Winwin2011
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2011
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Hong Kong
- Current Location
- Hong Kong
Present continuous (I am doing) for the future and going to
A. We use the present continuous and going to + infinitive to talk about future activities and events that ae intended or have already been arranged.
B. When we talk about an INTENTION to do something in the future, although no definite arrangement has been made, we prefer going to rather than the present continuous. To emphaise that we are talking about a DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT, we prefer the Present continuous.
e.g Before I go to China next year, I'm going to learn some Cantonese.(rather than ....I am learning some Cantonese).
Question 1. As native English speakers, will you think it's too complicated to differentiate "an INTENTION to do something in the future with no definite arrangement' and "with a DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT"?.
Question 2. When you communicate in English, will you consider the above factors before using "going to" or "the present continuous"?
Quesion 3. Do you think English is difficult for non-native English speakers to learn because there are a lot of rules of grammar have to be followed?
Would be appreciated for your help!
A. We use the present continuous and going to + infinitive to talk about future activities and events that ae intended or have already been arranged.
B. When we talk about an INTENTION to do something in the future, although no definite arrangement has been made, we prefer going to rather than the present continuous. To emphaise that we are talking about a DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT, we prefer the Present continuous.
e.g Before I go to China next year, I'm going to learn some Cantonese.(rather than ....I am learning some Cantonese).
Question 1. As native English speakers, will you think it's too complicated to differentiate "an INTENTION to do something in the future with no definite arrangement' and "with a DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT"?.
Question 2. When you communicate in English, will you consider the above factors before using "going to" or "the present continuous"?
Quesion 3. Do you think English is difficult for non-native English speakers to learn because there are a lot of rules of grammar have to be followed?
Would be appreciated for your help!
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