PLANS, PREDICTIONS, orders, CONCLUSIONS and evidence
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
1. We use TO BE GOING TO talk about our plans and intentions:
- The sports club is going to build a new swimming pool.
- We are going to get a new car soon.
- John says he's going to finish the book this evening.
TO BE GOING TO shows the idea of intention or a decision that has already been made.Look at the first picture:
Why did Mimi start drinking? Does she have a plan?
Look at the second picture:
How does Checkers know we're all gonna die? Is there any evidence to support what he believes?
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
2. To PREDICT the future based on our knowledge or experience or to make a conclusion regarding the immediate future:
- She's going to have a baby. (She is pregnant and we can see that)
- Look at those clouds! It's going to rain.
- He's driving like a maniac. He's going to crash one day.
- The snow is going to ruin my plants. (I know that snow can do this)
- Because of climate change, this area is going to be a desert one day.
- I haven't done any work so I'm going to fail my exam.
- Sorry, I don't feel easy picking up hitch-hikers. How do I know you're not going to rob me?
3. We can use GOING TO with: '...OR NOT' to talk about something that has been planned but which appears not to be happening. The speaker wants to confirm that the action IS GOING TO happen.
- Well, are you going to come with me or not?
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| photo credit Mike Gruhn |
compare:
(1)
- Alex: We've run out of eggs.
- Sam: OK, I'll go to the supermarket and buy some.
SAM HAS MADE A DECISION AT THE MOMENT OF SPEAKING. IT WASN'T HIS PLAN TO GO TO THE SUPERMARKET.(2)
- I've got several things to do before I go on holiday. Tomorrow I'm going to have a haircut and buy some clothes. On Saturday, before I leave, I'm going to put all the pot plants outside so that my neighbour can water them.
SHE HAS MADE A PLAN. SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE'S GOING TO DO BEFORE SHE GOES ON HOLIDAY.
4. commands and refusals - to insist that people do things or do not do things.
- You're going to finish your lunch, young lady!
- She is going to clean the bathroom whether she likes it or not.
- Oh, no, no, no! You're not going to play football in my sitting room!
