P1-S WEEK 1

Main Course Spring 2023

WILL vs BE GOING TO

Will + infinitive Be going to + infinitive

A decision at the moment of speaking: A decision before the moment of speaking:

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

John: Really? In that case, I'll go and get John: I know. I'm going to go and get some when I go
some. shopping this afternoon.

A prediction based on opinion: A prediction based on something we can see/hear now:

I think our football team will win the Our team is going to win this game. The score is already
next game. 5-0, and it is the last 3 minutes of the game.

I think it will rain tomorrow. Look at all those grey clouds! It is going to rain.

For promises / requests / refusals /

offers:

You can talk about your secrets with me.

I won’t tell anyone. (promise)

I will always love you. (promise)

Will you bring me a glass of water?

(request)

Will you marry me? (request)

I apologized to her, but she still won’t

talk to me. (= She refuses to talk to me;
she is reluctant to talk to me.)

Examples:
(The phone rings) Julie: I'll get it!
 We don’t say “I'm going to get it” because it means that Julie already knew that the phone was
going to ring before it did.

I'm going to fly to Paris next week.

 We don’t say “I'll fly to Paris next week” because this sounds like you've just decided at that
minute. We normally plan our flights and holidays 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 watching a movie with my friends tonight.
I'm going to watch a movie with my friends 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.
His class starts at 9am tomorrow.

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. (We cannot say “when I will get home”)
She's going to study after she finishes dinner. (We cannot say “she will finish”)
Please drink some water as soon as you complete the race. (We cannot say “as
soon as you will complete)

Exercise 1. Two people are having a cup of coffee and planning their trip to the Space Conference.
Read their conversation and circle the most appropriate future forms.

Jason: I’ve just heard the weather report. It 1. will / is going to rain tomorrow.
Ariel: Oh no! I hate driving in the rain, and it is a long drive to the conference.
Jason: Wait! I have an idea. We 2. will / are going to take the train instead.
Ariel: Good idea. Do you have a train schedule?
Jason: Yes, here’s one. There is a train that 3.will leave / leaves at 7:00 am.
Ariel: What about lunch? Hmm… Got it! I 4. will make / am making some sandwiches for us. What do
you think?
Jason: Great idea! I love your sandwiches. You know it is a long trip. What 5. do we do / are we going to
do all those hours?
Ariel: Don’t worry. We 6. will think of / are thinking of something.
Jason: Maybe I 7. will bring / am bringing my laptop, and we can watch a movie.
Ariel: Great! Hey, Jason, your cup is right at the edge of the table. It 8. will / is going to fall!
Jason: Got it! You know, we have to get up really early. I think I 9. am going / will go home now.
Ariel: OK. I 10. am seeing / will see you tomorrow. Good night.
Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks using either WILL or BE GOING TO and the verbs in brackets.

1. A: We don't have any bread at home.

B: I know. I __________________ (get) some from the shop this afternoon.

2. A: We don't have any bread.

B: Really? I __________________ (get) some from the bakery then.

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

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

4. A: It’s really hot and stuffy in this room.

B: I __________________ (open) one of the windows for you.

5. A: What are your plans after you finish university?

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

6. (The phone rings)

A: I __________________ (get) it!

7. A: Are you ready to order?

B: I can't decide … Okay, I __________________ (have) the steak, please.

8. A: Why are you carrying a hammer?

B: I __________________ (put up) some pictures

9. They have already decided on their next summer holiday. They __________________ (do) a tour of
Norway.

10. She thinks that the Lady Gaga concert __________________ (be) exciting.

11. A: What are your plans for this evening?

B: I __________________ (meet) my friends and go to a birthday party.

12. I can’t come to the art exhibition with you tomorrow. I __________________ (look after) my little
sister.

13. I think, in the future, humans __________________ (cause) the extinction of many plant and animal
species.

14. She wants to buy a birthday present for her mom, but she _________________ (not buy) it today.

15. A: I feel very thirsty after this long hike.

B: I __________________ (get) you a bottle of water.

16. My cousin a.__________________ (work) in the UK for a year. He thinks this b. __________________
(improve) his language skills.

17. A: I don't think I a. __________________ (have) time to cook anything tonight for dinner.
B: Don't worry. I b.__________________ (pick up) some burgers on my way home.

18. My mother is buying some eggs and flour because she is __________________ (bake) some cookies
for our guests.