a veros, vero tenses, imperatives
9.9 'Going to' and other ways of expressing the future
9.9A Uses of the 'going to'-future compared with 'will' [> LEG 9.44-46]
There are three basic uses of the 'going to'-future:1 Predictions: We often use going to to predict the future, especially when we can see something
that is about to happen: Look out! She's going to faint. (Not 'will*)
Or we can describe something which we know will take place in the future:
Angus and Margaret are going to be married in May.2 Intentions: We often use going to rather than will in informal style:
I'm going to practice the piano for two hours this evening.
I'm going to be successful one day.3 Planned actions: We use going to like the present progressive or future progressive:
We're going to spend the winter in Australia.
Or: We're spending the winter in Australia. [> 9.2B]
Or: We'll be spending the winter in Australia. [> 9.8A]4 We use will when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking:
We're lost. I'll stop and ask the way. (= I've just decided to do this.)Write: Supply be going to or '// in this dialogue.
Situation: Mr Sims is driving. His wife is sitting beside him.HE: Where (we spend) the night?
SHE: Cardiff. I've booked us in at the Angel Hotel. Why do you ask?
HE: That's another thirty miles away. We (run)г out of petrol
before we get there. I (stop)^3 at the next filling-station.
Halfan hour later.
SHE: This road goes on forever.
HE: We (get)^4 stuck. The car's stopping. We (have to)(^5) walk.
SHE: Come on then., Perhaps someone (give)^6 us a lift.
HE: Not a filling-station in sight and look at those black clouds. It
(rain)^7
SHE: Look! A car's coming. I (wave)^8 to the driver.
HE: Oh good!. He's slowing down. He (stop)^9
9.9B 'am/is/are to', 'be about to', 'be due to' [> LEG 9.47-48]
Study: 1 We use to be to for:
- formal arrangements/duties: OPEC representatives are to meet in Geneva in May.
- formal appointments/instructions: Three tablets are to be taken twice a day.
- prohibitions: You're not to tell him anything about our plans.
2 to be about to refers to the immediate future:
Look! The race is just about to start.3 We often use to be due to to refer to timetables:
The plane is due to land at 2.15.