Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

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377–407 Modality

BE GOING TO AND THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

362

Be going to 

and the present progressive are commonly used for referring to future

plans, decisions and arrangements. Sometimes either form can be used,

sometimes there are contrasts in meaning between them, and sometimes one form

is preferred. Be going to is more frequent in spoken and informal contexts.

In general, be going to and the present progressive can both be used to refer to

future events when there is greater involvement on the part of the speaker in the

decision-making process:

What 

are you going to drink?

What 

are you drinking?

---

I

’m going to have a drink with Jill after the film. 

I

’m having a drink with Jill after the film.

She

’s not going to borrow my car.

She

’s not borrowing my car.

Karen

’s going to arrive tomorrow. I couldn’t put her off.

Karen

’s arriving tomorrow. I couldn’t put her off.

Be going to 

usually indicates that a decision has been made and that the event will

take place soon, but that all the necessary plans have not yet been made. Be going

to

stresses the subjective view of the speaker:

We

’re going to pave over the front garden when we get round to it, so we can

park off the road. 

I

’m going to ask him to marry me.

The present progressive usually indicates that a decision has been made and that

arrangements are probably in place or have been made:

I

’m starting a new job next week.

(typically means I have agreed terms and a starting date)

I shall actually be leaving earlier than expected. I

’m flying on Friday. 

(I have booked the flight and made all the arrangements)

✪

The present progressive is not used when a prediction is made based on present

evidence:

It’s gone really dark. It

’s going to rain any minute.

(It’s raining any minute.)

[said to a little child who has just received a gift of money]

You

’re going to lose that money if you don’t put it in your pocket.

(You’re losing that money …)

Will 

may be used in such cases (