will vs be going to

Question

She will read a book at 9 o'clock.She will travel at 6:30 pm.The boys play in the bedroom at half past seven.You have medical(?) at three o'clock. Are there any good examples to illustrate the clear distinctions between will and be going to; and some examples that both will and be going to acn be properly used.

Chiachen · Accepted Answer

Also, He gets/wakes up at (a) qauarter to seven. It is correct that we can skip the a?
Is it very common we say: I have medical at 3:00.

Chiachen · Answer

Please help!

Fivejedjon · Answer

chiachenAre there any good examples to illustrate the clear distinctions between will and be going to; and some examples that both will and be going to acn be properly used.

Will indicates the speaker's certainty of a future situation, or involves some idea of volition; Be going to indicates that there is present evidence of a future situation; the present simple is used for future situations seen as scheduled, and the present progressive for future situations for which some form of arrangement exists. Quite often any one of the forms can be used - the choice depends on the way in which the speaker perceives the situation.

The Queen flies to Moscow next Thursday - scheduled
... is flying ... - arrangement
... is going to fly ... there is present evidence of this
... will fly ... - certainty

~~It rains tomorrow~~ - Highly unlikely, as future rain cannot be scheduled.
~~It is raining tomorrow~~ - Highly unlikely, as we cannot make arrangements for future rain.

Now let's look at your four sentences.

She will read a book at 9 o'clock. In practical terms, any way of expressing this future activity at a specified time is unlikely. Far more likely are:
She is going to read in bed this evening. 'She' has previously told the speaker this, so there is present evidence.
She will read in bed this evening. The speaker is certain of this, because s/he knows that 'She' always reads in bed.

She will travel at 6:30 pm. Personally, I would be more likely to say 'leave' or 'set off' than 'travel' when a specific future time is mentioned. However, whatever form we use, all ways of expressing futurity are possible.

The boys play in the bedroom at half past seven. Once again, a not very likely utterance with any way of expressing futurity.

You have a/your medical at three o'clock. A very natural way to remind someone of a scheduled apppointment.

Chiachen · Answer

Thank you. You gave a very precise answer with many examples.
Would you please also help check this: (Tomorrow,) I'm going to buy cookies, chips and pop corn. You could buy drinks like soda, juice and beer. Ok, I have an idea. Let's do this. Tomorrow, I'll pick you up and we're going grocery shopping.(going to do grocery shopping?) We can then decide what we need for the party!! I'll be at your house around 10:00 am, OK? Don't be late as usual! Any mistakes?
It's correct :what we need for the party, and it's not better: what we'll need for the party.

Also a quarter to seven, is it correct to skip the "a".

will vs be going to

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