Some websites say
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate
that something will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
Others say:
The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for
events at a time later than now.
There is a suggestion that more than one person is
aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. e.g.
I'm meeting Jim at the airport = Jim and I have discussed this.
I am leaving tomorrow. = I've already bought my train ticket.
We're having a staff meeting next Monday = all members of staff have been told about it.
I think the second one makes more senses.
But my question is that:
Is present continuous tense only used for future arrangements? & If there is no future arrangement then we can not use present continuous tense right?
See this example,
"I am seeing my mom this afternoon" could mean "My mom & I have agreed to meet each other before"
"I am going to see my mom this afternoon" could mean "I've got a plan to see my mom, but my mom may not know it she & I have not arranged a meeting yet"
"I will see my mom this afternoon": "Will" in this case expresses a Voluntary Action. I'm willing to see my mom.
"I am going to the beach this afternoon" could mean I agreed with myself that I am going to go to the beach this afternoon & I prepared stuffs (swimming suits, sun scream, etc) for that.