Exploring Grammar in Context Kiwan Sung Kyung Hee University

Part A Tenses in Context Unit 4 Will or Be going to Part A Tenses in Context

Will or Be going to (Frame of time reference) Present (Near) Future Will/Be going to

Will (future Reference) To refer to the process of making a decision Ex) I will come to your place since you are tied up. To make a general predication Ex) It will rain tomorrow and I bet you on this!!

Be going to (future Reference) To inform about a plan Ex) I am going to report on your tardiness to the boss. To link a prediction to the present Ex) I have run too much this morning. I am going to feel exhausted after lunch for sure.

Will vs. Be going to Will-room for opinions Be going to-no choice allowed Ex) I am going to drive. (already decided and no choice for the listener) I will drive. (general statement, room for negotiation) Can be used in a conditional sentence which describes a specific and limited context Ex) If you walk quickly, it is as good as running. If you feel tired, you are going too fast.

Be going to Reminding Ex) A: Let’s go on a picnic this afternoon. B: What? We’re going to go shopping. You promised yesterday. Arranging (may sound you are deciding for others, thus look “bossy or insensitive” Ex) A: What do you want to do tonight? B: We are going to clean the living room. A: Well, you might be, I’m not!

Will/Be going to with Conditional ‘Will’ is used when the actions are strongly dependent or inter-related with each other. Ex) I will mower the lawn, if it doesn’t rain tomorrow. ‘Be going to’ is used when the action in the main clause is already decided Ex) You are going to see the doctor even though you do not want to!