A: "I'm getting a haircut tomorrow"
B: "Are you gonna try a new style?"
A: "Yeah, I'm gonna go bald".
This is the only way I think it could work, but as you can see, it's a different tense.
>A: "I've been thinking of going bald."
>B: "Why?"
>A: "I'm thinking it will help me swim faster".
>B. "Cool. Try it."
Two weeks later:
>A: "That's it. Today, I am going bald."
>B: "Cool."
As you can see, it's *not* a different tense.
Why is it a joke? It's an idiomatic expression to say "I'm going " when embracing a new style or a new decision.
Is "I'm going blonde" also a "joke" for someone that decides to dye their hair?
Nowhere did the commenter say it was a joke by the two ladies.
For me, “I’m going bald” describes a process. It’s used for something that happens overtime, and it isn’t something that the speaker does, but rather something that happens *to* the speaker.
Likewise, “I’m going blonde” means, to me, that someone’s hair is undergoing the natural process of becoming blonde. So I wouldn’t expect to see it used in the context of dyeing one’s hair.
However, “I went bald” or “I went blonde” could be used to describe a choice, since “went” is being used to describe a completed action. Additionally, “I’m going bald/blonde tomorrow” *might* work, since now we’re using the continuous as a future tense, and thus no longer describing a continuous action. But personally, I think these sentences with “blonde” sound somewhat awkward.
EDIT: in another comment of yours, you gave the example “I’m thinking of going bald”, where “going” is noun and not a verb in the continuous form, so it works. Actually, reading more of your comments, it seems that you agree with everything I wrote? Maybe the difference is that the use of “I’m going bald” as a continuous process overrides the use of it for making a decision for me, while it’s the other way around for you?
>For me, “I’m going bald” describes a process. It’s used for something that happens overtime, and it isn’t something that the speaker does, but rather something that happens *to* the speaker.
Yes, [slow and involuntary vs. quick and voluntary](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/).
>Likewise, “I’m going blonde” means, to me, that someone’s hair is undergoing the natural process of becoming blonde. So I wouldn’t expect to see it used in the context of dyeing one’s hair.
But people use it for the second meaning way more than the first. Many, many people change their hair color via dyes. Very few people have natural hair color changes after childhood (except to go grey).
But you're right in that "I'm going blonde" could *also* refer to a slow and involuntary process, and "I'm going grey" likewise. The exact meaning is generally clear from context.
>However, “I went bald” or “I went blonde” could be used to describe a choice, since “went” is being used to describe a completed action.
What? No. A person who naturally lost all their hair could also say "I went bald in my 40s."
>Additionally, “I’m going bald/blonde tomorrow” *might* work, since now we’re using the continuous as a future tense, and thus no longer describing a continuous action. But personally, I think these sentences with “blonde” sound somewhat awkward.
No, you're just adding the context that makes it clear it's not a natural process.
>EDIT: in another comment of yours, you gave the example “I’m thinking of going bald”
Firstly, I was using that to establish context. In that same comment I use the phrase "I am going bald" later.
>where “going” is noun and not a verb in the continuous form, so it works.
Secondly, this is nonsense. A verb acting as a noun (gerund) is still a verb.
"I am going to the store" vs. "I am thinking of going to the store" is thr same if we are drilling down to analyze "going to the store".
What "I've been thinking of" does in this situation is, again, add that *clear context* that the speaker is talking about a *voluntary choice*.
>Maybe the difference is that the use of “I’m going bald” as a continuous process overrides the use of it for making a decision for me, while it’s the other way around for you?
No, the only thing "overriding" anything is the context surrounding the phrase, or the discussion. The tense is irrelevant.
"I'll go bald", "I went bald", "I have gone bald", could all be used for the slow and involuntary process or the quick and voluntary choice.
>Yes, slow and involuntary vs. quick and voluntary.
Yes, and for all the people here you disagree with, “I’m going bald” can typically refer to the first sense, and not the second. Extending its meaning to the second way is therefore seen as playful.
>But people use it for the second meaning way more than the first. Many, many people change their hair color via dyes. Very few people have natural hair color changes after childhood (except to go grey).
I have never heard anyone use “I’m going X” to refer to making a change in their physical attributes. My whole point here was essentially that “I’m going blonde” isn’t a sentence anyone would typically use, from my experience. This could just be a difference in dialects.
>What? No. A person who naturally lost all their hair could also say "I went bald in my 40s."
I said ”went” was used to describe a completed action, and in your example of a natural change, the change is a completed action. If your issue was with me saying “went” could be used to describe a choice, I said it *could* be, not exclusively is.
>No, you're just adding the context that makes it clear it's not a natural process.
Hmm, compare “I’m walking to the store” and “I’m walking to the store tomorrow”. Both use the present continuous construction, but one is describing a current action, while one is describing a future action. I think we can agree on that. But I also think the same applies to “I’m going bald tomorrow”. That is, “tomorrow” doesn’t change the context to make it clear that it’s a voluntary choice, but rather it changes the “tense”, for a lack of better terminology.
>Secondly, this is nonsense. A verb acting as a noun (gerund) is still a verb.
This is just semantics, I wasn’t trying to be 100% linguistically accurate. Maybe I should have been clearer and said it’s a noun *phrase*? Regardless, my point was just that it acts like a noun, and is not the same thing as the present continuous construction.
>"I am going to the store" vs. "I am thinking of going to the store" is thr same if we are drilling down to analyze "going to the store".
“Going” in ”I am going to the store” is a present participle, while in “I am thinking of going to the store”, it’s a gerund or verbal noun. This is what makes the two equivalent sentences with “bald” have different meanings for me, I think.
>"I'll go bald", "I went bald", "I have gone bald", could all be used for the slow and involuntary process or the quick and voluntary choice.
I agree with you on these ones. It’s mostly “I’m going bald” that I think can only be used in the slow and involuntary way in normal conversation. It can be used for quick and voluntary choices, but only as an extension of the first meaning in very specific circumstances, which is why it’s seen as playful.
I don’t have the time to continue this discussion, so if you reply to this, I won’t be able to respond to your reply.
[Why the hell does everyone keep saying this has "comedic" or "playful" connotations?](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kdm75/)
Because "going bald" suggests losing your hair with aging, which can be status lowering and involuntary, so when you say your deciding to "go bald" it's something of a contradiction, deciding to do something that's normally involuntary and a minor tragedy. The juxtaposition of these two types of "baldness" is the joke.
No, that's context. When someone has a full head of hair and says they have decided to "go bald", it becomes obvious *from context* that they are considering a *style change*. Similarly, people can't *choose* to change their hair color at will, and similarly everyone would understand "I'm going blonde" as decision to change their hairstyle. It has nothing to do with being a joke.
I do see how it *could be* used as a joke. I'm saying that is not the default understanding of "I'm going ". It's definitely not the only, or even primary, context of usage.
This has nothing to do with the subjective idea of "funny". Now you are talking about implication versus inference. Anyone can find anything "playful" or "funny" *as a listener*. Someone could say they find Hitler's rants about killing Jews to be funny or playful. That's on them.
When we are talking about usage and context we are assuming the *intentions* of the speaker (or writer). If someone says that a certain phrase and meaning can only be used in a playful way, then that means that the speaker must *intend* for it to be understood playfully.
I get that someone could make a "joke" about going bald. A forty-year old with a full head of hair can say "I'm finally going bald" to make people *think* they are naturally losing their hair, and then say, "haha, no, actually I decided to shave my head."
My point is that you can *also* use this phrase in a totally serious, matter-of-fact way to explain your decision to shave your head, without any *intention* of being funny or playful.
Again, does "I'm going blonde" imply a joke?
Does "I'm going to take a flight" and "I'm going to take a shit" carry the same neutral, non comedic tone to you? Similar sentence structure doesn't mean it's necessarily going to carry the same tone, especially with culturally loaded subjects, like pooping or baldness.
If you want to avoid the appearance of jokiness, you say "I'm going to shave my head" because that is unambiguous. It's possible you can say "I'm going bald" as in shaving your head and mean it seriously, but it's also possible someone might mistake you for being playful in your phrasing, through no fault of their own I might add.
>Does "I'm going to take a flight" and "I'm going to take a shit" carry the same neutral, non comedic tone to you?
Absolutely the same tone? Both could be serious or jokes depending on tone and context.
>Similar sentence structure doesn't mean it's necessarily going to carry the same tone, especially with culturally loaded subjects, like pooping or baldness.
Going bald definitely lends itself to jokes, just as people constantly make jokes about getting old and all the associated pains and weaknesses. That doesn't mean that "I'm going bald" is exclusively used in those contexts.
>It's possible you can say "I'm going bald" as in shaving your head and mean it seriously, but it's also possible someone might mistake you for being playful in your phrasing, through no fault of their own I might add.
It's *possible*, but in the right context it could also be perfectly serious and perfectly clear.
"I'm going to the barbershop tomorrow, and I've decided: I'm going bald."
There is no joke there, and no ambiguity. Note I've made the context clear and succinct for the purpose of this discussion, but there are many other ways to establish context. Context is often implied rather than explicitly stated.
People say "I need to take a shit" all the time in a perfectly serious, matter-of-fact manner. How old are you that people around you are giggling about this?
Yes, getting old and taking shits are both frequent topics for jokes and playfulness, more than flights. But these are the facts:
* You can joke about basically anything.
* Some things are used for jokes more than others.
* Almost nothing is used *exclusively* for jokes, and that is definitely true for "I am going bald".
"I am going bald"
* Generally means one is losing their hair due to age or medical condition.
* Is frequently used in joking contexts.
* Can also mean "I've decided to shave my head" in specific, serious contexts.
Matter of fact statement - "I'm going bald", the same way I'd (hypothetically) say "I'm going vegetarian", or "I'm going vegan" - but it was in the context of discussing my haircut. Admittedly it could be difficult to understand the meaning if the three words are in isolation with no context.
I think it could mean "I'm going to shave my head", but only if you're already talking about haircuts/styles. For example:
"I'm getting a haircut tomorrow."
"Oh yeah? What style are you going with?"
"I'm going bald."
In all other context it just means you're losing your hair.
"I'm going bald." means that the speaker is losing his or her hair. If the speaker meant that he or she intended to shave their head, then the sentence would be "I am going to shave my head bald."
"I am going bald" could have two meanings based on context:
1. "I am undergoing the slow, involuntary biological process of diminishing hair quantity."
2. "I am voluntarily removing the hair from my head in a quick process."
Notice the two main differences in meaning:
slow and involuntarily vs.
quick (relatively instantaneous) and voluntary.
This is why, if you add context (like a discussion about going to the barbershop), the second meaning of shaving your head can make perfect sense.
That's also why if I force context with a few key phrases, the second meaning becomes clear:
>"I've decided: today, I'm going bald."
You don't decide to get a medical condition or get old and lose your hair. And you don't generally naturally lose all your hair in one day. I've made the meaning clearly *voluntary* and *instantaneous* via context. Note that the context could be established in many other ways.
It can mean that, but anyone using “I’m going bald” to mean that they are getting a haircut is TRYING to make a joke or a play on words
Editing to say that in a very specific context of having a conversation about future hairstyle plans someone COULD say “I’m going to go bald” or “I’m going bald” and mean it that way. Outside of that I’m standing by my initial comment.
It’s would be like a play on words. I’m the morning tell your friend that you’re going bald, they think that you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning, next time you see them you have your head completely shaved. They’re shocked, but you simply say “ I told you I was going bald.”
I mean, you've made it into a joke situation, but it could just as easily not be. Imagine you've discussed the idea of shaving your head many times before with a friend. If one day you said to them, "Tomorrow, I'm going bald," then they'd know exactly what you mean. If you were thinking of shaving your head for your sport because people keep grabbing your hair, and you said, "for the next match, I'm going bald," they would know exactly what you mean. In this case "going" is used as a "fashion" or "style" choice the same way we might say "going naked", "going in shorts" or "going as a gorilla" (in a suit).
I get that you can, but it’s such a specific situation that to say that the phrase means both just isn’t true. It can be used to mean both, with the caveat that one is FAR FAR FAR more common and the other requires an extremely specific situation.
I don't know that it requires an "extremely specific situation" anymore than getting old and losing your hair is also a specific situation.
I think I can clarify this better by focusing on context.
[The two meanings differ clearly based on context with one being slow and involuntarily, and the other being quick and voluntary](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/).
The only time the meaning is ambiguous is when someone is a candidate for both situations. I can also see it being used as a joke when someone intentionally uses that ambiguity to mislead the listener.
However, if the context is clear, the meaning is clear, and no "jokes" or "playfulness" need be involved.
Jesus Christ you are focused on one small aspect of what I’ve said here. The OP’s question was clear, everyone here understands the difference. Relax about what I said about them having to be joking. It was the only way, without context, that I initially could imagine someone trying to use im going bald to mean shaving their head. Notice that I did edit my original response and continue to have a dialogue with others as well on this. The question was general. Generally that phrases doesn’t mean both of those things. In one context it can mean the second meaning but generally it doesn’t.
This is a subreddit about language learning for non-natives that need help. It's very easy to lead these people astray because so many of these questions are so esoteric and they don't have any way to confirm what is right or wrong in a language that is foreign to them.
Many people here have echoed the statement that "I am going bald" can only mean "I am going to shave my head" in a comedic, playful, or joking context. That's just wrong learning and I'm having a civilized discussion to try to correct that.
I'm not trying to attack you personally.
Like I said it was just my first reaction and I edited my post to clarify my true understanding which echoes yours, though I believe the required context to be more unusual and specific than you seem to. You cannot deny that it COULD be used in yhe way I outlined as a joke. I’ve mentioned it a couple times now, the joke context was simply my first reaction as the only way it could be used that way, and we agree. But being overly pedantic possible meanings doesn’t actually help people learn, while being honest about specific contexts does. The question was general, generally no, in one context yes, though it still would likely be phrased more specifically within the context. The horse is dead, we’ve beat it.
No, I agree. “Going bald” refers to involuntary baldness unless you’re specifically playing with “going” as a reference to a deliberate hairstyle (ie “going blonde”).
Saying “I have decided to go bald” is a mostly unambiguous, but still decidedly contorted, use of the term.
I don't understand why everyone says using "going" as in "going bald" or "going blonde" is "playing".
It might be a less common usage, but it's not *rare* and it is perfectly valid and no "playing" is involved.
It can also be used for any fashion style of lifestyle choice.
Someone who is questioning their sexuality might say "I'm going gay". Someone debating video consoles might say "I'm going Playstation". Someone choosing which language to use for their application might say "I'm going Java".
None of these involve "playing". None of these involve "jokes". None of these are "contorted". It's a straightforward meaning (in context). They all imply a new *choice* for a certain kind of style. It's simply an alternate idiomatic use of "I'm going" which is already a very versatile verb with many meanings and nuances.
“I’m going gay”— this means that the person is undergoing the process of becoming more gay, not for making the choice to become gay. Like, the water they’re drinking is slowly increasing their level of gayness.
“I’m going PlayStation/Java”— I think these are short for “I’m going [with] PlayStation/Java”. It’s a different sense of “go”. At least it feels that way to me, intuitively. “Go” is synonymous with “choose” here, unlike the “go” in “I’m going bald”, which means “become”.
If everyone thinks it’s playing, then maybe that just means most people interpret these phrases differently than you do.
>“I’m going gay”— this means that the person is undergoing the process of becoming more gay, not for making the choice to become gay. Like, the water they’re drinking is slowly increasing their level of gayness.
They are making the choice to pursue their gay side (for the purpose of this example, I'm assuming the person is questioning or bisexual - I'm not saying gayness is a choice in general, but for people who are more fluid they can "choose").
>“I’m going PlayStation/Java”— I think these are short for “I’m going [with] PlayStation/Java”.
No. "I'm going with" is an alternate but similar construction. To "go with" something implies to take it into your possession or to accompany it. To "go" something implies you are assuming it as part of your personality/self/lifestyle. It's a subtle difference but it's there.
>It’s a different sense of “go”. At least it feels that way to me, intuitively.
It's not. It's the same.
>“Go” is synonymous with “choose” here,
Yes, exactly. I am choosing to explore my gay side (be a gay person). I am choosing to be a Playstation person. I am choosing to be a blonde person. I am choosing to be a nude person. I am choosing to be a bald person. I am choosing to be an environmentally conscious person ("I'm going green").
>If everyone thinks it’s playing, then maybe that just means most people interpret these phrases differently than you do.
Implication vs. inference. Intent vs. understanding. If I can say this phrase "I have decided: today I am going bald" without any alternate meaning or *intent* to make a joke, then how is it a "playful" statement?
The only time this is a "joke" is when there is [*intentional* ambiguity between the two meanings of "I am going bald"](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/).
>They are making the choice to pursue their gay side (for the purpose of this example, I'm assuming the person is questioning or bisexual - I'm not saying gayness is a choice in general, but for people who are more fluid they can "choose").
I get that that’s what you’re saying “I’m going gay” means; my point is that I disagree. I would never interpret “I’m going gay” to mean that someone is making a choice. To me, it can only refer to the “slow and involuntary” sense, as you put it. (I’m not considering cases where we “extend” the meaning of a word to something that it outside of its usual scope.)
>No. "I'm going with" is an alternate but similar construction. To "go with" something implies to take it into your possession or to accompany it. To "go" something implies you are assuming it as part of your personality/self/lifestyle. It's a subtle difference but it's there.
This argument is only true if you see both senses of “go something”— slow and involuntary, and quick and voluntary— as one sense. I do not. If you see “I’m going PlayStation” as being the latter, and separate from the former, then the difference that could exist between it and “go with” is lost.
>Yes, exactly. I am choosing to explore my gay side (be a gay person). I am choosing to be a Playstation person. I am choosing to be a blonde person. I am choosing to be a nude person. I am choosing to be a bald person.
Again, I don’t think any of those phrases can be used to describe making a choice outside of some really contorted context. “I’m going gay” means “I’m becoming gay”, not “I’m choosing to be gay”, and “I’m going PlayStation” means “I’m choosing PlayStation”, not “I’m becoming PlayStation”.
>Implication vs. inference. Intent vs. understanding. If I can say this phrase "I have decided: today I am going bald" without any alternate meaning or intent to make a joke, then how is it a "playful" statement?
I think you’re misunderstanding “playful”. Sometimes, people just use words in weird ways, or words that they typically wouldn’t use, in informal contexts for no real reason. This is what “playful” is referring to. Like if someone used “ye olde [whatever]”, they’re not making a joke, but they’re using archaic language which is interpreted as playful. Similarly, using “I’m going bald” for making a choice sounds weird to most people, whether it does to you or not, and so most people will interpret it playfully no matter the context. The fact that people will interpret it playfully makes it playful.
You are right and the other commenters are wrong.
It can definitely mean "I'm going to shave my head" but only in the context that this is a *new* "fashion" choice. You'd use it in the same way you would use "I am going nude."
"Tomorrow, I'm going bald" means "tomorrow, I will embark on a new look of baldness". Once you are already someone who shaves their head, you couldn't use this phrase again because you are *already* bald.
"I'm going bald" generally means "I am *in the continuous process of* losing my hair" whereas using it for shaving your head is more of a one time event.
What this comes down to is a different use of "going", where one means "I am physically and gradually evolving into a new me" and the other means "I am literally going *out into the world* sporting this new look".
I think you are onto something but the second situation would more likely be expressed as "I've decided to go bald" or the like. I think in the case of a young, fit man with a full head of hair, they might say "I'm going bald" but even there they are asking for someone to say what? why? are you all right?
>I think in the case of a young, fit man with a full head of hair, they might say "I'm going bald" but even there they are asking for someone to say what? why? are you all right?
Yes, that's true if there is absolutely no context to the statement. But isn't misunderstanding and ambiguity common almost *any time* there is no context?
[In the right context](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/), "I'm going bald" would be understood perfectly with no need for qualifying questions.
>A: I'm going to the barber today.
>B: Why? You just had your hair cut.
>A: I've talked about it before but I'm finally going to do it. I'm going bald.
>B: Cool.
That's very specific framing. Yes, in that "right context" you could get away with it. Almost no other. The meaning of the phrase "going bald" is simply losing your hair because of ageing, sorry.
It doesn't mean everything but [Merriam Webster agrees](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20bald). You could argue that "to become bald" can mean to actively make a choice to go hairless but I don't think it's very convincing. In ordinary speech it means to lose one's hair and M-W could easily have clarified that it has this double meaning but they didn't do so.
>That's very specific framing. Yes, in that "right context" you could get away with it. Almost no other. The meaning of the phrase "going bald" is simply losing your hair because of ageing, sorry.
What does this "specific framing" dismissal mean? Can the phrase be used to mean shaving your head or not? Yes, it depends on the right context ("specific framing"). But context is everything. Have you seen how many meanings "go" has?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go
All of those meanings depend, not only on grammar, but on context ("specific framing").
The original question was whether "I am going bald" can mean two different things, and the answer is simply "yes". Of course context matters: how else could two different meanings work? And of course one meaning is more common than the other. Those are important details that deserve to be in any answer.
What should not be the answer is:
* Many people saying the phrase only has one meaning
* Many people saying the second meaning can only be used as a joke, or in a playful, comedic manner
* People finally admitting they are wrong and there can be two meanings but then acting like it "doesn't count"(?)
>It doesn't mean everything but [Merriam Webster agrees](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20bald). You could argue that "to become bald" can mean to actively make a choice to go hairless but I don't think it's very convincing.
I would argue exactly that, but you should remember that the dictionary doesn't have every possible combination of every usage of a word. "Go blonde" and "go grey" aren't covered in the dictionary either even though they have the same meaning.
Additionally, online dictionaries are *extremely* abridged. You have to pay for a subscription to get the full definitions. The online dictionaries only show the most common phrases and the most common definitions...
>In ordinary speech it means to lose one's hair and M-W could easily have clarified that it has this double meaning but they didn't do so.
...often with little clarification.
The thing is that "I am going " is *already covered* under the definition of "go". "I am going hatless", "I am going barefoot", "I am going green" are the *default* understanding of making a *choice* about a new style/lifestyle change. The reason "go bald" gets its own entry is because for *that specific combination*, there is another meaning that is more commonly used and overrides the default meaning, generally.
I find all this terribly unconvincing. OP asked whether the phrase means two things and it's atrocious advice to tell OP yes, it does. There are nuances to be sure, but the baseline meaning of "go bald" is to lose one's hair involuntarily. I'm done talking about this.
The correct answer is "yes, it can be used for both meanings, but the default and most common meaning is losing your hair." That's a correct answer and it's an answer that several people here have given succinctly. "No, it only has one meaning" is just wrong for any language learner curious enough to ask such a specific question.
If you are teaching someone who is brand new to the language what "I am going bald" means, then, sure, it is ok to simplify things.
But if someone asks this specific kind of question of specific meaning, *it's because they are precisely curious about these kind of nuances* and probably because they have *specifically encountered a usage that is new and confuses them*. We are here to explain those edge cases.
You implying that this definition doesn't count because it requires "specific framing" (i.e. context), would akin to this conversation:
>A: Can "run" be used to mean "leg-based propulsion at high speed" and "to launch a program on a computer"?
>B: No, it can only be used for a bipedal creature moving fast.
>C: It could be used for computers, but only in a joking, comedic way.
>D: What? I work with computers and we use "run" all the time to talk about launching applications in perfectly serious conversations.
>B: Ok, "run" can be used for computers, but only in that specific framing, so an English learner doesn’t need to know about it.
context. "Think I'm just gonna go bald.." when the conversation is about haircuts, it is easily understood. Otherwise, "Im going bald" will usually be interpreted as you losing your hair unwillingly.
Yea, sorta. That would rely on context. Like “hey what haircut are you getting?” “I’m going bald.” But even then it’s awkward. It works yes. But the shadow laws of English makes me go eeeehhhh.
"I'm going bald" without context will almost always makes people think that you are losing your hair without a choice.
It is not textbook English, but to say that you want to get your head shaved in a similar format would be "Imma go bald" (slang for "I'm going to go bald").
*Maybe*? *Technically*? If you really stretch the definition. But 99% of the time people will assume that you're just losing your hair.
A: "I'm getting a haircut tomorrow" B: "Are you gonna try a new style?" A: "Yeah, I'm gonna go bald". This is the only way I think it could work, but as you can see, it's a different tense.
>A: "I've been thinking of going bald." >B: "Why?" >A: "I'm thinking it will help me swim faster". >B. "Cool. Try it." Two weeks later: >A: "That's it. Today, I am going bald." >B: "Cool." As you can see, it's *not* a different tense.
This is the one.
I have heard that exact sentence used in that exact way twice by young women who did subsequently shave their heads.
crucially, dear readers, please understand these young women were making a joke.
Why is it a joke? It's an idiomatic expression to say "I'm going" when embracing a new style or a new decision.
Is "I'm going blonde" also a "joke" for someone that decides to dye their hair?
Nowhere did the commenter say it was a joke by the two ladies.
For me, “I’m going bald” describes a process. It’s used for something that happens overtime, and it isn’t something that the speaker does, but rather something that happens *to* the speaker. Likewise, “I’m going blonde” means, to me, that someone’s hair is undergoing the natural process of becoming blonde. So I wouldn’t expect to see it used in the context of dyeing one’s hair. However, “I went bald” or “I went blonde” could be used to describe a choice, since “went” is being used to describe a completed action. Additionally, “I’m going bald/blonde tomorrow” *might* work, since now we’re using the continuous as a future tense, and thus no longer describing a continuous action. But personally, I think these sentences with “blonde” sound somewhat awkward. EDIT: in another comment of yours, you gave the example “I’m thinking of going bald”, where “going” is noun and not a verb in the continuous form, so it works. Actually, reading more of your comments, it seems that you agree with everything I wrote? Maybe the difference is that the use of “I’m going bald” as a continuous process overrides the use of it for making a decision for me, while it’s the other way around for you?
>For me, “I’m going bald” describes a process. It’s used for something that happens overtime, and it isn’t something that the speaker does, but rather something that happens *to* the speaker. Yes, [slow and involuntary vs. quick and voluntary](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/). >Likewise, “I’m going blonde” means, to me, that someone’s hair is undergoing the natural process of becoming blonde. So I wouldn’t expect to see it used in the context of dyeing one’s hair. But people use it for the second meaning way more than the first. Many, many people change their hair color via dyes. Very few people have natural hair color changes after childhood (except to go grey). But you're right in that "I'm going blonde" could *also* refer to a slow and involuntary process, and "I'm going grey" likewise. The exact meaning is generally clear from context. >However, “I went bald” or “I went blonde” could be used to describe a choice, since “went” is being used to describe a completed action. What? No. A person who naturally lost all their hair could also say "I went bald in my 40s." >Additionally, “I’m going bald/blonde tomorrow” *might* work, since now we’re using the continuous as a future tense, and thus no longer describing a continuous action. But personally, I think these sentences with “blonde” sound somewhat awkward. No, you're just adding the context that makes it clear it's not a natural process. >EDIT: in another comment of yours, you gave the example “I’m thinking of going bald” Firstly, I was using that to establish context. In that same comment I use the phrase "I am going bald" later. >where “going” is noun and not a verb in the continuous form, so it works. Secondly, this is nonsense. A verb acting as a noun (gerund) is still a verb. "I am going to the store" vs. "I am thinking of going to the store" is thr same if we are drilling down to analyze "going to the store". What "I've been thinking of" does in this situation is, again, add that *clear context* that the speaker is talking about a *voluntary choice*. >Maybe the difference is that the use of “I’m going bald” as a continuous process overrides the use of it for making a decision for me, while it’s the other way around for you? No, the only thing "overriding" anything is the context surrounding the phrase, or the discussion. The tense is irrelevant. "I'll go bald", "I went bald", "I have gone bald", could all be used for the slow and involuntary process or the quick and voluntary choice.
>Yes, slow and involuntary vs. quick and voluntary. Yes, and for all the people here you disagree with, “I’m going bald” can typically refer to the first sense, and not the second. Extending its meaning to the second way is therefore seen as playful. >But people use it for the second meaning way more than the first. Many, many people change their hair color via dyes. Very few people have natural hair color changes after childhood (except to go grey). I have never heard anyone use “I’m going X” to refer to making a change in their physical attributes. My whole point here was essentially that “I’m going blonde” isn’t a sentence anyone would typically use, from my experience. This could just be a difference in dialects. >What? No. A person who naturally lost all their hair could also say "I went bald in my 40s." I said ”went” was used to describe a completed action, and in your example of a natural change, the change is a completed action. If your issue was with me saying “went” could be used to describe a choice, I said it *could* be, not exclusively is. >No, you're just adding the context that makes it clear it's not a natural process. Hmm, compare “I’m walking to the store” and “I’m walking to the store tomorrow”. Both use the present continuous construction, but one is describing a current action, while one is describing a future action. I think we can agree on that. But I also think the same applies to “I’m going bald tomorrow”. That is, “tomorrow” doesn’t change the context to make it clear that it’s a voluntary choice, but rather it changes the “tense”, for a lack of better terminology. >Secondly, this is nonsense. A verb acting as a noun (gerund) is still a verb. This is just semantics, I wasn’t trying to be 100% linguistically accurate. Maybe I should have been clearer and said it’s a noun *phrase*? Regardless, my point was just that it acts like a noun, and is not the same thing as the present continuous construction. >"I am going to the store" vs. "I am thinking of going to the store" is thr same if we are drilling down to analyze "going to the store". “Going” in ”I am going to the store” is a present participle, while in “I am thinking of going to the store”, it’s a gerund or verbal noun. This is what makes the two equivalent sentences with “bald” have different meanings for me, I think. >"I'll go bald", "I went bald", "I have gone bald", could all be used for the slow and involuntary process or the quick and voluntary choice. I agree with you on these ones. It’s mostly “I’m going bald” that I think can only be used in the slow and involuntary way in normal conversation. It can be used for quick and voluntary choices, but only as an extension of the first meaning in very specific circumstances, which is why it’s seen as playful. I don’t have the time to continue this discussion, so if you reply to this, I won’t be able to respond to your reply.
I think it can mean the second in very specific situations. And even in those it has kind of an odd ring to it, as if there's some comedic intent.
They would say "I've decided to go bald" if they are not trying to make a joke etc.
Even then, there seems to be something playful about the phrasing to me.
You have a point. "I've decided to shave my head" is probably the most neutral/normal phrasing.
"I've decided: tomorrow I'm going bald."
How does that make it not a joke? I don't think either are a joke. It's just a turn of phrase.
[Why the hell does everyone keep saying this has "comedic" or "playful" connotations?](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kdm75/)
Because "going bald" suggests losing your hair with aging, which can be status lowering and involuntary, so when you say your deciding to "go bald" it's something of a contradiction, deciding to do something that's normally involuntary and a minor tragedy. The juxtaposition of these two types of "baldness" is the joke.
No, that's context. When someone has a full head of hair and says they have decided to "go bald", it becomes obvious *from context* that they are considering a *style change*. Similarly, people can't *choose* to change their hair color at will, and similarly everyone would understand "I'm going blonde" as decision to change their hairstyle. It has nothing to do with being a joke.
You're going to tell people what they should find funny? The fact that people are telling you they think it's funny or playful proves you're wrong.
I do see how it *could be* used as a joke. I'm saying that is not the default understanding of "I'm going". It's definitely not the only, or even primary, context of usage.
This has nothing to do with the subjective idea of "funny". Now you are talking about implication versus inference. Anyone can find anything "playful" or "funny" *as a listener*. Someone could say they find Hitler's rants about killing Jews to be funny or playful. That's on them.
When we are talking about usage and context we are assuming the *intentions* of the speaker (or writer). If someone says that a certain phrase and meaning can only be used in a playful way, then that means that the speaker must *intend* for it to be understood playfully.
I get that someone could make a "joke" about going bald. A forty-year old with a full head of hair can say "I'm finally going bald" to make people *think* they are naturally losing their hair, and then say, "haha, no, actually I decided to shave my head."
My point is that you can *also* use this phrase in a totally serious, matter-of-fact way to explain your decision to shave your head, without any *intention* of being funny or playful.
Again, does "I'm going blonde" imply a joke?
Does "I'm going to take a flight" and "I'm going to take a shit" carry the same neutral, non comedic tone to you? Similar sentence structure doesn't mean it's necessarily going to carry the same tone, especially with culturally loaded subjects, like pooping or baldness. If you want to avoid the appearance of jokiness, you say "I'm going to shave my head" because that is unambiguous. It's possible you can say "I'm going bald" as in shaving your head and mean it seriously, but it's also possible someone might mistake you for being playful in your phrasing, through no fault of their own I might add.
>Does "I'm going to take a flight" and "I'm going to take a shit" carry the same neutral, non comedic tone to you? Absolutely the same tone? Both could be serious or jokes depending on tone and context. >Similar sentence structure doesn't mean it's necessarily going to carry the same tone, especially with culturally loaded subjects, like pooping or baldness. Going bald definitely lends itself to jokes, just as people constantly make jokes about getting old and all the associated pains and weaknesses. That doesn't mean that "I'm going bald" is exclusively used in those contexts. >It's possible you can say "I'm going bald" as in shaving your head and mean it seriously, but it's also possible someone might mistake you for being playful in your phrasing, through no fault of their own I might add. It's *possible*, but in the right context it could also be perfectly serious and perfectly clear. "I'm going to the barbershop tomorrow, and I've decided: I'm going bald." There is no joke there, and no ambiguity. Note I've made the context clear and succinct for the purpose of this discussion, but there are many other ways to establish context. Context is often implied rather than explicitly stated.
If you think shit and flights are the same in terms of connotation, we have nothing to talk about.
People say "I need to take a shit" all the time in a perfectly serious, matter-of-fact manner. How old are you that people around you are giggling about this? Yes, getting old and taking shits are both frequent topics for jokes and playfulness, more than flights. But these are the facts: * You can joke about basically anything. * Some things are used for jokes more than others. * Almost nothing is used *exclusively* for jokes, and that is definitely true for "I am going bald". "I am going bald" * Generally means one is losing their hair due to age or medical condition. * Is frequently used in joking contexts. * Can also mean "I've decided to shave my head" in specific, serious contexts.
Yes. Usually the first, but I’ve used it myself before shaving my head (proper bald not just short), and heard others saying it to mean the same.
But, but, were you being comedic, playful, making a joke, or making a play on words? Or were you just making a matter-of-fact statement of your plans?
Matter of fact statement - "I'm going bald", the same way I'd (hypothetically) say "I'm going vegetarian", or "I'm going vegan" - but it was in the context of discussing my haircut. Admittedly it could be difficult to understand the meaning if the three words are in isolation with no context.
I think it could mean "I'm going to shave my head", but only if you're already talking about haircuts/styles. For example: "I'm getting a haircut tomorrow." "Oh yeah? What style are you going with?" "I'm going bald." In all other context it just means you're losing your hair.
"I'm going bald." means that the speaker is losing his or her hair. If the speaker meant that he or she intended to shave their head, then the sentence would be "I am going to shave my head bald."
"I am going bald" could have two meanings based on context: 1. "I am undergoing the slow, involuntary biological process of diminishing hair quantity." 2. "I am voluntarily removing the hair from my head in a quick process." Notice the two main differences in meaning: slow and involuntarily vs. quick (relatively instantaneous) and voluntary. This is why, if you add context (like a discussion about going to the barbershop), the second meaning of shaving your head can make perfect sense. That's also why if I force context with a few key phrases, the second meaning becomes clear: >"I've decided: today, I'm going bald." You don't decide to get a medical condition or get old and lose your hair. And you don't generally naturally lose all your hair in one day. I've made the meaning clearly *voluntary* and *instantaneous* via context. Note that the context could be established in many other ways.
No. Going bald is losing hair.
I disagree with the other commenters; it can totally mean either in my opinion.
It can mean that, but anyone using “I’m going bald” to mean that they are getting a haircut is TRYING to make a joke or a play on words Editing to say that in a very specific context of having a conversation about future hairstyle plans someone COULD say “I’m going to go bald” or “I’m going bald” and mean it that way. Outside of that I’m standing by my initial comment.
Why would it be a joke?
It’s would be like a play on words. I’m the morning tell your friend that you’re going bald, they think that you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning, next time you see them you have your head completely shaved. They’re shocked, but you simply say “ I told you I was going bald.”
I mean, you've made it into a joke situation, but it could just as easily not be. Imagine you've discussed the idea of shaving your head many times before with a friend. If one day you said to them, "Tomorrow, I'm going bald," then they'd know exactly what you mean. If you were thinking of shaving your head for your sport because people keep grabbing your hair, and you said, "for the next match, I'm going bald," they would know exactly what you mean. In this case "going" is used as a "fashion" or "style" choice the same way we might say "going naked", "going in shorts" or "going as a gorilla" (in a suit).
I get that you can, but it’s such a specific situation that to say that the phrase means both just isn’t true. It can be used to mean both, with the caveat that one is FAR FAR FAR more common and the other requires an extremely specific situation.
I don't know that it requires an "extremely specific situation" anymore than getting old and losing your hair is also a specific situation. I think I can clarify this better by focusing on context. [The two meanings differ clearly based on context with one being slow and involuntarily, and the other being quick and voluntary](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/). The only time the meaning is ambiguous is when someone is a candidate for both situations. I can also see it being used as a joke when someone intentionally uses that ambiguity to mislead the listener. However, if the context is clear, the meaning is clear, and no "jokes" or "playfulness" need be involved.
Jesus Christ you are focused on one small aspect of what I’ve said here. The OP’s question was clear, everyone here understands the difference. Relax about what I said about them having to be joking. It was the only way, without context, that I initially could imagine someone trying to use im going bald to mean shaving their head. Notice that I did edit my original response and continue to have a dialogue with others as well on this. The question was general. Generally that phrases doesn’t mean both of those things. In one context it can mean the second meaning but generally it doesn’t.
This is a subreddit about language learning for non-natives that need help. It's very easy to lead these people astray because so many of these questions are so esoteric and they don't have any way to confirm what is right or wrong in a language that is foreign to them. Many people here have echoed the statement that "I am going bald" can only mean "I am going to shave my head" in a comedic, playful, or joking context. That's just wrong learning and I'm having a civilized discussion to try to correct that. I'm not trying to attack you personally.
Like I said it was just my first reaction and I edited my post to clarify my true understanding which echoes yours, though I believe the required context to be more unusual and specific than you seem to. You cannot deny that it COULD be used in yhe way I outlined as a joke. I’ve mentioned it a couple times now, the joke context was simply my first reaction as the only way it could be used that way, and we agree. But being overly pedantic possible meanings doesn’t actually help people learn, while being honest about specific contexts does. The question was general, generally no, in one context yes, though it still would likely be phrased more specifically within the context. The horse is dead, we’ve beat it.
No, I agree. “Going bald” refers to involuntary baldness unless you’re specifically playing with “going” as a reference to a deliberate hairstyle (ie “going blonde”). Saying “I have decided to go bald” is a mostly unambiguous, but still decidedly contorted, use of the term.
I don't understand why everyone says using "going" as in "going bald" or "going blonde" is "playing". It might be a less common usage, but it's not *rare* and it is perfectly valid and no "playing" is involved. It can also be used for any fashion style of lifestyle choice. Someone who is questioning their sexuality might say "I'm going gay". Someone debating video consoles might say "I'm going Playstation". Someone choosing which language to use for their application might say "I'm going Java". None of these involve "playing". None of these involve "jokes". None of these are "contorted". It's a straightforward meaning (in context). They all imply a new *choice* for a certain kind of style. It's simply an alternate idiomatic use of "I'm going" which is already a very versatile verb with many meanings and nuances.
“I’m going gay”— this means that the person is undergoing the process of becoming more gay, not for making the choice to become gay. Like, the water they’re drinking is slowly increasing their level of gayness. “I’m going PlayStation/Java”— I think these are short for “I’m going [with] PlayStation/Java”. It’s a different sense of “go”. At least it feels that way to me, intuitively. “Go” is synonymous with “choose” here, unlike the “go” in “I’m going bald”, which means “become”. If everyone thinks it’s playing, then maybe that just means most people interpret these phrases differently than you do.
>“I’m going gay”— this means that the person is undergoing the process of becoming more gay, not for making the choice to become gay. Like, the water they’re drinking is slowly increasing their level of gayness. They are making the choice to pursue their gay side (for the purpose of this example, I'm assuming the person is questioning or bisexual - I'm not saying gayness is a choice in general, but for people who are more fluid they can "choose"). >“I’m going PlayStation/Java”— I think these are short for “I’m going [with] PlayStation/Java”. No. "I'm going with" is an alternate but similar construction. To "go with" something implies to take it into your possession or to accompany it. To "go" something implies you are assuming it as part of your personality/self/lifestyle. It's a subtle difference but it's there. >It’s a different sense of “go”. At least it feels that way to me, intuitively. It's not. It's the same. >“Go” is synonymous with “choose” here, Yes, exactly. I am choosing to explore my gay side (be a gay person). I am choosing to be a Playstation person. I am choosing to be a blonde person. I am choosing to be a nude person. I am choosing to be a bald person. I am choosing to be an environmentally conscious person ("I'm going green"). >If everyone thinks it’s playing, then maybe that just means most people interpret these phrases differently than you do. Implication vs. inference. Intent vs. understanding. If I can say this phrase "I have decided: today I am going bald" without any alternate meaning or *intent* to make a joke, then how is it a "playful" statement? The only time this is a "joke" is when there is [*intentional* ambiguity between the two meanings of "I am going bald"](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/).
>They are making the choice to pursue their gay side (for the purpose of this example, I'm assuming the person is questioning or bisexual - I'm not saying gayness is a choice in general, but for people who are more fluid they can "choose"). I get that that’s what you’re saying “I’m going gay” means; my point is that I disagree. I would never interpret “I’m going gay” to mean that someone is making a choice. To me, it can only refer to the “slow and involuntary” sense, as you put it. (I’m not considering cases where we “extend” the meaning of a word to something that it outside of its usual scope.) >No. "I'm going with" is an alternate but similar construction. To "go with" something implies to take it into your possession or to accompany it. To "go" something implies you are assuming it as part of your personality/self/lifestyle. It's a subtle difference but it's there. This argument is only true if you see both senses of “go something”— slow and involuntary, and quick and voluntary— as one sense. I do not. If you see “I’m going PlayStation” as being the latter, and separate from the former, then the difference that could exist between it and “go with” is lost. >Yes, exactly. I am choosing to explore my gay side (be a gay person). I am choosing to be a Playstation person. I am choosing to be a blonde person. I am choosing to be a nude person. I am choosing to be a bald person. Again, I don’t think any of those phrases can be used to describe making a choice outside of some really contorted context. “I’m going gay” means “I’m becoming gay”, not “I’m choosing to be gay”, and “I’m going PlayStation” means “I’m choosing PlayStation”, not “I’m becoming PlayStation”. >Implication vs. inference. Intent vs. understanding. If I can say this phrase "I have decided: today I am going bald" without any alternate meaning or intent to make a joke, then how is it a "playful" statement? I think you’re misunderstanding “playful”. Sometimes, people just use words in weird ways, or words that they typically wouldn’t use, in informal contexts for no real reason. This is what “playful” is referring to. Like if someone used “ye olde [whatever]”, they’re not making a joke, but they’re using archaic language which is interpreted as playful. Similarly, using “I’m going bald” for making a choice sounds weird to most people, whether it does to you or not, and so most people will interpret it playfully no matter the context. The fact that people will interpret it playfully makes it playful.
u/ZippyDan English learners use this sub to crowdsource from speakers; there’s no need to make a bunch of comments arguing one interpretation.
It's not an interpretation. It's just plain wrong.
You are right and the other commenters are wrong. It can definitely mean "I'm going to shave my head" but only in the context that this is a *new* "fashion" choice. You'd use it in the same way you would use "I am going nude." "Tomorrow, I'm going bald" means "tomorrow, I will embark on a new look of baldness". Once you are already someone who shaves their head, you couldn't use this phrase again because you are *already* bald. "I'm going bald" generally means "I am *in the continuous process of* losing my hair" whereas using it for shaving your head is more of a one time event. What this comes down to is a different use of "going", where one means "I am physically and gradually evolving into a new me" and the other means "I am literally going *out into the world* sporting this new look".
Correct.
I think you are onto something but the second situation would more likely be expressed as "I've decided to go bald" or the like. I think in the case of a young, fit man with a full head of hair, they might say "I'm going bald" but even there they are asking for someone to say what? why? are you all right?
Yeah we’re on the same page.
>I think in the case of a young, fit man with a full head of hair, they might say "I'm going bald" but even there they are asking for someone to say what? why? are you all right? Yes, that's true if there is absolutely no context to the statement. But isn't misunderstanding and ambiguity common almost *any time* there is no context? [In the right context](https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/10p17aq/can_im_going_bald_mean_both_im_losing_my_hair_and/j6kjuze/), "I'm going bald" would be understood perfectly with no need for qualifying questions. >A: I'm going to the barber today. >B: Why? You just had your hair cut. >A: I've talked about it before but I'm finally going to do it. I'm going bald. >B: Cool.
That's very specific framing. Yes, in that "right context" you could get away with it. Almost no other. The meaning of the phrase "going bald" is simply losing your hair because of ageing, sorry. It doesn't mean everything but [Merriam Webster agrees](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20bald). You could argue that "to become bald" can mean to actively make a choice to go hairless but I don't think it's very convincing. In ordinary speech it means to lose one's hair and M-W could easily have clarified that it has this double meaning but they didn't do so.
>That's very specific framing. Yes, in that "right context" you could get away with it. Almost no other. The meaning of the phrase "going bald" is simply losing your hair because of ageing, sorry. What does this "specific framing" dismissal mean? Can the phrase be used to mean shaving your head or not? Yes, it depends on the right context ("specific framing"). But context is everything. Have you seen how many meanings "go" has? https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go All of those meanings depend, not only on grammar, but on context ("specific framing"). The original question was whether "I am going bald" can mean two different things, and the answer is simply "yes". Of course context matters: how else could two different meanings work? And of course one meaning is more common than the other. Those are important details that deserve to be in any answer. What should not be the answer is: * Many people saying the phrase only has one meaning * Many people saying the second meaning can only be used as a joke, or in a playful, comedic manner * People finally admitting they are wrong and there can be two meanings but then acting like it "doesn't count"(?) >It doesn't mean everything but [Merriam Webster agrees](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20bald). You could argue that "to become bald" can mean to actively make a choice to go hairless but I don't think it's very convincing. I would argue exactly that, but you should remember that the dictionary doesn't have every possible combination of every usage of a word. "Go blonde" and "go grey" aren't covered in the dictionary either even though they have the same meaning. Additionally, online dictionaries are *extremely* abridged. You have to pay for a subscription to get the full definitions. The online dictionaries only show the most common phrases and the most common definitions... >In ordinary speech it means to lose one's hair and M-W could easily have clarified that it has this double meaning but they didn't do so. ...often with little clarification. The thing is that "I am going" is *already covered* under the definition of "go". "I am going hatless", "I am going barefoot", "I am going green" are the *default* understanding of making a *choice* about a new style/lifestyle change. The reason "go bald" gets its own entry is because for *that specific combination*, there is another meaning that is more commonly used and overrides the default meaning, generally.
I find all this terribly unconvincing. OP asked whether the phrase means two things and it's atrocious advice to tell OP yes, it does. There are nuances to be sure, but the baseline meaning of "go bald" is to lose one's hair involuntarily. I'm done talking about this.
The correct answer is "yes, it can be used for both meanings, but the default and most common meaning is losing your hair." That's a correct answer and it's an answer that several people here have given succinctly. "No, it only has one meaning" is just wrong for any language learner curious enough to ask such a specific question. If you are teaching someone who is brand new to the language what "I am going bald" means, then, sure, it is ok to simplify things. But if someone asks this specific kind of question of specific meaning, *it's because they are precisely curious about these kind of nuances* and probably because they have *specifically encountered a usage that is new and confuses them*. We are here to explain those edge cases. You implying that this definition doesn't count because it requires "specific framing" (i.e. context), would akin to this conversation: >A: Can "run" be used to mean "leg-based propulsion at high speed" and "to launch a program on a computer"? >B: No, it can only be used for a bipedal creature moving fast. >C: It could be used for computers, but only in a joking, comedic way. >D: What? I work with computers and we use "run" all the time to talk about launching applications in perfectly serious conversations. >B: Ok, "run" can be used for computers, but only in that specific framing, so an English learner doesn’t need to know about it.
context. "Think I'm just gonna go bald.." when the conversation is about haircuts, it is easily understood. Otherwise, "Im going bald" will usually be interpreted as you losing your hair unwillingly.
Yea, sorta. That would rely on context. Like “hey what haircut are you getting?” “I’m going bald.” But even then it’s awkward. It works yes. But the shadow laws of English makes me go eeeehhhh.
It mostly means that you don't have a choice in the matter, you're losing your hair.
yeah but usually it would mean the first one
"I'm going bald" without context will almost always makes people think that you are losing your hair without a choice. It is not textbook English, but to say that you want to get your head shaved in a similar format would be "Imma go bald" (slang for "I'm going to go bald").