Grammar
Another way of expressing a future action is the construction "to be going to + infinitive". It is mainly found with dynamic verbs; it is characterized by the following additional modal meanings:
a) premeditated intention (see the illustrative example below):
1. Father and son are watching the stars.
Father: I wonder if they’re what we think they are? Stars! Stars like this! People think we know about them. I wonder if we do. I wonder if we can. I wonder if we they are what we think they are.
Son: Let’s find out. I’m going to find out.
Father: Well.
Son: I’m going to find out all about them.
Father: Perhaps you will. A lot of people have tried, you know. Sir Isaac Newton – and Sir Robert Ball – and Sir William Herschell -- …
- When To Use Past Perfect Tense
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Past Perfect (When to Use) In this page we examine the Past Perfect Tense in a detail: what it actually means and how it is used. Some illustrative extracts from English literature are given below. Past Perfect expresses...
- Present Perfect – When To Use
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Present Perfect (When to Use) Present Perfect Tense Explanation and Illustrative Examples from Classics Present Perfect is used to express an accomplished action (both, a single action and an action or state of some...
- To Be Going To + Infinitive
Contents → To Be Going to + Infinitive To Be Going To + Infinitive form for a future action I am He is She is It is We are You are They are going to do something. We often use the present form am/are/is/ going to + infinitive to talk about the future....
- Using Future Indefinite Tense Through Dialogues
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Future Indefinite This page shows different ways of using the Future Indefinite Tense (or Simple Future) through dialogues from English literature. The Future Indefinite expresses an action that will take place...
- Using Past Indefinite Through Dialogues
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Past Indefinite This page shows different ways of using the Past Indefinite (or Simple Past) through dialogues from English literature. I The Past Indefinite is used to express a single action completed...
Grammar
Going To Usage and Illustrative Examples
- Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Going to Usage
Another way of expressing a future action is the construction "to be going to + infinitive". It is mainly found with dynamic verbs; it is characterized by the following additional modal meanings:
a) premeditated intention (see the illustrative example below):
1. Father and son are watching the stars.
Father: I wonder if they’re what we think they are? Stars! Stars like this! People think we know about them. I wonder if we do. I wonder if we can. I wonder if we they are what we think they are.
Son: Let’s find out. I’m going to find out.
Father: Well.
Son: I’m going to find out all about them.
Father: Perhaps you will. A lot of people have tried, you know. Sir Isaac Newton – and Sir Robert Ball – and Sir William Herschell -- …
(G. P. Snow. The Search)
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- When To Use Past Perfect Tense
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Past Perfect (When to Use) In this page we examine the Past Perfect Tense in a detail: what it actually means and how it is used. Some illustrative extracts from English literature are given below. Past Perfect expresses...
- Present Perfect – When To Use
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Present Perfect (When to Use) Present Perfect Tense Explanation and Illustrative Examples from Classics Present Perfect is used to express an accomplished action (both, a single action and an action or state of some...
- To Be Going To + Infinitive
Contents → To Be Going to + Infinitive To Be Going To + Infinitive form for a future action I am He is She is It is We are You are They are going to do something. We often use the present form am/are/is/ going to + infinitive to talk about the future....
- Using Future Indefinite Tense Through Dialogues
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Future Indefinite This page shows different ways of using the Future Indefinite Tense (or Simple Future) through dialogues from English literature. The Future Indefinite expresses an action that will take place...
- Using Past Indefinite Through Dialogues
Contents → Grammar in Dialogues → Using Past Indefinite This page shows different ways of using the Past Indefinite (or Simple Past) through dialogues from English literature. I The Past Indefinite is used to express a single action completed...