I'll ring you tonight / They're going to have a party/I think I'll go to bed

Question

Hello.I can't understand well the explanation that is given in this grammar (Collins Cobuild Student's Grammar). I think there are some contradictions between a),b) and c) points.a) When you are talking about your own intentions, you use will or going to.- I'll ring you tonight.- I'm going to stay at home today.b) When you are saying what someone else has decided to do, you use going to.- They're going to have a party.c) When you are announcing a decision you have just made or are about to make, you use will.- I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed.In a)  Do we only use the first person of singular ? And when do we use the first person of plural (we)?In b) Do we only use the second person (you) and the third person (he, they)? In b) Do not we use the will form (They will have a party)? In c) Do we only  refer to the a) point? I woud be very grateful for all your help about this thread.Thanks.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

There are some suggestions which might be of use.

We use it when referring to the decision which has been just made (in the moment of speech)
It is a nice car! I will probably buy one.

We don't use it when implying something planned earlier (so to say arrangaments). In this case we tend to use:
Present Continuous

be going to
Present Simple (is being used for strict time-scheduled events, assignments, e.t.c or any very formal events that is unlikely to change).

It's principles. There are some peculiarities and exceptions about them, which you can find in some advanced grammar books. Let's stick to your questions.

JesusenglandIn a) Do we only use the first person of singular ? And when do we use the first person of plural (we)?

.
Since it's your own thoughts they seem to be used with the person. If considering the team you're a leader of or you express the collective opinion, you can use it.

We will write that program for you (decision has just been made). Only the question left is money.

JesusenglandIn b) Do we only use the second person (you) and the third person (he, they)?

No. It's basics. From your book's example you can see that you, they are both acceptable.

Jesusengland b) Do not we use the will form (They will have a party)?

They have planned it, so as I told you above, be going to should take place.

Jesusengland) Do we only refer to the a) point?

Partly, yes. Sometimes the exact choice is not so easy to make and the difference when decision or own intention is implied isn't always tangible.
Will can imply - intention, probability, possibility, inevitability. So, you can consider to which extent it is being used. So the word "only" can't be applied to such a flexible thing as language.

I'll ring you tonight / They're going to have a party/I think I'll go to bed

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