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Hela Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Present progressive VS be going to
Dear teachers,
1/ What’s the difference between: (with time BLOCKED EXPRESSION
a) I am meeting Tom at the station at six. (it’s certain)
b) I am going to meet Tom at the station at six. (it’s likely but not certain ?)
2/ What’s the difference between: (without time BLOCKED EXPRESSION
a) I am meeting Tom.
b) I am going to meet Tom.
=
a) Tom and I have agreed to meet (it’s an arrangement with Tom?)
b) Tom might be surprised to see me (Tom & I did not arrange to meet?)
3/ Are there instances where the present progressive is equivalent to “be going to”?
Thanks a million.
All the best,
Hela
1/ What’s the difference between: (with time BLOCKED EXPRESSION
a) I am meeting Tom at the station at six. (it’s certain)
b) I am going to meet Tom at the station at six. (it’s likely but not certain ?)
2/ What’s the difference between: (without time BLOCKED EXPRESSION
a) I am meeting Tom.
b) I am going to meet Tom.
=
a) Tom and I have agreed to meet (it’s an arrangement with Tom?)
b) Tom might be surprised to see me (Tom & I did not arrange to meet?)
3/ Are there instances where the present progressive is equivalent to “be going to”?
Thanks a million.
All the best,
Hela
Top answer
RE: 1 & 2 -- time expression is not of the essence. This is a large topic, but to start you off: '(Be) going to' -- the speaker has some sort of evidence of the future event, either plans have been made or it is seen as inevitable from an external viewpoint. Present continuous -- previous arrangements have been made, and the event is usually in the relatively immediate future.
- RE: 1 & 2 -- time expression is not of the essence.
- This is a large topic, but to start you off: '(Be) going to' -- the speaker has some sort of evidence of the future event, either plans have been made or it is seen as inevitable from an external viewpoint.
- Present continuous -- previous arrangements have been made, and the event is usually in the relatively immediate future.
- RE: 3 -- In many cases, either will serve; I think that many feel the 'going to' form is slightly less formal and will avoid it in careful writing.
- )' (PROBABLY NO SURPRISE) -- are possible but not mandatory.
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1 Answers
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RE: 1 & 2 -- time expression is not of the essence. This is a large topic, but to start you off:
'(Be) going to' -- the speaker has some sort of evidence of the future event, either plans have been made or it is seen as inevitable from an external viewpoint.
Present continuous -- previous arrangements have been made, and the event is usually in the relatively immediate future.
'(Be) going to' -- the speaker has some sort of evidence of the future event, either plans have been made or it is seen as inevitable from an external viewpoint.
Present continuous -- previous arrangements have been made, and the event is usually in the relatively immediate future.
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