with 'will' is used for decisions made at the moment of speaking. In other words, use 'will' to express your reaction to a situation.
Don't worry. I'll order shipping boxes from Mailbox Inc.
Don't worry. I'll lock the sales register.
Profits are down. I'll close the housekeeping department.
The future with 'going to', on the other hand, is used to make a statement about something you have decided before the moment of speaking.
Sheila isn't going to get comfortable accommodations at the conference in Chicago.
Tom is going to open his own full service hotel in Nebraska next year.
We are going to expand the range of benefits available to our employees next week.
Scheduled Events in the Future
Use the present continuous to express scheduled or planned events in the near future.
Example:
When are you driving to the ten quick-stop markets in your franchise?
We're discussing what to do when full occupancy occurs at tonight's meeting.
Harold isn't setting up the picnic tables at noon.
The customers are lining up for tickets at seven.
Positive Form:
Subject + to be + verb + -ing + (object(s))
We're discussing what to do when full occupancy occurs at tonight's meeting.
Negative Form:
Subject + to be + not + verb+ ing + (object(s))
Harold isn't setting up the picnic tables at noon.
Question Form:
(Question Word) + to be + subject + verb + ing?
When are you driving to the ten quick-stop markets in your franchise?