be going to do & present continuous tense

Question

I've learned present continuous tense can also express things regarding future as future tense does, but I'm wondering what is the difference(s) between <be going to do> and <present continuous tense>.

For me, those two below look similar as for meaning.
I'm going to talk to Jane today(, this evening, tomorrow, or whatever).
I'm talking to Jane today(, this evening, tomorrow, or whatever).

Trolley · Accepted Answer

Hi, Hachi8:)
To me, both of them are just giving the same meaning as "I will talk to Jane" later. Sometimes we have more than one way to express ourselves in English.

Fivejedjon · Answer

The present continuous is normally used if the speaker is aware of some form of arrangement for a future situation. BE + going to is used if the speaker has present evidence of the future situation. Off course, if the speaker's present evidence is his/her knowledge of the arrangement, then the two forms have effectively the same meaning.

Laborious · Answer

I will just talk about "I'm going to talk to Jane today" and "I'm talking to Jane today". ..

I am going to talk to Jane today, to me, suggests that the action hasn't yet happened, the action will happen at some time later today, but the decision has already been made. (the speaker has already decided to do that today)

I am talking to Jane today, to me, suggests 1) you're talking to Jane today (at or around the time of speaking), you've already talked to Jane once, twice, thrice or maybe more times today. This suggests the repetition of the action (talking to Jane). 2) the action will happen (at some time) later today, but (at the time of speaking) you've already made plans or arrangements for talking to her today. (Notice that the 2nd meaning is very similar to that of "I'm going to talk to Jane today" above).

be going to do & present continuous tense

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