I know you will/going to

[Peter Thompson]

Hi! I would like to ask a question.
The context :
If watching movie is a prior plan made before the moment of speaking, which one to say ?
1. I know you will watch a movie at the cinema.
2. I know you are going to watch a movie at the cinema.


Many Thanks 🙏

 

[Keith Bradford]

1. I know you will watch a movie at the cinema.
2. I know you are going to watch a movie at the cinema.

No.1 sounds really strange, as if you're saying "You've told me you're going to the cinema to get your shoes mended, but I've guessed your real motive!"

 

[Peter Thompson]

1. I know you will watch a movie at the cinema.
2. I know you are going to watch a movie at the cinema.

No.1 sounds really strange, as if you're saying "You've told me you're going to the cinema to get your shoes mended, but I've guessed your real motive!"

Thank you! But how about this :
I knew you would do X
I knew you would say X

People use "would" even if it was planned and I have no idea why "were going to" is not used in that kind of sentence.
Could you explain ?

 

[se16teddy]

1. I know you will watch a movie at the cinema.

This sounds to me like an assurance that you shan’t die without having this experience. It that what you meant?

We very often use “going to” in conversational English of imminent, proximate futures. In conversational English, predictive “will” therefore sometimes makes it sound like the specified future is remote.

2. I know you are going to watch a movie at the cinema.

This sounds rather odd to me as well.
- Why is the speaker’s knowldge (“I know”) relevant? Is the speaker accusing the interlocutor of lying about where he/she is going?
- I am not very sure whether “going” is here used in a literal “movement” sense or in a “futurity” sense.
- If “going” is meant in a “proximate futurity” sense, what is the nature of the “proximity”? Is it (as in 1) fulfilment of a long-held dream to go to the cinema one day?

 

[Keith Bradford]

... I have no idea why "were going to" is not used in that kind of sentence.
Could you explain ?

Well, there's nothing to explain because "were going to" is used in that kind of sentence. There's usually more than one way to say a thing, you know? Each speaker has their own style.