DO

Question

HelloWhat are the differences in meaning among the following:1. What do we do now?2. What are we going to do now?3. What will we do now?

Philip · Accepted Answer

All three are fine. #1 and #3 can carry the meaning of: well, we've done what we can, so now what?

CalifJim · Answer

Newguest1. What do we do now?
2. What are we going to do now?
3. What will we do now?

The nuances are so subtle that's it's nearly impossible to explain them. You may be able to use more than one of these in any given situation. Below I give you a few scenarios where I can imagine one of these being used. That doesn't mean that these are the only scenarios in which these expressions can be used.

1a. You are in the middle of a procedure. Someone is instructing you, step by step. You want to know the next step in the procedure. The timing is immediate.

-- Now stir the mixture for about a minute.

-- OK. I've finished that. What do we do now?

-- Add the butter and eggs.

1b. An usual situation has come up. Your plans have gone awry. You want to know the appropriate thing to do next.

-- Jack hasn't showed up on time.

-- But if we wait for him any longer, we'll all be late for the game. What do we do now?

2a. You have just finished doing something, possibly something amusing. You want to know what the next thing is on the agenda because you don't want to get bored. You want to move on to another amusing activity. The timing is mid-range, not necessarily immediate.

-- Going for a swim was a great idea. I had a lot of fun.

-- Me too. What are we going to do now?

-- I was thinking we could get some steaks and grill them.

-- Good idea!

2b. [Same as 1b. but with a bit more panic about the situation.]

-- Can you run on ahead and open the door?

-- OK. Toss me the keys.

[The keys are tossed, but missed. They end up in a street sewer.]

-- What are we going to do now?

3a. [Less usual, I'd say.] Some tragedy has occurred, the death of the head of the family, perhaps. The family's source of income is gone. You want to know how you will be able to survive under these circumstances. The timing is long-range.

CJ

Newguest · Answer

I think I get it guys. Thank you for your explanations.

DO

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