[Grammar] will or going to?

[nado92]

3-She .......................when she graduates
a) will get married
b) is going to get married
c) is getting married

I may prefer is going to'

What about you?

 

[emsr2d2]

3-She .......................when she graduates
a) will get married
b) is going to get married
c) is getting married

I may prefer is going to'

What about you?

This type of question has been appearing in a lot of threads recently and I still stick to my answer that generally "will" and "going to" are interchangeable. I think both a) and b) make sense.

 

[billmcd]

Agree w/emsr2d2, and use of present continuous/progressive for future (example "c") is OK if you state time frame e.g. "when she graduates", "tomorrow", "next week" etc.

 

[ratóncolorao]

This type of question has been appearing in a lot of threads recently and I still stick to my answer that generally "will" and "going to" are interchangeable. I think both a) and b) make sense.

What happens when we are obliged to choose one in an exercice?
Sometimes it is really tricky. Context is not usually given, one never knows if the girl has decided it right now, while speaking with a friend; or if she has deeply thought of it beforehand.


How to decide it rightly in a text?


Thank you

 

[ratóncolorao]

Agree w/emsr2d2, and use of present continuous/progressive for future (example "c") is OK if you state time frame e.g. "when she graduates", "tomorrow", "next week" etc.

C ? is it not just a mere plan? nothing set yet.

Again, lack of context.

 

[billmcd]

Yes. Context is important in many of these posts and without it the best you can do here or in an exercise is to infer the meaning.

 

[MASM]

C ? is it not just a mere plan? nothing set yet.

Again, lack of context.

You'd use "going to" to express future intentions or plans. "Will" is used in immediate decisions or promises. It's not clear in this sentence, but taking into account what I've just written I'd choose "going to" if I had to.

 

[ratóncolorao]

You'd use "going to" to express future intentions or plans. "Will" is used in immediate decisions or promises. It's not clear in this sentence, but taking into account what I've just written I'd choose "going to" if I had to.

I agree with you.
First, emsr2d2 said a) and b) were interchangeable. Right. Look up at my first post. It could be a possibility.
Afterwards, billmcd suggested c) which really struck me - second post.
:shock:

 

[MASM]

Yes, that's because present continuous can express future arrangements too.

To me, "She is getting married" is fine (the marriage is arranged), yet the second part of the sentence sounds strange "when she graduates" with the present continuous..I'd use "She's getting married next year" maybe.

 

[Abstract Idea]

----- I am not an ESL teacher anymore -----

I can see this is a controversial question.
I agree any of the three answers could be correct.

But I would like to register that if I were to choose only one, I would choose C.
I don't know why but that is the one which sounds most natural to me.

 

[MASM]

----- I am not an ESL teacher anymore -----

I can see this is a controversial question.
I agree any of the three answers could be correct.

But I would like to register that if I were to choose only one, I would choose C.
I don't know why but that is the one which sounds most natural to me.

What do you mean by "anymore"? that you were an ESL teacher but now you're not?. By the way, you're becoming an expert on ellipsis :-D

 

[Abstract Idea]

What do you mean by "anymore"? that you were an ESL teacher but now you're not?. By the way, you're becoming an expert on ellipsis :-D

Thanks MASM! That is due to the UsingEnglish members help. Studying together we advance further.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I've taught ESL for about two years.

 

[ratóncolorao]

----- I am not an ESL teacher anymore -----

I can see this is a controversial question.
I agree any of the three answers could be correct.

But I would like to register that if I were to choose only one, I would choose C.
I don't know why but that is the one which sounds most natural to me.

Lack of context
Nothing makes me think that there has been anything arranged at all.
:-D ;-)

 

[Abstract Idea]

----- I am not an ESL teacher anymore -----

I can see this is a controversial question.
I agree any of the three answers could be correct.

But I would like to register that if I were to choose only one, I would choose C.
I don't know why but that is the one which sounds most natural to me.

Lack of context
Nothing makes me think that there has been anything arranged at all.
:-D ;-)

OK ratóncolorao, no problem.
As I said, I just would like to register my opinion.
Up to now, option C is the one which sounds more natural to me.

But, as you can see, I am neither a native speaker nor an ESL teacher anymore, so maybe it is not so wise to consider it.

 

[MASM]

In fact, ratóncolorao, the third option is the one that implies that an arrangement has been made. (it's just that it doesn't sound completely OK with "when she graduates" to me)
"going to" implies intention.

 

[MASM]

Thanks MASM! That is due to the UsingEnglish members help. Studying together we advance further.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I've taught ESL for about two years.

Yes, that's true, I'm learning a lot thanks to these posts.
It's a pity that you think your opinions must not be considered because you've stopped giving lessons (if it's your profession or vocation, you should still consider yourself an ESL teacher)

 

[Abstract Idea]

Take a look at the following post from another thread:

Last night I was reading a Simpsons comic book and in one of the stories (book has) bart did something stupid (like walking naked downtown). Lisa was very upset and said
"Bart, I am telling mom" or "I am telling mom, Bart"

While I was reading the post above, I remembered this thread and decided to post something more:

3-She .......................when she graduates
a) will get married
b) is going to get married
c) is getting married

I don't think this is a good question for an English test. As I've already said, in my opinion any option could be correct. Other posters as well agreed that any option could do.

But try to think about college students casually chatting or another similar casual scene. The present continuous is easily used in such cases meaning future. It may be not logical but that is the way people speak. Option C seems to be the most natural to me.