The meeting starts / is starting at 3:00 p.m., so don’t be late.
starts (present simple for scheduled events)
By 8:00 p.m. tonight, I will be cooking / will cook dinner for my family.
will be cooking (future continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the future)
This time next week, we will be lying / will lie on a beach in Spain!
will be lying (future continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the future)
The train leaves / is leaving at 6:00 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late!
leaves (present simple for schedules)
This time tomorrow, I will be flying / will fly to Paris for my holiday.
will be flying (future continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the future)
By the time you arrive, we will be having / will have dinner, so join us at the table!
will be having (future continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the future)
She will help / is helping you with your homework if you ask her.
will help (will for offers or promises)
The concert starts / is starting at 8:00 p.m., so we should leave by 7:30.
starts (present simple for scheduled events)
We are going to watch / will watch a movie this evening. Do you want to join us?
are going to watch (going to for plans)
I am meeting / will meet Sarah for coffee tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
am meeting (present continuous for arranged plans)
Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain / will rain soon.
is going to rain (going to for predictions based on evidence)
At this time tomorrow, they will be traveling / will travel to Paris.
will be traveling (future continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the future)
We are going to visit / will visit our grandparents this weekend.
are going to visit (going to for future plans)
I am going to bake / will bake a cake for the party tonight.
am going to bake (going to for plans)
He will call / is calling you as soon as he finishes his meeting.
will call (will for instant decisions or promises)
I think robots will do / are doing all the housework in the future.
will do (will for future predictions)
The store opens / is opening at 9:00 a.m. every day, so we can go early.
opens (present simple for timetables)
She isn’t coming / won’t come to the party because she has too much work to do.
isn’t coming (present continuous for arranged plans)
I am going to / will help you with your project if you promise to focus.
will (will for promises or instant decisions)