I will / am going to give it back tomorrow

Question

Hello everybody,

Here's a short dialogue between the father and his son. Which variety sounds most natural to you?

Thank you in advance for your answers,
Magixo

VAR 1

A: Dad, can you lend me 10 dollars, please?
A: I will give it back tomorrow.
B: I don't know. What will you do?
B: I will see a new movie with Tina and Mike.

VAR 2

A: Dad, can you lend me 10 dollars, please?
A: I am going to give it back tomorrow.
B: I don't know. What are you you going to do?
B: I am going to see a new movie with Tina and Mike.

VAR 3

A: Dad, can you lend me 10 dollars, please?
A: I will give it back tomorrow.
B: I don't know. What are you going to do?
B: I am going to see a new movie with Tina and Mike.

(missing image)

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I vote for the mixed version   -   #3.

Mister Micawber · Answer

A: Dad, can you lend me ten dollars, please? I'll give it back tomorrow.
B: I don't know. What are you going to do with it?
A: I'm going to see a new movie with Tina and Mike.

Magixo · Answer

Thank you very much for your answer.

I still have problems with the sentence

(*) I'll give it back tomorrow.

My grammar books says that we use will for (1) willingness and/or (2) predistions. On the other hand we use going to for (3) plans and (4) intentions. How should I classify the sentence (*)? It seams to me that the sentence does not fit into any of the given definitions.

When I try to rephrase the sentence I'll give it back tomorrow using my grammar definitions I get:

(1) I am willing to give it back tomorrow. (willingness)

(2) (I think, I hope) I will give it back tomorrow. (prediction, guess)

(3) I am planning to give it back tomorrow. = I am going to give it back tomorrow. (plan)

(4) My intention is to give it back tomorrow. = I am going to give it back tomorrow. (intention)

What are you actually saying when you say I'll give it back tomorrow? How would I change the meaning of the sentence (*) if I said I am going to give it back tomorrow instead of I'll give it back tomorrow?

Thank you in advance for your explanations.

Magixo

Avangi · Answer

magixoWhat are you actually saying when you say I'll give it back tomorrow? How would I change the meaning of the sentence (*) if I said I am going to give it back tomorrow instead of I'll give it back tomorrow?

You're saying that you plan/intend to give it back tomorrow. These are your definitions 3 & 4.

The difference between planning to give it back and intending to give it back is very subtle, and I don't believe it would be recognized by the average native speaker.

Likewise, the difference between "I will X" and "I'm going to X" is non-existent in terms of practical usage.

Note that both "will" and "going" have other uses.

Where are you going? (reply) I'm going to the movies.

What are you going to do? (reply) I'm going to go to the movies.

As a question, "What are you going to do tonight?" is more common than "What will you do tonight?"

Mister Micawber · Answer

I'll give it back tomorrow is a flat statement of future fact as an inevitable result of some present situation (here, the speaker's commitment to do so). It is a stronger assurance than 'I'm going to' as a plan.

Avangi · Answer

Mister MicawberI'll give it back tomorrow is a flat statement of future fact as an inevitable result of some present situation (here, the speaker's commitment to do so). It is a stronger assurance than 'I'm going to' as a plan.

Hi, MrM,
In light of magixo's question regarding the "quotes" from his grammar books, it seems hard to deny that all of these interpretations are possible given the right context. Unfortunately, his dialogue is a bit short on context.

It seems natural to say, "I'll give it back tomorrow," without the intention of describing an inevitable result.

If "I'm going to" may describe an intention, why is the result any "less inevitable"?

And I struggle to find the difference between "this is my intention" and "this is my plan" - unless there's context to indicate that the plan is hypothetical, such as the use of an "if" clause.

If the pressure continues to rise, the vessel will explode.

If the pressure continues to rise, the vessel is going to explode.

Is there really a difference here?

Are these predictions or statements of inevitable future facts?

Best regards, - A.

Mister Micawber · Answer

If you see little or no difference, then I think little damage is done. The future forms are a concern of linguists and not us. These are discussed at great length in (among others) Palmer's A Linguistic Study of the English Verb, Leech's Meaning and the English Verb, and Michael Lewis' more modern The English Verb.

I think I have expressed the difference between the '-ll' future and the 'be going to' future when used with the phrase 'give it back tomorrow' as best I can; it is, as you say, subtler than many will allow. If you like, consider other examples:

I'll ask him if I see him.

I'm going to ask him if I see him.

The first presents a future inevitability (under the condition of seeing the person), and it is based on a decision made or a fact observed at the moment of speaking. The second presents a previously-made decision; it does not suggest the inevitability that the first does, however; it is a strong intention. As a listener, the first inspires more confidence in me that the person will be asked. Perhaps it does not do so for you.

Avangi · Answer

Great post!  Thanks.

Magixo · Answer

Thank you very much for your explanation.

Following your answer about the commitment of the speaker, I have searched the Web and found that will is also used for promises.

In other words I could rephrase the sentence l'll give it back tomorrow as I promise to give it back tomorrow. Do you agree with me?

Thank you very much once again,

Magixo

Mister Micawber · Answer

Yes, as Avangi says, more than one interpretation is possible.  The boy could well be making a promise.

I will / am going to give it back tomorrow

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