Future continuous vs. going to

Question

Hi,I am going to stay in New York for 6 weeks.I will be staying in New York for 6 weeks.What´s the difference between using "will be -ing" and the "going to" form? Are they interchangeable? Could I use the future simple as well? I will stay in New York for 6 weeks.Thank you in advance!

Tarirotari · Accepted Answer

Hi,

As I see it, the sentences you use all refer to the same future action, and I think many times could be interchangeable because there isn't a big diference in meaning.

1. If you say I'm going to stay...
You convey the idea of intention. It's your plan, or idea to stay in New York, although you haven't probably made any arrangements yet.

2. If you say I will be staying...
You merely state that this is what will happen (without expressing any idea of intention) in a normal course of events.

3.If you say I will stay...
I understand that you have just decided to stay in New York at the time of speaking. Maybe you didn't know quite well what to do, and someone just asked you and you said, "(you know what) I'll stay in New York."
Or you could also use this form to express a promise to someone (I promise) I will stay..., or strong resolution to do something.
You could also use this form to express what you think will happen, although you are not sure.

Well, that's my view, but the future can be very tricky. Let's see if more people share their views.

CalifJim · Answer

kane159Are they interchangeable?

Yes and no. Each of the forms has its own "feeling" even though the main meaning is the same in each case.

I will stay / I'll stay
I am going to stay / I'm going to stay
I will be staying / I'll be staying
I am going to be staying / I'm going to be staying

First, in ordinary conversation the contracted forms are practically the only ones used. The non-contracted forms are used mostly in writing, but can also be used for emphasis in speaking.

Next, the forms with "going" usually suggest prior planning.
The forms with "will" are more matter-of-fact or 'business-like'.

Last, the forms with -ing on the main verb (staying) are more descriptive; they are more likely to invite the listener to imagine an on-going situation when compared to the forms without -ing (stay).

So, if you think about it, you'll see that I listed them above (more or less) in order of increasing excitement, interest, and personal involvement. I will stay is very bland; I'm going to be staying is exciting in comparison. Your friends will consider you very dull indeed if you express everything in the future using that first form:

I will go to New York. I will stay there for six days. I will see the Statue of Liberty. I will see the Empire State Building. I will take a tour of Manhattan. I will return here. I will be tired after my trip.

Boring! Don't invite this guy to a party!

CJ

Kane159 · Answer

CJ,explain one thing to me please: how come your explanations are so clear,comprehensible,and,without any exaggeration,awesome? I wish you were my teacher,because you are really great! Are you capable of splitting yourself into more CJs?

Thank you a lot!

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,

I'd add that the form 'going to' can be used for predictions: Look at the clouds in the sky! It's going to rain.

CalifJim · Answer

kane159Are you capable of splitting yourself into more CJs?

Thanks so much for your kind words, but no, there's only one of me, and I strongly suspect that science is so far not advanced enough to do the splitting process you're hoping for!

CJ

Kane159 · Answer

I have one more question,please.
If I get this right,I could say : "I will go to New York" even if I have already bought tickets and arranged everything,right? Using the future simple in this sentence suggests that I´m not particulary interested in the journey,perhaps I am not even looking forward to it,right? I´ve been taught that in such cases we use the present continuous.
Thank you again,CalifJim.

CalifJim · Answer

kane159I could say : "I will go to New York" even if I have already bought tickets and arranged everything,right?

Yes, in the right circumstances, you could, but that would be rare. It would be almost like hiding from your listener the fact that you made the arrangements. Ninety-nine percent of the time you probably wouldn't say it in the simple future like that.

kane159Using the future simple in this sentence suggests that I´m not particulary interested in the journey,perhaps I am not even looking forward to it,right?

Not necessarily. See my interpretation above.

(It takes a lot of listening and practice with English before any of these choices start to make sense and become automatic for you.)

kane159I´ve been taught that in such cases we use the present continuous.

That is probably the best choice, yes. I'm going to New York.

CJ

Future continuous vs. going to

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