will / going to

[Dany]

Hello everyone,

would you please explain me, why I have to use "going to" in the following sentences?

What (you do) ____ with all the money you have?
[size=+1]are you going to do[/size]



I've decided to study law. Really? Which school (you attend) ____?
[size=+1]are you going to attend[/size]


Thanks in advance,
Dany :-D

 

[blacknomi]

I would like to think this way, "be going to" means "plan to"

I am going to spend the money as much as possible; the sky's limit.
I plan to

 

[Francois]

It can mean that you plan to do something, as blacknomi said, or that it will happen for sure. Eg.
You're going to hurt yourself if you go on playing with that knife.

FRC

 

[Dany]

I don't understand this, in this sentence.

going to = plan to (o.k.)

Example:
I ask you: What will you do with all the money you have?

I don't know, what you have planned to do with it, and I also don't know if you have already a plan what you will do with it.

Your answer could be:
1.) I am going to drive on holiday next month.
2.) I will spend it for poor, ill children in Africa (That could be a statement on the spur of the moment, so you have to use "will").

Do you know what I mean?

Kind regards,
Dany

 

[Steven D]

Hello everyone,

would you please explain me, why I have to use "going to" in the following sentences?

What (you do) ____ with all the money you have?
[size=+1]are you going to do[/size]



I've decided to study law. Really? Which school (you attend) ____?
[size=+1]are you going to attend[/size]


Thanks in advance,
Dany :-D

You don't have to. It depends on the context and the viewpoint of the speaker as to whether or not "be going to" or "will" is used.

What are you going to do with all the money you have? - The speaker has reason to believe that the listener already has plans for the money. The speaker is trying to find out the listener's real intentions and plans for the money assuming, of course, that he/she really has "intentions and plans" for the money.

What will you do with all the money you have? - The speaker thinks the listener might not have actual plans for the money. Therefore, the speaker uses "will". The answer given would be more of a prediction or some type of spontaneous idea . "What do you think you'll do with the money?" "Oh, I think I'll.........., and I'll probably........ "

I've decided to study law. Really? Which school are you going to attend? -

The speaker believes that the listener has already chosen a school. If this is the case, then "be going to" or the future progressive would be typical, appropriate, correct and usual choices here.

I'm going to attend ____________ .

I'll be attending ______________ .


I've decided to study law. Really? Which school will you attend?

I think making a choice about law school is something that someone would be certain about. Therefore, I say use "be going to".

While using "will" indicates certainty, it still doesn't indicate a plan.

The modal "will" is used with "think" and "probably" often.

If the speaker uses "will" here, I would expect the question to be, "Which school do you think you'll attend?"

answer: I'll probably go to _________________ .

I think "be going to" is the best choice here because the speaker wants to know what the listener's actual intentions and plans are. He doesn't want to know what the listener "thinks he'll do". The speaker, in such a context as this, could assume that the listener has made a decision. If the listener has made a decision, then "be going to" is correct. Also, the future progressive is correct.

The speaker could also use "will" even if he/she has a plan in order to express determination and volition. The speaker might even be expressing insistence.

I've decided that I will attend __________________ .

The speaker could be making an announcement by using "will" also. With an announcement the speaker would already have a plan. In the context of an announcement "will" is appropriate even though the speaker has already decided and made a plan.

So, generally speaking "be going to" is used for a plan. However, depending on the speaker's viewpoint, "will" is also possible.

I hope this is clear.

:-D :shock:

 

[Dany]

Thank you very much. Now I understand it :angel:

:-D

 

[Steven D]

That's great!


:-D

 

[Steven D]

Additionally, I think it would be good idea to observe the use of "will" in this post.

The speaker, Red5, obviously has a plan for the forum. However, Red5 is using "will" instead of "be going to" because he is making an announcement. Also, "will" is used because the speaker, Red5, feels certain about what is to take place - 100% certain prediction.

Take a look at the sentences with "will". Which sentences might be certain predictions and which sentences might be announcements for plans? What do you think?

:?: :shock:



https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8001

 

[blacknomi]

I've decided to study law. Really? Which school will you attend?

I think making a choice about law school is something that someone would be certain about. Therefore, I say use "be going to".

While using "will" indicates certainty, it still doesn't indicate a plan.

The modal "will" is used with "think" and "probably" often.

Hello, X Mode, :-D

Thanks for the detailed reply. I read over your last two sentences twice, and here's how I would think.

EX:I think I'll choose Boston. (possibility)
EX:I'll probably choose Boston. (possibility)
EX:I'll choose Boston. (certainty)


In this case, I wouldn't think that "will" indicates certainty because of the verb "I think" and the adverb "probably." Certainty applies when those hesitating words are left out in the context. But we always have to depend on the context to make a word choice.


EX:Well (with a rising tone), I'll just stay at home. (certainty)
EX:Well (with a robot tone), I'll just stay at home. (no hesitating words, but the robot tone implies 'maybe' or 'maybe not')




Best Regards,
Blacknomi

 

[blacknomi]

Re: X mode

Take a look at the sentences with "will". Which sentences might be certain predictions and which sentences might be announcements for plans? What do you think?
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8001

We have recently purchased brand new forum software which will provide everyone here with a large number of new features and tools, and hopefully a more reliable and professional forum.

Announcements. ( But could be predictions as well.)

So that there will(1) be minimal disruption, everyone will(2) be able to log in as usual with their current member names and passwords, and all old messages and discussions will(3) have been imported into the new system.

1. Could be either one, predictions or announcements. Minimal disruption is unpredictable and who knows if the sofrware has its own mind.
2. Announcements
3. Announcements

TDOL and I will keep you all up to date with our progress when there is more news to report.

I hope it's not a prediction. <ggggggggggggggggg>


:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


Best Regards,
Blacknomi

 

[Dany]

Re: X mode

Announcements. ( But could be predictions as well.)


1. Could be either one, predictions or announcements. Minimal disruption is unpredictable and who knows if the sofrware has its own mind.
2. Announcements
3. Announcements


I hope it's not a prediction. <ggggggggggggggggg>


:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


Best Regards,
Blacknomi

I am agree with you, Blacknomi. Sometimes both were possible.
I would rather use "will" when both are possible ;-)

Thanks all for your help,
Dany :-D

 

[Steven D]

Hello, X Mode, :-D

Thanks for the detailed reply. I read over your last two sentences twice, and here's how I would think.

EX:I think I'll choose Boston. (possibility)
EX:I'll probably choose Boston. (possibility)
EX:I'll choose Boston. (certainty)


In this case, I wouldn't think that "will" indicates certainty because of the verb "I think" and the adverb "probably." Certainty applies when those hesitating words are left out in the context. But we always have to depend on the context to make a word choice.


EX:Well (with a rising tone), I'll just stay at home. (certainty)
EX:Well (with a robot tone), I'll just stay at home. (no hesitating words, but the robot tone implies 'maybe' or 'maybe not')




Best Regards,
Blacknomi

I agree.


I'll choose Boston. - This could be an announcement or a spontaneous decision. It depends.

I think I might expect to hear something like this anway:

I've decided on Boston. I've chosen Boston. - announcement

I'll go with Boston. - spontaneous or seemingly spontaneous decision

 

[Steven D]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Red5
So that there will(1) be minimal disruption, everyone will(2) be able to log in as usual with their current member names and passwords, and all old messages and discussions will(3) have been imported into the new system.


1. Could be either one, predictions or announcements. Minimal disruption is unpredictable and who knows if the sofrware has its own mind.
2. Announcements
3. Announcements

Yes, but I would just add one more thing.

Number 2 and 3 could be thought of as certain predictions as well. (100% I guess - if we think we can quantify it)

 

[blacknomi]

Re: X mode

I am agree with you, Blacknomi. Sometimes both were possible.
I would rather use "will" when both are possible ;-)

Hi, Dany :-D

I'm not glad that you :shock: are agree :shock: with me.
I agree with you that both are possible depending on the contexts we have.


You're welcome.


Best Regards,
Blacknomi

 

[Dany]

Re: X mode

Hi, Dany :-D

I'm not glad that you :shock: are agree :shock: with me.
I agree with you that both are possible depending on the contexts we have.


You're welcome.


Best Regards,
Blacknomi

Why can't I say are agree. Is this never used, or does it mean something else? I'm so sorry

 

[blacknomi]

Nooooooooooooooo.


Hi, Dany,:angel:

No need to say sorry. Please take back your words. I was joking with you.


Because "agree" is a verb, so it's not proper to joint a verb and a BE-verb without changing its form.


I am agree. (Not Ok)
I am agreeing. (Ok grammatically, but I've never heard of it.)
I am dance. (Not OK)
I am dancing. ( Sounds good, and I love it!)



All the best,
Blacknomi :-D

 

[Dany]

Nooooooooooooooo.


Hi, Dany,:angel:

No need to say sorry. Please take back your words. I was joking with you.


Because "agree" is a verb, so it's not proper to joint a verb and a BE-verb without changing its form.


I am agree. (Not Ok)
I am agreeing. (Ok grammatically, but I've never heard of it.)
I am dance. (Not OK)
I am dancing. ( Sounds good, and I love it!)



All the best,
Blacknomi :-D

Oh, I understand
You are right. "I'm agreeing" I have also never heard. That's why I have not chosen the word. But I was sure, that I have to use "am". There are some differents, when I translate from the German to the English. In German I have to use "bin" (= am), without it, it doesn't take :lol:

Kind regards,
Dany :-D

 

[Casiopea]

Re: X mode

Why can't I say are agree. Is this never used, or does it mean something else? I'm so sorry

You are agree. (Not OK; too many verbs)

'are' is a verb and 'agree' is a verb, and there can be only one main verb per sentence, so delete 'are'.

I agree. (OK)
You agree (OK)
I am in agreement with you. (OK)
I agree with you. (OK)

I'm agreeing with you. (OK, but it is said as you are speaking; that is, there can't be a gap in time. It has to be said as you are speaking, so as to show a progressive/continuous action at the time of speaking).;-)

 

[blacknomi]

Re: X mode

I'm agreeing with you. (OK, but it is said as you are speaking; that is, there can't be a gap in time. It has to be said as you are speaking, so as to show a progressive/continuous action at the time of speaking).;-)

:crazyeye:
I've never thought that you have progressive agreeing in real life. When is the last time you said "I'm agreeing with you?" There's also no gap in time when I say "I agree with you."



Yours,
Blacknomi :-D

 

[Steven D]

Re: X mode

:crazyeye:
I've never thought that you have progressive agreeing in real life. When is the last time you said "I'm agreeing with you?" There's also no gap in time when I say "I agree with you."



Yours,
Blacknomi :-D

To me, if someone said, "I'm agreeing with you." it would be to emphasize agreement.

Y - What do you mean that's not right?!?!

Z - Hey, take it easy. You misunderstood what I said. I'm agreeing with you.

I'm agreeing with you. - At this moment in particular, I agree with you, and I really want to let you know that.

I think it would be more usual to say, "I agree with you." The progressive form would be used for emphasis.

Maybe taking a look at some of the Google examples will help you understand why someone would say, "I'm agreeing with you."

Do you have that thing set on Google that makes it so that you can highlight the words you searched for at a site? Do you know what I mean? You can find words easier that way.