'be going to' and present progressive

[peter123]

Hi teachers,
Please help if my explanations are correct or not.

You're not wearing that skirt to school? (enquire about my arranged action)

You're not wearing that skirt to school! (surprised about my arranged action)

You're not going to wear that skirt to school? (enquire about my decided action)

You're not going to wear that skirt to school! (surprised about my decided action)

thank you for much.
pete

 

[MrPedantic]

I would say that those were fair interpretations, and that yes, "be going to" can imply a planned action.

Other contexts might provide other interpretations, however. Thus

1. You're not going to wear that skirt to school?

could suggest mild surprise, if the girl isn't wearing the skirt in question; while if she is,

2. You're not going to wear that skirt to school!

could suggest outrage and disapproval.

Best wishes,

MrP

 

[peter123]

Hi there,

Thanks so much. Your answers are very helpful. I want to ask one more question.

What is the difference in meaning between the present progressive and 'be going to' in the following sentences? Are they interchangable in these two examples?
You're not wearing that skirt to school!

You're not going to wear that skirt to school!

Thanks in advance.
Pete

 

[5jj]

What is the difference in meaning between the present progressive and 'be going to' in the following sentences? Are they interchangable in these two examples?
You're not wearing that skirt to school!

You're not going to wear that skirt to school!

It depends on the intonation.
However, assuming they are uttered with the same intonation, they have practically the same meaning.

 

[MrPedantic]

I would agree that, with the same intonation, the difference between the two forms would be very slight.

Suppose for instance that the intonation is one of admiring outrage. Perhaps you could say that, in that case, in the version with "going to", the outrage focuses on the intent; whereas in the version without, the outrage focuses on the action as a whole.

Best wishes,

MrP

 

[Barb_D]

As the mother of a teenage daughter (who thankfully is a conservative dresser), my first thought was simply "No, my dear, you are NOT going to wear that to school, or even out of the house." You left "command" out of the list.