I was playing an ESL Future Tenses Review Game when I came across the following question: You and your friend are reading. It’s getting dark and you decide to turn on the light. You stand up and walk towards the light switch. A: What are you doing? B: __________________ I’ll turn on the light. I’m … Read more
I’ve been looking at the difference in sentences that express future events: those using “BE going to ɪɴꜰɪɴɪᴛɪᴠᴇ” versus those using “BE ᴠᴇʀʙ-ing” (sometimes called the present continuous or present progressive). If I understand correctly, the difference is: The BE going to ɪɴꜰɪɴɪᴛɪᴠᴇ form is used for future plans (or events) that are certain: I … Read more
In this short viral video on Youtube, Kamala Harris says: We did it. We did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United States. Could she use “will” instead of “are going to”? Answer We did it. We did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United … Read more
Here is an example from Murphy’s grammar textbook: You are in a restaurant. You and your friend are looking at the menu. Maybe your friend has decided what to have. You ask her/him. You: What …? The correct answer is "What are you going to have?" My question is: the decision is being made at … Read more
I heard a phone conversation between a person wishing to buy theater tickets and a sales agent like the following: “I want to buy two tickets for tonight’s show.” “Certainly. I’ll need your credit card information.” I believe just to say “I need your credit card information” makes perfect sense. What are the purposes/effects of … Read more
Could anyone answer this then explain correctly? Choose : Be careful, you ….. your hand with that knife . will cut / are going to cut /are cutting Answer If the knife-wielder is actually in the process of cutting into her hand and somehow hasn’t noticed, then: Be careful, you are cutting your hand! is … Read more
When we see dark clouds, because of the situation now, we must say: It’s going to rain. Not It will rain. Or when we see somebody is going toward the wall and can’t see the wall in front of him, because of the situation now, we must say: He is going to walk into the … Read more
There is no need to ___ with insurance. I am not going to ___ to comment on what you told me. I am sorry to ___ you at this time of night. I will tell Joe not to ___ about being there then. Please, I want to choose one of the following to complete each … Read more
Shall I find out for you? Shall I open the door for you? Shall I pull these curtains back now? Please, I want to choose one of the following for each question. a) Do you want that I b) Shall I c) Will I d) Would you like that I Answer (a) and (d) are … Read more
First of all, I have read the answers about “gonna have to” usage, and they are quite clear: I am gonna have to vs I have to and why-prefix-a-request-with-im-going-to-have-to-ask-you The answers say that the extra words work as a politeness device. OK. But I have heard gonna have to only from American English speakers, so … Read more
