What you will learn
Вы научитесь отличать договорённость с конкретными деталями от намерения и выбирать Present Continuous или be going to.
How real is the plan already?
We are meeting Maya at 2. The time and person are agreed.
I am going to rest more. This is my decision.
Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
Calendar first, language second
Lena's Saturday calendar says: 11:00 dentist — confirmed; 15:30 coffee with Amir — Corner Café. In a message she writes: I'm seeing the dentist at eleven. I'm meeting Amir at half past three. These are arrangements: another person, a time or a place already makes the plan concrete.
Her notes also say: buy better running shoes; spend less time online. She writes: I'm going to buy new running shoes. I'm going to spend less time online. These are intentions; the exact appointment is not fixed.
Form
Present Continuous: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. I am meeting; she is meeting; they are meeting.
Be going to: subject + am/is/are going to + base verb. I am going to cook; he is going to cook; we are going to cook.
Questions
- What are you doing on Sunday? asks about arrangements.
- What are you going to do during your holiday? asks about intentions.
The difference is about the speaker's view, not only the date. A future time phrase can occur with either form.
A useful decision
Look for evidence of coordination: a booked ticket, agreed time, named place or another participant. If it exists, Present Continuous is the usual choice. If you only see a decision or aim, choose be going to.
Do not use I going to meet; be is required. Do not forget -ing in an arrangement: We are meeting, not We are meet.
Try it yourself
Write two plans for next weekend: one fixed arrangement with a time, place or other person, and one personal intention.
Check: Use Present Continuous for the arrangement and be going to + base verb for the intention.