Be going to

Question

HiPlease tell me about this:I am going to swim.I am going to watch TV.I am going to Madrid.I am going to Miami.Are these the same kind of sentences even although one uses a verb and the other uses a location?

Sam1947 · Accepted Answer

Yes, in that they all express an intention to do something (swim, go to Miami, etc.).

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Please tell me about this:

I am going to swim.

I am going to watch TV.

The above two use what is termed the 'the going to future'. In very broad terms, it expresses a futiure intention. The speaker is not necessarily going anywhere physically.

I am going to Madrid.

I am going to Miami.

As written, this can mean 'I am physically travelling to Madrid (or Miami) at this moment'.

Or it can mean 'I have the intention of travelling to Madrid/Miami in the future'.

A fuller way to say this is 'I am going to go to Madrid', but the 'to go' phrase is often omitted.

Note, however, that with other verbs we omit nothing, eg we say 'I am going to cook dinner'.

Are these the same kind of sentences even although one uses a verb and the other uses a location?

No.

Clive

Be going to

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