Will - be going to

What's the difference? 'Will' and 'be going to'

Will + infinitive Be going to + infinitive
A decision before the moment of
A decision at the moment of speaking: speaking:

Julie: There's no milk. Julie: There's no milk.

John: Really? In that case, I'll go and get some. John: I know. I'm going to go and get some
when this TV programme finishes.
A prediction based on something we
A prediction based on opinion:
can see (or hear) now:
I think the Conservatives will win the next
The Conservatives are going to win the
election.
election. They already have most of the 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! A decision at the moment of speaking
 I'm going to go on holiday next week.  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.

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.

Will - be going to
Exercise 1: will or be going
to?
01- Have you got any plans
for tomorrow?
- Yes, I ____________ visit
my grandparents.
02- Why is she learning
Spanish?
- She ____________ travel to
Spain.
03- We are thirsty.
- Wait here. I ____________
get some water.
04- Meat or fish?
- I ____________ have some
fish, please.
05- What do you want the
keys for?
- I ____________ close the
door.
06- If you don't take a taxi,
you ____________ arrive on
time.
07- Why do you want so
many oranges?
- I ____________ make an
orange juice.
08- Oh! I haven't got enough
money to pay!
- Don't worry. I
____________ lend you
some.
09- We need one more
player.
- ____________ you play
with us tomorrow?
Exercise 2: will or be going
to?
01- I am tired. ____________
cook dinner today?
02- Are you free tomorrow? -
Sorry. ____________ study
for the exam.
03- She can't play with you.
____________ have a
shower.
04- What ____________ do if
you win the lottery?
05- I think ____________
always love that woman.
06- ____________ buy some
food. Do you want to come
with me?
07- Did you speak to Sara? -
Oh,no! ____________
phone her right now.
08- Can I have a glass, please?
____________ drink some
water.
09- Would you like to go to
the cinema? - No, sorry.
____________ clean the
house.
10- Where does that noise
come from?- I don't know.
____________ have a look.
11- Why are you switching on
the TV?
- I ____________ watch a
football match.
Exercise 3: will or be going
to?
01- I can't climb this tree.
Don't worry. ____________
help you.
02- They have made a
decision.
They ____________ lose
weight next year.
03.- What are you going to do
this evening?
- I don't know. Maybe
____________ play golf.
04- This shirt is really nice but
I think it ____________ be
very expensive.
05- Hey! The phone is ringing!
- Alright. ____________ take
it.
06- Where are you going?
- We ____________ play
basketball.
07- We have bought Lucy a
book.
- Do you think she
____________ read it?
08- Why are you wearing
sunglasses?
Because ____________ go to
the beach.
09- It's starting to rain!
- Ok. ____________ take an
umbrella.
10- ____________ come to
the party?
- Sorry. I have to work.