‘Will’ vs ‘be going to’: Future forms

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  • Exercises: 1 2 3

    ‘Will’ vs ‘be going to’: Future forms

    Exercise 3

    Fill in the gaps with the forms of will and be going to of the verbs in brackets.

    1A: Have you decided what to do with the washing machine?      B: Yes, I (buy) a new one.

    2A: That glass is dirty.     B: No problem. I (clean) it.

    3A: Why are you taking the camera?     B: I (take) a picture of the sunset.

    4Please, slow down. Are you crazy? We (have) an accident!

    5You look tired. Sit down, and I (make) you a cup of tea.

    6Do you think he (ask) her out?

    7Do you think you (arrive) before she arrives?

    8He  (not run) the marathon. He says he needs more training.

    9It looks delicious! We (enjoy) this meal so much!

    10A: I want coffee, but I don't have coins for the vending machine.     B: No problem. I (buy) you a coffee.


     

    Exercises: 1 2 3

  • Will vs Be going to: Grammar chart

    Grammar comparison chart contrasting 'WILL' and 'BE GOING TO' for future forms, highlighting their forms, usage, and meaning, with example sentences for predictions and decisions.

    Download full-size image from Pinterest

    Predictions

    Use will to talk about something that you think will happen.

    • I think he’ll win the election.
    • He will be a good doctor.

    Use be going to to talk about something that you see is going to happen (there is present evidence).

    • Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!
    • The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.

    Sometimes, there’s little difference between will and be going to for predictions. Compare:

    • The conference starts in 10 minutes. We are going to be late. (=I can see that we cannot be at the conference in 10 minutes)
    • We need to hurry up. We’ll be late for the conference. (=I think we will be late)

    Decisions

    Use will for decisions that you take at the moment of speaking (instant decisions).

    • ‘Oh, we don’t have sugar.’ ‘Don’t worry, I’ll buy some.’

    Use be going to for decisions that you have already taken at the moment of speaking (intentions or plans).

    • ‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go for a swim.’

    Compare these two sentences:

    • ‘Sarah said she needs to talk to you.’ ‘Oh, I didn’t know. I’ll call her in a minute.’ (=I took the decision while having this conversation.)
    • ‘Sarah said she needs to talk to you.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to call her in a minute.‘ (=I took the decision before having this conversation.)

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