Future - Will vs.

Goingto

English Grammar Rules

Will + infinitive Be goingto + infinitive

Whento use GOING TO:

ThestructureBE GOING TOisnormallyusedtoindicatethefuturebutwithsometype of

connectiontothepresent.We use it in thefollowingsituations:

1. Whenwehavealreadydecidedorweintendto do something in thefuture:

They'regoingto retire tothebeach - in facttheyhavealreadybought a

littlebeachhouse.

2. Whenthere are definitesignsthatsomethingisgoingtohappen:

I thinkitisgoingto rain - I justfelt a drop.

3. Whensomethingisabouttohappen:

Get back! Thebombisgoingtoexplode.

Whento use WILL:

In other cases, wherethereis no implicitorexplicitconnectiontothepresent, use WILL:

1. Forthingsthatwe decide to do now.

I'llbuyoneforyoutoo.
I thinkI'll try one of those. (I justdecidedthisrightnow)

2. Whenwethinkorbelievesomethingaboutthefuture. (uncertain)

Myteamwillnotwinthe league thisseason.

I thinkitwill rain later so takeanumbrellawithyou.

3. Tomakeanoffer, a promiseor a threat.

I'llgiveyou a discountifyoubuyitrightnow.
I promise I willbehavenext time.
 A decisionbeforethemoment of
speaking:
A decision at themoment of speaking:
Julie: There's no milk.
Julie: There's no milk.
John: I know. I'mgoingtogo and
John: Really? In that case, I'llgo and getsome.
getsomewhenthis TV
programmefinishes.

A predictionbasedonsomethingwe can
A predictionbasedonopinion: see (orhear) now:

I TheConservatives are
thinktheConservativeswillwinthenextelection. goingtowintheelection.
Theyalreadyhavemost of the votes.

A futurefact:

Thesunwillrisetomorrow.

Forpromises / requests / refusals / offers:

I'llhelpyoutomorrow, ifyoulike.
Fill in the blanks with will or be going to:

1. A: We dont have any bread.

B: I know. I __________________ get some from the shop.

2. A: We dont have any bread.

B: Really? I __________________ get some from the shop then.

3. A: Why do you need to borrow my suit case?

B: I __________________ visit my mother in Scotland next month.

4. A: Im really cold.
B: I __________________ turn the heating on.

5. A: Are you going to Johns party tonight?

B: Yes. Are you going too? I __________________ give you a lift.

6. A: What are your plans after you leave university?

B: I __________________ work in a hospital in Africa. I leave on the 28th.

7. (The phone rings)

A: I __________________ get it!

8. A: Are you ready to order?

B: I cant decide Okay, I __________________ have the steak, please.

9. A: Are you busy tonight? Would you like to have coffee?

B: Sorry. I __________________ go to the library. Ive been planning to study all day.

10. A: Why are you carrying a hammer?

B: I __________________ put up some pictures.