Present Continuous With Going To
Introduction
The present continuous tense is used to describe an action that is currently happening at the moment of speaking. However, when we want to talk about a future action, we often use the present continuous tense with the phrase "going to." This can be a bit confusing, especially when we compare it to other future tense constructions like the infinitive and gerund. In this article, we will explore the differences between these constructions and provide examples to help you understand when to use each one.
Present Continuous with Going to
The present continuous tense with "going to" is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. This construction is often used to talk about actions that will happen in the near future, such as tomorrow or next week. The basic structure of this construction is:
- I am going to + infinitive (e.g., I am going to run)
- We are going to + infinitive (e.g., We are going to eat)
For example:
- I am going to run a marathon next weekend.
- We are going to visit our friends in Paris next month.
Infinitive vs. Gerund
Before we dive into the differences between the present continuous with "going to" and other future tense constructions, let's quickly review the infinitive and gerund.
- An infinitive is a verb form that ends in "-to" (e.g., to run, to eat).
- A gerund is a verb form that ends in "-ing" (e.g., running, eating).
Now, let's compare the present continuous with "going to" to the infinitive and gerund.
Infinitive
The infinitive is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. The basic structure of the infinitive is:
- I am going to + infinitive (e.g., I am going to run)
- We are going to + infinitive (e.g., We are going to eat)
For example:
- I am going to run a marathon next weekend.
- We are going to visit our friends in Paris next month.
Gerund
The gerund is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon, but it is often used to talk about actions that are more general or habitual. The basic structure of the gerund is:
- I am going to + gerund (e.g., I am going to running)
- We are going to + gerund (e.g., We are going to eating)
For example:
- I am going to running every day this week.
- We are going to eating at a new restaurant tonight.
Do They Mean the Same Thing?
Now that we have reviewed the present continuous with "going to," the infinitive, and the gerund, let's talk about whether they mean the same thing.
In general, the present continuous with "going to" and the infinitive mean the same thing. They are both used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. However, the gerund is often used to talk about actions that are more general or habitual.
For example:
- I am going to run a marathon next weekend. (present continuous with "going to")
- I am going to run every day this week. (gerund)
In this example, the two sentences mean different things. The first sentence means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while the second sentence means that you are planning to run every day this week.
Other Future Tense Constructions
In addition to the present continuous with "going to," the infinitive, and the gerund, there are several other future tense constructions that you can use to talk about future actions.
- Will + infinitive: This construction is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. For example:
- I will run a marathon next weekend.
- We will visit our friends in Paris next month.
- Be going to + infinitive: This construction is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. For example:
- I am going to run a marathon next weekend.
- We are going to visit our friends in Paris next month.
- Present simple: This construction is used to describe a future action that is habitual or general. For example:
- I run every day.
- We eat at a new restaurant every week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the present continuous with "going to" is a useful construction for talking about future actions that are planned or decided upon. However, it's essential to understand the differences between this construction and other future tense constructions like the infinitive and gerund. By using the correct construction, you can express yourself more clearly and accurately in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between "going to" and "will"?
A: "Going to" is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon, while "will" is used to describe a future action that is predicted or expected.
Q: Can I use "going to" with a gerund?
A: Yes, you can use "going to" with a gerund, but it's often used to talk about actions that are more general or habitual.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going running"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going running" means that you are planning to run every day this week.
Q: Can I use "present simple" to talk about future actions?
A: Yes, you can use "present simple" to talk about future actions that are habitual or general.
Q: What is the difference between "I will run" and "I am going to run"?
A: "I will run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, but it's a more formal or polite way of saying it.
Additional Resources
If you want to learn more about the present continuous with "going to" and other future tense constructions, here are some additional resources:
Conclusion
Q&A: Present Continuous with Going to
Q: What is the present continuous with "going to"?
A: The present continuous with "going to" is a construction used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon. It is often used to talk about actions that will happen in the near future, such as tomorrow or next week.
Q: How do I form the present continuous with "going to"?
A: The basic structure of the present continuous with "going to" is:
- I am going to + infinitive (e.g., I am going to run)
- We are going to + infinitive (e.g., We are going to eat)
Q: Can I use "going to" with a gerund?
A: Yes, you can use "going to" with a gerund, but it's often used to talk about actions that are more general or habitual.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going running"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going running" means that you are planning to run every day this week.
Q: Can I use "present simple" to talk about future actions?
A: Yes, you can use "present simple" to talk about future actions that are habitual or general.
Q: What is the difference between "I will run" and "I am going to run"?
A: "I will run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, but it's a more formal or polite way of saying it.
Q: Can I use "going to" with a future perfect tense?
A: No, you cannot use "going to" with a future perfect tense. The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific point in the future.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going to have run"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to have run" means that you are planning to have completed a marathon by next weekend.
Q: Can I use "going to" with a future continuous tense?
A: No, you cannot use "going to" with a future continuous tense. The future continuous tense is used to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going to be running"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to be running" means that you are planning to be running a marathon next weekend.
Q: Can I use "going to" with a future perfect continuous tense?
A: No, you cannot use "going to" with a future perfect continuous tense. The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that will have been in progress for a certain amount of time by a specific point in the future.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going to have been running"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to have been running" means that you are planning to have been running a marathon for a certain amount of time by next weekend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the present continuous with "going to" is a useful construction for talking about future actions that are planned or decided upon. However, it's essential to understand the differences between this construction and other future tense constructions like the infinitive and gerund. By using the correct construction, you can express yourself more clearly and accurately in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between "going to" and "will"?
A: "Going to" is used to describe a future action that is planned or decided upon, while "will" is used to describe a future action that is predicted or expected.
Q: Can I use "going to" with a gerund?
A: Yes, you can use "going to" with a gerund, but it's often used to talk about actions that are more general or habitual.
Q: What is the difference between "I am going to run" and "I am going running"?
A: "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going running" means that you are planning to run every day this week.
Q: Can I use "present simple" to talk about future actions?
A: Yes, you can use "present simple" to talk about future actions that are habitual or general.
Q: What is the difference between "I will run" and "I am going to run"?
A: "I will run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, while "I am going to run" means that you are planning to run a marathon next weekend, but it's a more formal or polite way of saying it.
Additional Resources
If you want to learn more about the present continuous with "going to" and other future tense constructions, here are some additional resources:
Conclusion
In conclusion, the present continuous with "going to" is a useful construction for talking about future actions that are planned or decided upon. However, it's essential to understand the differences between this construction and other future tense constructions like the infinitive and gerund. By using the correct construction, you can express yourself more clearly and accurately in English.