By Vahid Alaghehband
Use be going to for plans you have already decided (I'm going to study nursing) and for predictions based on something you can see now (Look at those clouds: it's going to rain). Use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers and promises (I'll help you) and for predictions based on your opinion (I think you'll like it).
This guide is part of English grammar by level. Going to and will are A2 grammar on the CEFR (A2.1 in the Vozi Grammar catalog). The choice usually depends on one question: had you already decided before you started speaking?
How to form going to and will
| Form | Going to | Will |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | I'm going to call her. She's going to travel. | I'll call her. She'll travel. |
| Negative | I'm not going to buy it. | I won't buy it. |
| Question | Are you going to come? | Will you come? |
| Short answer | Yes, I am. No, I'm not. | Yes, I will. No, I won't. |
Going to needs a form of be (am/is/are). After will and going to, use the base form of the verb, with no extra to and no -s: she will call, she is going to call.
When to use going to and when to use will
Plans and intentions: going to
Something you decided before speaking.
- We're going to paint the living room on Saturday.
- I'm going to apply for that job.
- Are you going to take the TOEFL this year?
Predictions with present evidence: going to
You can see something now that tells you it will happen.
- Be careful! You're going to drop the cake.
- The traffic is terrible. We're going to be late.
Decisions at the moment, offers and promises: will
You decide while speaking or commit to something.
- The phone is ringing. — I'll get it.
- I'll send you the file tonight, I promise.
- Don't worry, I'll carry the boxes.
Predictions based on opinion: will
Often with I think, probably, maybe, I'm sure.
- I think it will be a good year.
- Maybe prices will go down.
- I'm sure you'll pass the exam.
Time expressions and key words
These time expressions work with both forms; opinion words go mainly with will:
- tomorrow
- tonight
- next week / month / year
- this weekend
- soon
- in two days
- I think
- probably
- maybe
- I'm sure
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Correction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✗ I going to travel. | ✔ I'm going to travel. | The verb be (am/is/are) is missing. |
| ✗ She will to call you. | ✔ She will call you. | Don't put to after will. |
| ✗ Do you will come? | ✔ Will you come? | Will is an auxiliary, so the question doesn't need do. |
| ✗ Tomorrow I go to the beach. | ✔ Tomorrow I'm going to the beach. / I'm going to go to the beach. | For plans, use going to or the present continuous, not the present simple. |
| ✗ Do I help you with the bags? | ✔ I'll help you with the bags. / Shall I help you? | Offers use will or shall, not the present simple. |
Going to vs will: which one to use
| Situation | Going to | Will |
|---|---|---|
| A plan already decided | ✔ I'm going to visit my aunt on Sunday. | Less natural |
| A prediction with evidence | ✔ Look at the sky. It's going to rain. | Possible, less common |
| A decision made now | Less natural | ✔ I'll have the chicken, please. |
| An offer or a promise | Less natural | ✔ I'll call you later. |
| A prediction based on opinion | ✔ I think it's going to rain. | ✔ I think it will rain. |
In many predictions both forms are correct and the difference is subtle. In an exam, look for a previous plan or present evidence (going to) or a spontaneous decision (will).
Short conversation
Two friends talk about their plans after a course.
A: What are you going to do after the course?
B: I'm going to look for a job at a hotel. I've already sent two applications.
A: That's great. Are you going to move to the coast?
B: Maybe. I think I'll decide after the interviews.
A: If you need help with your CV, I'll check it for you.
B: Really? Thanks! I'll send it tonight.
A: Perfect. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll get a good job.
10 exercises with answers
Complete with going to or will. In the last one, fix the mistake.
- I've bought the paint. I ___ (paint) my room tomorrow.
- "It's cold in here." "I ___ (close) the window."
- Look at that car! It ___ (crash)!
- I think she ___ (win) the competition.
- We ___ (not / travel) this year; we're saving money. (already decided)
- "I don't have a pen." "Don't worry, I ___ (lend) you mine."
- ___ you ___ (study) medicine next year? (already decided)
- I promise I ___ (not / tell) anyone.
- They've booked a table. They ___ (have) dinner at 8.
- Fix the mistake: She will to arrive at five.
Show answers
- am going to paint
- 'll close
- is going to crash
- will win / is going to win
- aren't going to travel
- 'll lend
- Are … going to study
- won't tell
- are going to have
- She will arrive at five.
Next step: if you don't know your level, take the English level test (about 15 minutes, with instant results). To keep working on this topic, see Vozi Grammar's English grammar exercises by level.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between will and going to?
Going to is for plans already decided and predictions based on present evidence. Will is for decisions made at the moment, offers, promises and predictions based on opinion.
When do you use will in English?
To decide something while speaking (I'll take it), to offer help (I'll carry that), to promise (I won't tell anyone) and to predict based on opinion (I think you'll like it).
Can I use the present continuous for the future?
Yes, for arrangements with a time or date: I'm meeting Ana at six. It is very common in conversation and close in meaning to going to.
What does gonna mean?
It is the fast, informal pronunciation of going to (I'm gonna call you). You hear it all the time, but don't write it in formal texts or exams.