Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[dido4]

Hi there,

1.What are the differences between these two?

2.Or they are expressed the same thing?("am going to" refers to plan to do something in the future; "will" refers to want to do something in the future)

3. How to tell these two?

I am going to study abroad.

I will study abroad.

Thank you.

[lotus]

Hi dido4,

You are right. They are both basically the same. However, there is a subtle difference in certainty.

"I am going to study abroad."
This is like a wish or a projection to study abroad in the future.

context:
I've been here in this University for three years. Next year, I'm going to study abroad.


"I will study abroad."
This is more like a determined self-mandate to study abroad.

context:
Because I want to learn a foreign language within a cultural context, I will study abroad next year.


--lotus