word choice - "I am going to bed" vs. "I will be going to bed"


What is the difference between saying the following?



I am going to bed in a few minutes.


I will be going to bed in a few minutes.



Or



I will be getting off here. Or, I guess, I will be getting off here. See you.


I am getting off here. Or, I guess, I am getting off here. See you.



Which one seems more fluent and natural?



Answer



Both are fluent and natural, but they have different meanings.


I am... means that not only have you made the decision to go to bed imminently or get off the bus, but you are actively doing that — finishing off a drink or TV programme, or moving towards the bus doors.


I will be... means that you have made the decision to go to bed or get off the bus soon but you haven't actually done anything about it yet.


The import of each sentence is implicit in the tense used. I am is present tense and you are actually in the process of doing the action; I will be is future tense and although you know you will be doing something, you haven't started yet.


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