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Jingtian Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Is to be.../is going to be.../will be ...

What's the difference between the following three sentences?

The building is to be demolished.
The building is going to be demolished.
The building will be demolished.
  

Top answer

-- The future fact is certain, irrevocable. -- The speaker has external or internal evidence for the event. -- The speaker judges the future fact.

— Mister Micawber

  • -- The future fact is certain, irrevocable.
  • -- The speaker has external or internal evidence for the event.
  • -- The speaker judges the future fact.
  • These are interpretations that grammarians have devised, but are not necessarily what the speaker is thinking.
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2 Answers
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Generally,

The building is to be demolished.-- The future fact is certain, irrevocable.
The building is going to be demolished.-- The speaker has external or internal evidence for the event.
The building will be demolished.-- The speaker judges the future fact.

These are interpretations that grammarians have devised, but are not necessarily wh
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Thanks, Mister Micawber.
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