Forums » ESL, Rules of English Grammar, Help and Games » ESL General English Grammar Questions » expressing future

expressing future
   Share on Facebook  
Loojka  #499071  Thu, 10 Apr 08 06:59 PM
Hello everyone!
I've got two questions to ask:


1. Are "be going to" and the Present Continuous two completely interchangeable forms when we talk about expressing future plans? Is there any difference between "Henry is having a birthday party on Saturday" and "Henry is going to have a birthday party on Saturday"?

2. What is the question tag for the sentence "I am here..."?  Is there a question tag for this one at all?



Thank you very much! Smile
  
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on Sat, Jul 21 2007
Serbia, Europe
Full Member (147)
I'm the person your mother warned you about :)
,
Cool Breeze  #499081  Thu, 10 Apr 08 07:24 PM
 1. Not necessarily much difference. To be going to do often denotes intention. Not always, though: I think it's going to rain in five minutes. In English one should never say two words are always interchangeable!

2. I am here, aren't I? I am here, am I not?

CB 
  
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006
Helsinki, Finland
Senior Member (2,860)
Proficient SpeakerTrusted Users
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.- Mark Twain
Loojka  #499082  Thu, 10 Apr 08 07:35 PM

Cool Breeze
Not always, though: I think it's going to rain in five minutes.

Yes, it's obvious that we're not going to use the Present Continuous here Smile

Thanks for you answers, CB!
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service