i'm sure/it's sure + 'be going to' form (?)

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contida

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Dec 11, 2010
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i was in class this morning explaining the difference between 'be going to' and 'will'. i said the former would be used whenever there is evidence whereas the latter would be used with personal opinions.
now, there was this sentence:

I'm sure she ...___ like the present.

the answer given in the book was:

I'm sure she will like the present.

but i wonder whether it could be possible to say:

I'm sure she is going to like the present.

in another post in this forum i read:
it's not sure it's going to rain

so now i would like to ask you further information about the use of 'be going to' after the expression 'i'm sure' or 'it's sure'

thanx
 

Johnson_F

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The superficial answer is, "Stop worrying". Once you put I am (not) sure/certain, I think/believe/suppose/etc in front of a statement, you change the whole dynamics. Deal with will/going to as one issue. Deal with any introductory words as a separate issue.

"Paris is the capital of France" is presented as a fact.

"I don't think (that) Paris is the capital of France" is the expression of a doubt about the presented fact.
 

lauralie2

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Dec 20, 2009
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Retired English Teacher
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Hello contida,

The sentence is OK. It means you are certain that something is going to happen in the future:



  • I'm sure/certain that she is going to like the present because we bought her a book that she wanted.


______________________
Prediction


We often use going to to make a prediction about the future. Our prediction is based on evidence. We are saying what seems sure to happen. Source
 
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