future time

1. If you are going to take a trip tomorrow, what will you do now?

2. If you are going to take a trip tomorrow, what are you going to do now?

3. If you will take a trip tomorrow, what will you do now?

4. If you will take a trip tomorrow, what are you going to do now?

5. If you take a trip tomorrow, what will you do now?

6. If you take a trip tomorrow, what are you going to do now?

7. If you are taking a trip tomorrow, what will you do now?

8. If you are taking a trip tomorrow, what are you going to do now?

9. If you will be taking a trip tomorrow, what will you do now?

4. If you are going to be taking a trip tomorrow, what are you going to do now?

Which of the above sentences are semantically odd or unacceptable?

Thank you very much for your reply.

1. I don't feel at all well: I think I am going to faint.

2. I don't feel at all well: I think I will faint.

3. I don't think it's going to rain this afternoon.

4. I don't think it will rain this afternoon.

5. I think Diana is going to pass the exam.

6. I think Diana will pass the exam.

7. I borrowed the money because I am going to buy a new car next week.

8. I borrowed the money because I will buy a new car next week.

Which of the above sentences are not acceptable?

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Teo wrote:

1. I don't feel at all well: I think I am going to faint. 2. I don't feel at all well: I think I will faint. 7. I borrowed the money because I am going to buy a new car next week. 8. I borrowed the money because I will buy a new car next week. Which of the above sentences are not acceptable? Thanks a lot for your reply.

Sentences #1, 2, 7, & 8 are taken from Ways to Grammar [British English].

According to the author, #2 & 8 are not appropriate.

I know that be going to and will are sometimes interchangeable.

But there seem to be more differences between them in British English than in American English.

By the way, are you (MM) a native speaker of American English?

Teo wrote:

Teo wrote: 1. I don't feel at all well: I think I am going to faint. 2. I don't feel at all well: I think I will faint. 7. I borrowed the money because I am going to buy a new car next week. 8. I borrowed the money because I will buy a new car next week. Which of the above sentences are not acceptable? Thanks a lot for your reply. Sentences #1, 2, 7, & 8 are taken from Ways to Grammar [British English]. According to the author, #2 & 8 are not appropriate.

Hello Teo

#2 is quite plausible, in certain contexts; and the progressive version of #8 is fine, as is a version with a stative verb:

2a. I don't feel at all well; I think I'll faint, if I don't get some air.

8a. I borrowed the money because I'll be buying a new car next week.

8b. I borrowed the money because I'll be 17 next week, and I want to buy a new car.

MrP