THE FUTURE: WILL, THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND GOING TO

The most important differences between the present continuous, going to, and will are as follows:

We use the present continuous for arrangements (except with stative verbs):

I'm having a meeting with the Export Manager on Thursday at 2.15.

We use going to for decisions and intentions:

I've made up my mind. I'm going to buy a BMW 730i.

We use going to for firm predictions:

It's already 28 °C. It's going to be very hot today.

We use will for spontaneous decisions:

I wonder if Peter is back from his marketing trip. I'll give him a ring.

We use will for promises, offers, and requests:

I'll give you a hand with those boxes if you like.

We use will for general predictions:

In the next century, computers will play a vital role in everyone's life.