Not only do we use "will" to talk about the future, we also use the
present continuous. We use the present continuous to talk about
things we have already
arranged to do.
"What are you doing on Friday night?"
"I'm going to a concert."
"Are you working on Tuesday?"
"No, I'm having a day off."
And we have yet another way to talk about the future: the going to future (be going + infinitive). We use the going to future to talk about things that we have already decided to do but haven't arranged yet.
"We've decided to go on holiday to Scotland this year. We're going to hire a car and spend most of the time at the West Coast."
"Are you going to visit any distilleries?"
"Only two or three."
The going to future is also used to predict what's going to happen based on what you can see or what you know (present evidence).
"Look at those dark clouds! I think it's going to rain."
"Now that Ballack's injured, it's not going to be easy for Germany.
Now try the exercise on the next page.
Dagmar Taylor
Business Minimax 2 English for Business Writing / Negotiating / Telephoning
COMMENTS
Is it possible to say: "I'm going to be 24 in two months"? or is "I'll be 24" better?
Hello Canja
Yes, you can say "I'm going to be 24 in two months." And you can also say "I'll be 24 in two months." Will is used to state absolute certainties about the future, however there are contrasts in formality between will and going to. Will is more formal and going to less formal.
Hope that helped.
Dagmar
Wonderful Informationen, ich liebe diese Seite halten, die gute Arbeit!
;
Hello Karen
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Dagmar