Please need paragraph correction. Unit 9 (5)

Question

Hi teachers,Could you correct this paragraph please?Arthur and Deborah are at the opera again. The curtain is going to rise and the opera is going to begin in a few seconds. The woman in front of her is talking a lot. “I hope that woman is going to stop talking.” Deborah is saying loudly. “We aren’t going to listen to the opera singers if she keeps on talking!” She is saying even more loudly.Thanks in advance.

Shawn79 · Accepted Answer

Arthur and Deborah are at the opera again. The curtain is going to rise and the opera is going to begin in a few seconds. The woman in front of Deborah is talking a lot. “I hope that woman is going to stop talking,” Deborah says loudly. “We aren’t going to hear the opera singers if she keeps on talking,” she says even more loudly.

Personally I would say "about to" as in this example:

The curtain is about to rise and the opera is going to begin in a few seconds.

You could replace either, both or neither of the "going to's" with "about to" if you wish.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Shawn79You could replace either, both or neither of the "going to's" with "about to" if you wish.

Hi Shawn79,
Thank you for your reply and suggestion, but what I wish to use is 'be going to'. We are reviewing the future with these stories I have posted in the forum, including this one. It is not wrong, if I use it instead of 'about to'. Right?

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

Thinking SpainIt is not wrong, if I use it instead of 'about to'. Right?

No, it's not wrong to use "to be going to." It's common though to hear "to be about to" especially when one wishes to emphasize the nearness/imminence of the event. Assuming you speak Spanish, to me "about to" has the meaning of "a punto de." But you can achieve that sense with a phrase like you did: "in a few seconds."

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi,
Thank you very much for your reply. You are right with the Spanish meaning. Point taken!

Could you tell me what the difference is between, 'Deborah says loudly' and 'Deborah is saying loudly'.

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

Thinking SpainCould you tell me what the difference is between, 'Deborah says loudly' and 'Deborah is saying loudly'.

You're welcome!

Using the present progressive like "is saying" can have more than one meaning. CalifJim has a great explanation of the difference in this post:

First, it could mean continuously or repeatedly possibly at different times to different people. The example in that post is: He is saying that you are a liar. It could be that he keeps saying it. Another example: She is saying "help me" (over and over).

Second, if you are reporting speech that is currently happening: The news reporter is saying there is a traffic accident downtown. Another example: I can't hear her, what is she saying?

Third, if you are clarifying what was meant by something said: He says he's tired of his job. What he is saying is that he wants a new job. (p.e. lo que quiere decir).

For narratives, the present tense is used to mean the immediate past. She say loudly...(She just said...) Does that help some?

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Shawn79Does that help some?

Hi,
Are you asking me if that helps? Are you???? Of course it does!!!

Thank you so much for you explanation and CJ's link.
I'm a big fan of him, among other teachers in this forum.

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/96.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/96.gif' alt='Emotion: giggle'/> You're very welcome!

Please need paragraph correction. Unit 9 (5)

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