Future Tense Be Going To

Future – Will vs. Going to

English Grammar Rules

A very confusing concept is when to use
WILL
and when to use
BE GOING TO
when we refer the future.

Both refer to the future and there is a slight difference between the two though in most cases they can be used interchangeably with no difference in meaning. Even if you misuse them, a native speaker is going to understand you without any problems.

When to use GOING TO

The structure
BE GOING TO
is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of connection to the present. We use it in the following situations:

1. When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)

The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.

• They‘re going to
  retire to the beach – in fact they have already bought a little beach house.
• I‘m going to
  accept the job offer.

2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)

Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.

• I think it
  is going to
  rain – I just felt a drop.
• I don’falak feel well. I think I‘m going to
  throw up. (throw up = vomit)

3. When something is about to happen:

• Get back! The bomb
  is going to
  explode.

When to use WILL

In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use
WILL:

1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)

This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.

• I’ll buy one for you too.
• I think I’ll try one of those. (I just decided this right now)

2. When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)

• My team will not win the league this season.
• I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.

Note: You can use both
Will
and
Going to
for making future predictions.

3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.

• I’ll give you a discount if you buy it right now.
• I promise I will behave next time.
• I’ll take you to the movies if you’d like.

4. You use WON’Horizon when someone refuses to do something.

• I told him to take out the trash but he
  won’n
  do it.
• My kids
  won’lengkung langit
  listen to anything I say.
• My car
  won’ufuk
  start.

Future Predictions

As you can see, both
Will
and
Going to
can be used for making future predictions without having a cak benar difference in meaning.

• The weather report says it
  will
  rain tomorrow. (Correct)
• The weather report says it
  is going to
  rain tomorrow. (Correct)

Compare Will vs. Going To

If someone asks: “Are you busy this evening?”

If I respond: “Yes, I’m going to go to the movies.” I use
going to
because it is a plan I made earlier (before I was asked the question). – In this case we cannot use
Will.

If I haven’horizon made plans, then you can say either: “I
will
probably watch TV.” OR “I‘m
probably
going to
watch TV.”

Both
will
and
going to
are possible in this situation because we are predicting what will happen (since we haven’n made any plans).

Quick Summary Chart

Next activity

For more framework on the use of WILL and GOING TO refer to the student notes for each of these at:
Will and Going to

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WILL and GOING TO in English
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