Present continuous (future) and Be going to

Read the following sentences. They are examples of the present continuous used to talk about "now".

They are reading a magazine. They aren't reading a leaflet.
Are they taking pictures? No, they aren't.

Now two possible ways of talking about the future (click and listen):


What are you going to do on Saturday evening? / What are you doing on Saturday evening?
I'm going to visit my parents on Sunday. / I'm visiting my parents next Sunday.
I'm washing my hair this evening. / I'm going to wash my hair this evening.

Present continuous >>> PERSONAL ARRANGEMENTS Leave, come, go, meet (actividades de mi agenda)
My sister's coming later.
Are you going out tonight?
Her brother is leaving tomorrow.
I'm meeting him at three.
I'm having lunch with him later.
I'm having dinner with her tomorrow evening.
They're getting married next month.


Be going to 1 >>> INTENTION:


I'm going buy a new car soon.
Sally says she's going to phone them this afternoon.
When are you going to do the washing-up?


Diferencia de énfasis o enfoque:
I'm going to meet her at the station (subrayo que es mi intención. Ella a lo mejor no sabe nada).
I'm meeting her at the station (pongo énfasis en que ya he tomado las medidas necesarias para ello: conozco los horarios, tengo pensado cómo voy a ir; a lo mejor lo he hablado con ella).


Be going to 2 >>>  PRESENT EVIDENCE Predecimos el futuro basándonos en pruebas actuales:

That lady is going to have a baby.
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
She's going to get very angry when she finds out. (La conozco y sé que va a reaccionar así)