Micro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdf
Unit 3a English File Preintermediate
1. Possible answers Rima She’s going to look for a job (maybe as an au pair). She’s going to improve her English. She’s going to stay for six months or a year. She’s going to stay with a friend. Jonathan He’s going to see his father. He’s going to go to his father’s birthday party. He’s going to stay for a month. He’s going to see all his family and friends.
2. Where are you staying in London? We’re staying at the Hyde Park Hotel. What are you planning to do? Tomorrow we’re doing a tour of London. In the evening we’re seeing a show. On Tuesday we’re going to Oxford and Cambridge. On Wednesday we’re flying to Edinburgh. When are you leaving? We’re going to Paris next.
3. Going to has two main uses: plans ( I’m going to stay for six months ) and predictions ( It’s going to be a big surprise for him ). We use be going to for personal plans (which we decided to do in the past). We make negatives with: subject + ‘m not//aren’t/isn’t + going to + infinitive + ... . We make questions with: question word + am/is/are + subject + going to + infinitive + ... . We don’t usually use going to in short answers: Yes, she is. NOT Yes, she’s going to.
4. With the verb go , we usually say I’m going to Italy . However, I’m going to go to Italy is also correct. Another way to talk about the future is use the Present Continuous . I’m doing something tomorrow = I have already decided and arranged to do it. What are you doing on Saturday evening? NOT What do you do? I’m going to the theatre. NOT I go. What time is Cathy arriving tomorrow? Half past ten. I’m meeting her at the station.
5. I’m not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere. Ian isn’t playing football next Saturday. He’s hurt his leg. I’m going to (do) is also possible in these sentences: What are you going to do on Saturday evening? But the present continuous is more natural for arrangements.
6. Going to but NOT the present continuous is used for predictions: I’m sure you’re going to find a job.
7. I am doing and I am going to do We use I am doing (present continuous) when we say what we have arranged to do –for example, arranged to meet somebody, arranged to go somewhere: What time are you meeting Ann this evening? I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ve got my plane ticket. I am going to do something = I’ve decided to do it (but perhaps not arranged to do it): ‘ Your shoes are dirty.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to clean them.’ (I’ve decided to clean them, but I haven’t arranged to clean them)
8. I’ve decided not to stay here any longer. Tomorrow I’m going to look for somewhere else to stay. Often the difference is very small and either form is possible.
