Future Forms (Will/ present continuous/ going to)

[maral55]

Hi,



It seems that the more I read about the differences between these forms the more confused I get especially for choosing between to be going to and present continuous forms.


The book I am reading explains it this way that

for prediction we can use will and going to
if it is based more on an opinion than a fact we use will and when based on a present fact and when there is evidence now that something is certain to happen we use going to.

and in the end mentions that there are examples when there is no differences between the two.

This government will ruin/ is going to ruin the country with it's stupid economic policies.

I've been told that the reason we can use both in that example is that somehow Will is more formal than going to and so in business English we preferably use Will. Can you confirm this for me?


and then there's the difference between the use of present continuous and going to which really is confusing for me.


The book says for decisions and intentions we use (will and going to) while for Arrangements we use( present continuous). is that mean that we can not use present coninuous for intentions as well?


for example are we not allowed to say "I'm buying a new dress tomorrow?"

to mean I intend to buy a new dress tomorrow.


Also I really DO want to know how much it differs for you native speakers when I say ."I'm visiting Marry tonight." and "I'm going to visit Marry tonight."


Thanks in advance.

[mykwyner]

To native speakers of my dialect of English (American), there is no difference in the following sentences:

I will be buying a new car tomorrow.
I am going to buy a new car tomorrow.
I am buying a new car tomorrow.
I am going to be buying a new car tomorrow.

"I will buy a new car tomorrow," sounds awkward to me. I would use "I will" with a less definite time.

I will buy a new car when my old one dies.
I will buy a new car if I get a raise.

[maral55]

To native speakers of my dialect of English (American), there is no difference in the following sentences:

I will be buying a new car tomorrow.
I am going to buy a new car tomorrow.
I am buying a new car tomorrow.
I am going to be buying a new car tomorrow.

"I will buy a new car tomorrow," sounds awkward to me. I would use "I will" with a less definite time.

I will buy a new car when my old one dies.
I will buy a new car if I get a raise.

WOW! that's a huge range. Makes me wonder if all these grammar tips really worth the time.

[avkw19]

Hi maral55,

I think the problem is that there are lots of subtleties in English.

Also I really DO want to know how much it differs for you native speakers when I say ."I'm visiting Mary tonight." and "I'm going to visit Mary tonight."

I think the only difference to me is that the first one is generally stating what you intend to do tonight and the second one is your physical intention of going out somewhere to see someone...

As for the "will" / "going to" debate ... "I'm buying a new dress tomorrow" is fine and it can mean that you won't buy a new dress today or the day after tomorow.

In spoken English we shorten "I will ..." to "I'll ..." which sounds more natural.

Val