What's the difference?
'Will' and 'be going to'
Will + infinitive Be going to + infinitive
A decision at the moment of
A decision before the moment of speaking:
speaking:
Julie: There's no milk.
Julie: There's no milk.
John: I know. I'm going to go and get some
John: Really? In that case, I'll
when this TV programme finishes.
go and get some.
A prediction based on something we can see
A prediction based on
(or hear) now:
opinion:
The Conservatives are going to win the
I think the Conservatives will
election. They already have most of the
win the next election.
votes.
A future fact:
The sun will rise tomorrow.
For promises / requests /
refusals / offers:
I'll help you tomorrow, if you
like.
More examples:
(The phone rings)
Julie: I'll get it!
('I'm going to get it' is very strange, because it makes us think that
Julie knew the phone was going to ring before it did).
I'm going to go on holiday next week.
('I'll go on holiday next week' makes it sound like you've only just
decided at that minute. Of course, this is possible, but normally we
plan our holidays more in advance!).
Other points about the future:
We use the present continuous tense for definite future arrangements. Often,
it doesn't really matter if we choose 'be going to' or the present continuous.
In the following example, there is really very little difference in meaning:
I'm going to the cinema tonight.
I'm going to go to the cinema tonight.
We use the present simple tense in two cases. First, we use it for a
timetabled event in the future, like public transport or the start of a class:
My train leaves at six tonight.
His class starts at 9am tomorrow.
Second, we use it after certain words, when the sentence has a future
meaning. These words are: before / after / as soon as / until / when:
I'll call you when I get home.
She's going to study after she finishes dinner.
Please drink some water as soon as you complete the race.
'Will' or 'be going to'?
Put in 'will' or 'be going to'.
1) A: We don't have any bread. B: I know. I am going to get some from the
shop.
2) A: We don't have any bread. B: Really? I will get some from the shop
then.
3) A: Why do you need to borrow my suitcase? B: I am going to visit my
mother in Scotland next month.
4) A: I'm really cold.B: I will turn the heating on.
5) A: Are you going to John's party tonight? B: Yes. Are you going too? I
will give you a lift.
6) A: What are your plans after you leave university? B: I am going to work
in a hospital in Africa. I leave on the 28th.
7) (The phone rings)A: I will get it!
8) A: Are you ready to order?B: I can't decide. Okay, I will have the steak,
please.
9) A: Are you busy tonight? Would you like to have coffee? B: Sorry. I am
going to go to the library. I've been planning to study all day.
10) A: Why are you carrying a hammer? B: I am going to put up some
pictures.
Future simple and continuous
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses.
1.
Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us?
Marcus: He (wait) will be waiting/ is going to be waiting for us when our train
arrives. I am sure he (stand) will be standing on the platform when we pull into
the station.
Sandra: And then what?
Marcus: We (pick) are going to pick Michele up at work and go out to dinner.
2.
Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) will be watching TV, Sam
(make) will be making drinks, Beth (dance) will be dancing by herself, and
Thad (complain) will be complaining about his day at work.
Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things.
Ted: I am absolutely positive they (do) are going to do the same things; they
always do the same things.
3.
Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash) will wash all
of those?
Jack: I promise I (do) will do them when I get home from work.
Florence: Thanks.
Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain will be gone and nice
stacks of sparkling clean dishes (sit) are going to be sitting / will be sitting in
the cabinets.
4.
Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) will be staying/ am going
to be staying at the Hoffman Hotel.
Nancy: I (call) will call you if there are any problems.
Doug: This is the first time I have ever been away from the kids.
Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) will be / are going to be fine.
5.
Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) am going to be lying on a
tropical beach in Maui drinking Mai Tais and eating pineapple.
Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) will be stressing out
over this marketing project. How are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I
am working so hard?
Samantha: I 'll manage somehow.
Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you?
Samantha: No. But I (send) will send you a postcard of a beautiful, white
sand beach.
Darren: Great, that (make) will make me feel much better.
