"What am I going to do?"

[Sindry]

Many people say that "be going to" is used to refer to a planned or previously considered decision and that "will" is used to refer to a spontaneous decision.

In the sentence "What am I going to do?", "be going to" is used even though one obviously is not thinking about a plan, and is supposedly in a situation in which they are forced to make a spontaneous decision. Why is this?

i've read most of the "will vs be going to" threads by the way.

 

[Copyright]

Many people say that "be going to" is used to refer to a planned or previously considered decision and that "will" is used to refer to a spontaneous decision.

Here's a thought: listen to people less, visit here more.

I am going to build a children's park.
I will build a children's park.

Virtually the same meaning for me, without any additional context.

In the sentence "What am I going to do?", "be going to" is used even though one obviously is not thinking about a plan, and is supposedly in a situation in which they are forced to make a spontaneous decision. Why is this?

i've read most of the "will vs be going to" threads by the way.

"What am I going to do?" in the context of frustration, fear or confusion, is a set expression of concern in which the speaker/writer sees no easy solution. You might like to look at this previous thread:
What should I do? vs What am I going to do?

 

[Sindry]

Here's a thought: listen to people less, visit here more.

I am going to build a children's park.
I will build a children's park.

Virtually the same meaning for me, without any additional context.

Well, actually, I know that the difference between "will" and "be going to" is not only whether the action involved is planned or not.
One thinks about both the present and future when using "be going to" while he only thinks about the future when using "will".
That's what I think is the difference between "be going to" and "will".

"What am I going to do?" in the context of frustration, fear or confusion, is a set expression of concern in which the speaker/writer sees no easy solution. You might like to look at this previous thread:
What should I do? vs What am I going to do?

So, the focus of the speaker's attention is on the "current situation". Maybe that's why "be going to" is used in the sentence?
If you say "What will I do?"(though this one gives you the impression that it is not used as often as "What am I going to do?") instead, does that make any difference?

 

[EStjarn]

I think it's necessary to look not only for possible differences in meaning, but also in register. To me, What will I do? is more formal and literary than What am I going to do? I doubt you'd hear the former much in informal conversation.