I will miss you vs I'm going to miss you (2025)

H

Hiden

Banned

japanese

  • Jul 14, 2017
  • #1

Can you tell me the difference in nuance between (a) and (b)?:

(a) I will miss you.
(b) I'm going to miss you.

  • Florentia52

    Modwoman in the attic

    Wisconsin

    English - United States

    • Jul 14, 2017
    • #2

    Please give us some context, Hiden. As you probably know, the sentences mean the same thing, but without context, it's difficult to determine the difference in nuance.

    H

    Hiden

    Banned

    japanese

    • Jul 14, 2017
    • #3

    (a): If you leave, I will miss you.

    (b): Because you're leaving, I'm going to miss you.

    I understand that "I will miss you" is preferred in a conditional sentence and that, on the other hand, "I'm going to miss you" is preferred when it is self-evident that I will miss you. Correct me if I’m wrong.

    Last edited:

    se16teddy

    Senior Member

    London but from Yorkshire

    English - England

    • Jul 14, 2017
    • #4

    Different people use these in different ways.

    I feel that going to often adds a sense of informality, immediacy or emotional involvement. Will might suggest a more emotionally detached prediction - perhaps resignation rather than anguish - and might be less usual here.

    H

    Hiden

    Banned

    japanese

    • Jul 14, 2017
    • #5

    Thank you for your answer, se16teddy. You've been helpful!

    zaffy

    Senior Member

    Polish

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #6

    While saying goodbye to someone leaving say for a few months, can I use all three with the same meaning?

    -I will miss you while you are away
    -I will be missing you while you are away
    -I am going to miss you while you are away

    DonnyB

    Moderator Emeritus

    Coventry, UK

    English UK Southern Standard English

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #7

    zaffy said:

    While saying goodbye to someone leaving say for a few months, can I use all three with the same meaning?

    -I will miss you while you are away
    -I will be missing you while you are away
    -I am going to miss you while you are away

    To me, (1) and (3) are both fine there, but I wouldn't use (2) with the future continuous tense.

    se16teddy

    Senior Member

    London but from Yorkshire

    English - England

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #8

    I agree that the second option does not work. There is a tricky distinction to be made here: I think that the continuous aspect does not work here because the purpose of “while you are away” is to specify a time period, and not to indicate another action happening at the same time.

    zaffy

    Senior Member

    Polish

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #9

    se16teddy said:

    I agree that the second option does not work. There is a tricky distinction to be made here: I think that the continuous aspect does not work here because the purpose of “while you are away” is to specify a time period, and not to indicate another action happening at the same time.

    1. So the Future Continuous requires another action happening at the same time?

    2. If students are going on a sports camp, can they ask the teacher 'What will we be doing at the camp'? or rather 'What will we do?'

    3. Puff Daddy sings "I'll be missing you". So do you find it incorrect or it works in a different context? What context?

    se16teddy

    Senior Member

    London but from Yorkshire

    English - England

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #10

    The continuous aspect can be used to refer a future action that has already been planned and agreed
    What are we doing at the camp? I will miss you vs I'm going to miss you (8)
    What will we be doing at the camp? I will miss you vs I'm going to miss you (9)
    Maybe “will” adds a nuance of uncertainty, probability.

    Puff Daddy might be thinking of another action happening at the same time or it might just be to fit the rhythm, to sound unusual and striking, etc.

    zaffy

    Senior Member

    Polish

    • Mar 3, 2019
    • #11

    So does this sound natural as we have another action happening at the same time?

    -When you are mowing the lawn, I will be cooking dinner.

    se16teddy

    Senior Member

    London but from Yorkshire

    English - England

    • Mar 5, 2019
    • #12

    It sounds natural if in the context there is sufficient nexus between the two actions.

    You complain that I never do any work around the house. But while you are mowing the lawn I will be cooking dinner.
    This means that I do household work as well as you.

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