subject + will + base verbUse this for decisions made now and for predictions from opinion.
Will vs Going To
A2Use going to for earlier plans and predictions from present signs. Use will for decisions made now and predictions based on opinion.
What you'll learn
- Choose going to for plans decided before speaking.
- Choose will for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
- Choose going to when a present sign shows what will happen.
- Choose will for predictions based on belief or expectation.
- Build correct future forms with will and with be going to.
Structure
subject + am/is/are + going to + base verbUse this for earlier plans and for predictions based on present signs.
Build a sentence
Subject
Situation
Sheisgoing to callAnna tonight
She is going to call Anna tonight.
Use going to for a plan decided before now.
When to use
Earlier plan
Lisa decided yesterday. Today she says, “I’m going to start a new course next month.” The plan existed before this moment.
Decision now
The doorbell rings and Tom says, “I’ll get it.” He decides while speaking, not before.
Present evidence
Maria looks at the sky and says, “It’s going to storm.” She sees dark clouds and strong wind now.
Opinion prediction
Dmitri says, “I think our team will win.” He is giving an opinion, not reacting to visible evidence.
Markers
I thinkprobablymaybeI'm sureI guess
Common mistakes
Wrong
I will meet Sara tonight. We arranged it last week.
Correct
I’m going to meet Sara tonight. We arranged it last week.
The plan existed before the speaker said it, so going to fits better.
Wrong
The bags are heavy. I’m going to help you.
Correct
The bags are heavy. I’ll help you.
This is a decision made right now in response to the situation.
Wrong
Look at that glass on the edge. It will fall.
Correct
Look at that glass on the edge. It’s going to fall.
The speaker sees a present sign now, so going to is the better choice.
Wrong
I think Ben is going to like the movie.
Correct
I think Ben will like the movie.
I think shows an opinion, not visible evidence at this moment.
Wrong
I will to send the email tonight.
Correct
I will send the email tonight.
After will, use the base verb without to.
Wrong
They going to rent an apartment.
Correct
They are going to rent an apartment.
Going to needs am, is, or are before it.
Common misconceptions
❝ Will and going to are always interchangeable. ❞
Both talk about the future, but the choice changes the meaning: earlier plan vs decision now, present evidence vs opinion.
❝ You can combine will and going to in one future form to sound stronger. ❞
Use one pattern at a time: will + base verb or am/is/are + going to + base verb.
Skills in this rule (6)
GOING_TO_FOR_PLANSw5Use be going to for plans and intentions decided before the moment of speaking
Choose be going to when Anna already has a plan in her mind before she speaks. It often answers what someone intends to do.
WILL_FOR_NOW_DECISIONSw5Use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking
Choose will when Tom decides right now, while speaking. It is common for offers, promises, and sudden choices.
GOING_TO_FROM_PRESENT_SIGNSw5Use be going to for predictions based on present signs
Choose be going to when there is visible evidence now. Dark clouds, a full bag, or a shaky ladder point to a likely result.
WILL_FOR_OPINION_PREDICTIONSw4Use will for predictions based on opinion, belief, or expectation
Choose will when Maria predicts from her thoughts, not from a sign she can see now. Words like think, probably, and maybe often appear with will.
FORM_WILLw5Build future sentences with will + base verb
After will, the main verb stays in the base form. Do not add to or another future marker after will.
FORM_GOING_TOw5Build future sentences with be + going to + base verb
Use am, is, or are before going to, then the base verb. Keep the be verb and do not put will in the same phrase.