Simple future/Present continuous

[Borovac]

Hi


I found the following explanation about the uses of Simple Future ans Present Continuous in a book:


"SIMPLE FUTURE
We can use be going to + Infinitive to talk about plans.
Going to often emphasizes the idea of intention or decision. Examples:
I am going to wear a dress.
He is going to make a cake.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We can use the present continuous to talk about definite arrangements in the future. It is used with time expressions such as tonight, tomorrow, on Sunday afternoon, on May 20, tomorrow at 10:00. Examples:

Student A: What are you doing next saturday?
Student B: I'm dancing with Brooke. And you?
Student A: I'm staying home"


It isn't clear to me when to use one or the other form. Could anybopdy explain it better? What would be the diffrence , for example between saying: "I am going to wear a dress" and "I am wearing a dress"?

I also do't know exatly when to use "will" when talking about future in comparision to the other 2 forms above


Thank you very much!

[Raymott]

Hi


I found the following explanation about the uses of Simple Future ans Present Continuous in a book:


"SIMPLE FUTURE
We can use be going to + Infinitive to talk about plans.
Going to often emphasizes the idea of intention or decision. Examples:
I am going to wear a dress.
He is going to make a cake.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We can use the present continuous to talk about definite arrangements in the future. It is used with time expressions such as tonight, tomorrow, on Sunday afternoon, on May 20, tomorrow at 10:00. Examples:

Student A: What are you doing next saturday?
Student B: I'm dancing with Brooke. And you?
Student A: I'm staying home"


It isn't clear to me when to use one or the other form. Could anybopdy explain it better? What would be the diffrence , for example between saying: "I am going to wear a dress" and "I am wearing a dress"?

I also do't know exatly when to use "will" when talking about future in comparision to the other 2 forms above


Thank you very much!

These passages do not explain the differences very well. In fact, I doubt whether they are trying to show a difference.

1.
They call "am going to + infinitive" the future tense. Yes, that is one form.
Another form is "will"
I will wear a dress, tomorrow. (But see below. This form is rarely used without an adverb)
He will make a cake, tonight.

2.
Student A: What are you doing next saturday?
Student B: I'm dancing with Brooke. And you?
Student B: I'm going dancing with Brooke. And you? (Also correct)
Student B: I will probably go dancing with Brooke. And you? (Also correct)
Student B: I'm going to fix my car. And you? (Also correct; same form as 1)

Student A: I'm staying home"
Student A: I'm going to stay home" (Also correct)
Student A: I will probably stay home" (Also correct)
Student A: I intend staying home" (Also correct)
Student A: I think I'll stay home" (Also correct)


Note a bare "I will go dancing" is not common, but with an adverb it is.
"Maybe I will go dancing". "Possibly I'll go dancing". "I think I will go dancing"
"I will stay at home, as usual", "I'll stay at home most likely".