A reader has sent in this query.
“What is the difference in meaning between the three sentences:
i) I will present a paper at a conference next week.
ii) I am presenting a paper at a conference next week
iii) I am going to present a paper at a conference next week.”
All the three sentences refer to future-time actions though the first sentence is in the future simple, the second sentence is in the present progressive and the third sentence is in the “be+going to+verb” form. There are several ways of expressing the future as in the examples below:
- The CM is meeting the PM tomorrow.
- The CM is going to meet the PM tomorrow.
- The CM meets the PM tomorrow.
- The CM will meet the PM tomorrow.
- The CM will be meeting the PM tomorrow.
- The CM is to meet the PM tomorrow.
In the examples above, though all the sentences refer to a future-time action, the meaning is not the same.
The future simple (will+verb) form is used to express future intentions that are decided at the time of speaking. Example: i) Don’t worry. I’ll give you money to buy the books. The be+going to+verb form is used to express a future intention that has been decided though not fully planned. Example: I am going to give you money to buy the books. If the emphasis is on the idea of decision but without arrangements, we use the form be+going to+verb and if the emphasis is on the idea of intention, decision and arrangements, then the present continuous form is used. Look at these examples:
- John is going to marry soon. (indicates intention and decision but not arrangement)
- John is getting married next month. (indicates intention, decision and arrangement)
In the first example above, the focus is on intention whereas in the second example, the focus is on decision or arrangement. To talk about such future actions that are beyond our control, based on
the present evidence, we can use the form “be+going to+verb”. Here are examples:
- It is getting dark. I think it is going to rain.
- The price of crude oil is going to fall in the international market.
The meanings of the sentences ‘It is raining’ and ‘It is going to rain’ are entirely different.
Dr Albert P’Rayan is an ELT Resource Person and Professor of English. He can be contacted at rayanal@yahoo.co.uk