Expressing Plans

and
Intentions
 Expressing “plans” using Present Continuous Tense
• We normally use the present continuous to talk about action
happening in the present. (now, at the moment, today, at
present, still, etc.)
• However, we can also use the present continuous tense to talk
about the future by adding a future word.
• We usually use it when the plan is an ‘arrangement’ – more
than one person is involved and we know the time or the place
is specific so that the sentence has a future meaning.
• (By "future word" we mean words or expressions
like tomorrow, next week, in June, at 5 o’clock, etc.
 Pattern and Examples
Pattern: S + is/am/are + V-ing + O + time or place + future word
Ex:
We're spending our holidays in Bali this June.
(There are more than one person in this sentence “We”. Place and time
“Bali” and “this June”. The future word used “this June”.)
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.
(There are more than one person in this sentence “I” and “my doctor”.
Time “afternoon” and “at 3 o’clock”. The future word used “tomorrow =
tomorrow afternoon”.)
Other expressions:
You can also use the following pattern:
S + to be (is, am, are) + planning to + V-1 …
Example:
We’re planning to move into a new house at the end of April.
*If you happen to use this pattern while speaking or you hear someone
talks by using this pattern, it means that the plan has been arranged
because of the time and place are specifically mentioned.
 Expressing “intentions”
• An intention is something that you would like to do in the future. These are
general plans for the future.
• You use ‘to be (is, am, are) + going to' to talk about intentions.
• When we are talking about an intention, we have not taken any specific,
concrete steps to achieve the action. We are just talking about something
that we hope to do in the future.
Pattern: S + to be (is, am, are) + going to + V-1 + O/C
Ex:
He is going to apply to an international company after he finishes his study.
(This sentence is a hope or something that the person would like to do in the
future. The time is not specific. We don’t know when he will finish his study.)
Pattern: S + (is, am, are) + going to + be + occasion/ambition (cita-
cita/impian) + C
Example:
I’m going to be a professor in the future.
Clara is going to be a business woman when she grows up.
Adverb of time: in the future, (sometime) this year, someday,
“will”
• We use “will” + infinitive to talk about future events and predictions.
Ex:
Mobile phones will replace desk phones in the next few years.
Our company will not (won’t) survive without investment in new technology.
• We also use will + infinitive for offers and promises
Ex:
I can see you’re busy. I’ll finish the report for you.
I’ll have the document ready this afternoon.
• We often use these time expressions to refer to the future.
tomorrow, tomorrow evening, the day after tomorrow, next Friday, next month, at
the end of May, etc.