will, going to, etc.

[Nightmare85]

Hello,
Years ago I learned when to use all the Future tenses.
However, I'm not an expert...
I will try to write 3 examples:

I will dance at the party tonight.
I'm going to dance at the party tonight.
I'm dancing at the party tonight.

1. It's not very sure if I dance at the party tonight.
2. It's pretty sure.
3. Only death could prevent me from dancing tonight ;-)

Okay, but there are plenty of things that I don't understand.
Why do some guys say: "I promise I will..." when it's not sure at all?
When someone asks me: "Why did you not dance at the party? You promised it!" would I just say: "No, I only said -I will-" ?

I cannot really see when to use the specific tenses.
When would you use them?
Can you give me 3 examples when you would use them?

I think I can at least see a clear difference between will and the other 2.
I guess I will leave.
I think I will stay here.
It's not sure if I will be there tonight.
I heard he will come next week.
I will try to read this book.

I'm sure only will fits here.
I could not make the same for going to and -ing, because both seem identical to me.

I hope this has not become too complex or confusing :-?

Cheers!

 

[sarat_106]

Hello,
Years ago I learned when to use all the Future tenses.
However, I'm not an expert...
I will try to write 3 examples:

I will dance at the party tonight.
I'm going to dance at the party tonight.
I'm dancing at the party tonight.

1. It's not very sure if I dance at the party tonight. No, it is an instant decision.

2. It's pretty sure.
3. Only death could prevent me from dancing tonight ;-)

Okay, but there are plenty of things that I don't understand.
Why do some guys say: "I promise I will..." when it's not sure at all?
When someone asks me: "Why did you not dance at the party? You promised it!" would I just say: "No, I only said -I will-" ?

I cannot really see when to use the specific tenses.
When would you use them?
Can you give me 3 examples when you would use them?

I think I can at least see a clear difference between will and the other 2.
I guess I will leave. (Instant decisions)
I think I will stay here. (Instant decisions)
It's not sure if I will be there tonight. (Certain prediction)
I heard he will come next week.(certain possibility)
I will try to read this book. (a promise)
I'm sure only will fits here. Yes, the reasons are indicated in braclets)
I could not make the same for going to and -ing, because both seem identical to me.

I hope this has not become too complex or confusing :-?

Cheers!

I differ in the sense that 'will' always indicates future certainity while 'would' is used to express future possibility.

 

[Raymott]

I will dance at the party tonight.
I'm going to dance at the party tonight.
I'm dancing at the party tonight.

In general, these all mean the same thing. There is no spectrum of certainty as they are commonly used. To do that you'd need adverbials.
I will definitely dance at the party tonight.
I'm definitely going to dance at the party tonight.
I'm definitely dancing at the party tonight.
These also have the same certainty value as each other.

Okay, but there are plenty of things that I don't understand.
Why do some guys say: "I promise I will..." when it's not sure at all?
Because some people are psychopaths?

When someone asks me: "Why did you not dance at the party? You promised it!" would I just say: "No, I only said -I will-" ?
No, you couldn't get out of it that way. If you promised, you should have done it. A promise is a promise. If you had broken your leg, that would be an acceptable excuse.

I cannot really see when to use the specific tenses.
When would you use them?
Can you give me 3 examples when you would use them?
In most cases, they're interchangeable.

I think I can at least see a clear difference between will and the other 2.
I guess I will leave.
I think I will stay here.
It's not sure if I will be there tonight.
I heard he will come next week.
I will try to read this book.

I'm sure only will fits here.
No.
'I'm going to try to read this book' is normal. Same with the others, more or less.

R.