Learn English – “I’m going to go to the store” vs “I’m going to the store” to communicate that I am leaving right now

future

When I talk to someone and I want to finish the conversation and say that I am heading out to the store right now, should I use "I'm going to go to the store" or "I'm going to the store". Is there a difference?

What about when I am on the phone? What if I am in chat? Would it be clear to the person (if he can't see what I am doing) that I am leaving now and not on my way already?

Best Answer

"I'm going to go to the store" = I will go to the store in the future; I am not leaving now. It would normally be followed by a time, e.g. "tomorrow".

"I'm going to the store" could be something I am currently doing, about to do, or will do in the future. It's not idiomatic at all for "currently", and it would normally be followed by a time: "now" or "tomorrow" for example.

Idiomatically, if I wanted to tell someone I was currently going to the store, I wouldn't use the verb "to go". So I might say "I'm en route to the store".

Idiomatically, if I wanted to tell someone I was about to leave for the store, I'd say "I'm off to the store."


All this is the highly subjective opinion of a native British English speaker (me). And, to be honest, if I'm talking idiomatic British English I wouldn't use the word "store", I'd talk about a "shop".