Let's use Japanese grammar! Teacher's Grammar Explanation for Beginners - Let's talk about schedules and plans - / Japanese Learning Support LLC
Let's talk about the future using the words ``intend'' and ``plan.''
What are you doing this weekend?
When do you have a work meeting?
What will you be doing in 20 years?
This time, let's learn how to talk fluently about future plans and plans.
Nowadays, we feel like the seasons are changing as the days get colder, but let's continue to study hard. During lessons, I often ask, ``What do you do on the weekends?'' and I often get answers like this.
"I'm going to Shinjuku."
"Maybe I'll go out for drinks with some friends."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Still do not know"
All are simple and good answers. However, it feels a little bland for some reason... So this time, let's practice expressions to talk about the future.
■"I'm thinking of going out for drinks with my friends."
→This is a way of saying this using the verb form ``intention form.'' Talk about the speaker's plans, plans, and what he or she has decided to do . Check out how to easily make it below.
1group
Go(ki)masu→Go(ko)u
I will drink (mi) → I will drink (mo)
write(ki)masu → write(ko)u
These verbs change from an (i) sound to an (o) sound.
2group
I'll see → Let's see
I'll wake up → Let's wake up
I will remember → Let's remember
This verb takes "masu" and adds "yo".
3group
I will → Let’s do it
Come → Come
Let's memorize the two special forms of verbs as they are.
Now, let's make a sentence using the intention tense.
〇I'm thinking of buying a new computer in Akihabara on Saturday.
〇Tickets are half price on Culture Day, so I think I'll go to the museum.
〇I'm thinking of returning to my country once this year.
〇A: Are you going somewhere tomorrow?
B: Hmm, what should I do? It's going to be cold and rainy tomorrow too.
→The “let’s” part of “What should I do?” also uses the intention form here!
〇If you have free time tomorrow, let's go see a movie together!
→It can also be used as a casual way to invite someone by saying, “Let’s do something.” Many people may find this method more appealing.
× "I'm planning to meet with the president of my business partner at 2:00 pm tomorrow."
→Basically, it is not used for definite plans or things that have already been decided as a schedule.
When you want to express a fixed schedule, try using the following grammar.
■"I'm planning to go out drinking with friends."
→Used to say something that has been decided as a schedule or something that will be done without fail . In addition to words that express specific times such as ``XX o'clock'', ``XX day'', and ``AM/PM'', they often refer to immediate plans such as tomorrow or next week's XX day of the week.
Example) 〇I plan to meet Mr. Yamada at 3 o'clock tomorrow.
〇I'm planning to go on a trip to Nagano with my friends on the weekend.
〇In case of rain, tomorrow's event will not be held.
→When using verbs, use the dictionary form or the absent form (negative form).
〇The president is scheduled to go on a business trip from Friday afternoon.
〇This evening's meeting is scheduled to last 30 minutes.
→When using a noun, add "no" and say "N's plan".
When talking about your plans, try using these expressions:
■I'm going out drinking with my friends.
→You can also use this grammar for things that have already been decided. It is used for things that you did not decide on your own, such as a schedule for a meeting or something that was decided after discussing with the other person . The verb can be used in the dictionary form or the non-verbal form, just like ``plan.''
Example) 〇I'm going to meet Mr. Yamada at 3 o'clock tomorrow.
〇In case of rain, tomorrow's event will not be held.
〇The president is scheduled to go on a business trip from Friday afternoon.
〇I'm not going anywhere tomorrow, but I'm going to clean the house.
→When talking about plans that you have decided on by yourself, you can say ``I am planning to...''.
△I plan to quit my job and live in the countryside in 20 years.
△In 20 years, I will quit my job and live in the countryside.
→What do you think of this sentence? This grammar can be used when the schedule is definitely fixed. However, there are probably not many people who say that their future 20 years from now is definitely decided. What should I say in a situation like this?
■"I'm going to go out drinking with my friends."
→It is a way of expressing the speaker's intentions and plans to the other person . Since it is an expression that conveys ``intention,'' it can convey a positive and proactive tone that cannot be conveyed by saying ``I plan to...'', such as ``I want to do something.''
Example) 〇I'm planning to clean my room on the weekend.
〇I plan to spend Christmas with my family this year.
〇I don't plan on quitting this job for the time being.
→You can use the dictionary form or non-dictionary form of the verb here, just like how to say ``It is planned'' earlier. It conveys to the other person the speaker's intention, ``I'm going to do some big cleaning this weekend!'' or ``I'm going to continue doing this job as much as possible.''
〇I plan to quit my job and live in the countryside in 20 years.
→Now, this sentence that came out a little unnatural earlier can be made into a beautiful Japanese sentence if you use ``I'm going to''. Even if the schedule is not fixed or is actually still uncertain, it can be used if the speaker wants to do it or is thinking about doing it. On the other hand, don't use it for schedules that are definitely fixed, and be careful not to use sentences like ``The president is going to go on a business trip on Friday afternoon,'' as it will look unnatural.
Now, this time we practiced how to convey plans and schedules using four words: ``I'm going to'', ``I'm planning'', ``I'm going to...'', and ``I think I'm going to...''. Broadly speaking, ``I'm going to do it'' and ``I'm going to do it'' are used to convey one's intentions and plans, and can also be used for uncertain plans, and when you want to convey a definite plan to the other person in a business-like manner. Would it be more natural to use ``It's a plan'' or ``It's supposed to be''? Be sure to incorporate it into your conversations and vividly convey your schedule and plans to your partner!
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