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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Will be/going to be?

What is the difference between saying "Bill will be here in a few minutes" and "Bill is going to be here in a few minutes"? Do both of them imply that Bill's presence in the place is something that is definitely happening? Thanks!!
  

Top answer

Anonymous What is the difference between saying "Bill will be here in a few minutes" and "Bill is going to be here in a few minutes"? Do both of them imply that Bill's presence in the place is something that is definitely happening? There's no difference in meaning between them.

— Avangi

  • Anonymous What is the difference between saying "Bill will be here in a few minutes" and "Bill is going to be here in a few minutes"?
  • Do both of them imply that Bill's presence in the place is something that is definitely happening?
  • There's no difference in meaning between them.
  • Yes, it's the opinion of the speaker that the thing in question will definitely happen, or is definitely going to happen.
  • I hesitate to say that it's happening , because that could be taken as present continuous.
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4 Answers
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AnonymousWhat is the difference between saying "Bill will be here in a few minutes" and "Bill is going to be here in a few minutes"? Do both of them imply that Bill's presence in the place is something that is definitely happening?
There's no difference in meaning between them.

Yes, it's the opinion of the speaker that the thing in question will defi
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Thanks! I'm sorry, I actually meant Bill's presence is something that is definitely going to happen Emotion: embarrassed
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No problem at all. We often use the present tense to describe the future. The context usually makes it clear.
There's nothing incorrect about it. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

I understand Santa Claus is coming tomorrow night.(simple present tense, talking about future time)
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AnonymousDo both of them imply that Bill's presence in the place is something that is definitely happening?
No. Not "definitely happening". They are both statements about the future, and we can never be certain that a certain situation will (is going to) happen in the future. All we can do is make a more or less confident prediction that it will (is going t
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