Talking about your plans in English

Here are some useful phrases to talk about your future plans.

One of the most common structures used for talking about your plans is the present continuous tense. When we say that something is happening or is going to happen in the future, it is usually already planned or decided.

Examples:

• ‘What are you doing this evening?’ ‘I’m washing my car.’
• ‘Are you doing anything this weekend?’ ‘Yes, I’m thinking of visiting my grandparents.’
• ‘Are you going to Venice again for summer?’ ‘No, this summer we are going to Switzerland.’
• ‘When are you going to get a job?’ ‘I’m hoping to get one soon.’
• ‘Who’s cooking lunch?’
• ‘What are we having for lunch?’
• ‘When are you going to get that car repaired?’

Other common structures used for asking about plans are:

• ‘What are your plans for summer?’ ‘I would like to go to Brazil, but it is too far.’
• ‘Have you decided where you are going on holiday? ‘I can’t choose between Italy and France.’
• ‘What are you up to next Sunday?’ ‘I’m planning to do some shopping.’

When your plans aren’t yet certain

• ‘If I get my raise, I will buy a new car.’
• ‘It looks like we are going to Italy again.’
• ‘I’m not exactly sure, but we might be going to Turkey.’
• ‘If we get our visa in time, we will be going to Mexico.’

When your plans are all arranged

When your plans are all arranged, you can use the present perfect tense to announce your plans. The present continuous tense is also possible.

• We’ve decided to go to Mexico again.
• We’ve decided to get the roof repaired at Easter. OR We’re getting the roof repaired at Easter.
• I’m seeing Susie on Monday.
• We have booked a camping holiday in Algeria.