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going and going to

Posted by nunzia · March 5, 2007 · 3 replies

What is the difference between I am going out tonight and I am going to go out tonight. When do we use going and when do we use going to? I know both can be used as future, but what is the difference?
Thanks.

3 Replies

Hi Nunzia

Have a look at this thread for a good explanation: http://www.eslhq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3489

Keith

Hi Nunzia,

the first sentence is present continuous and the second sentence is a future form. However, since the present continuous CAN also be used for the future, both are correct:

I am going out tonight
I am going to go out tonight. (here 'going' means 'planning')

Since we could use both, it would be more natural to use the first one because it's less repetitive.