Explanation
Exercises

🔮 WILL vs 🚦 BE GOING TO

Future meaning: predictions and decisions. “will” = belief/instant choice; “be going to” = present evidence/intentions & plans.
Predictions: think vs see Decisions: instant vs planned Short answers Contractions: I'll / won't
🧱Forms

WILL (modal)

FORM
  • Affirmative: I will pay. / I’ll pay.
  • Negative: I will not pay. / I won’t pay.
  • Question: Will you pay?
  • Short answers: Yes, I will. / No, I won’t.

BE GOING TO

FORM
  • Affirmative: He is going to pay. / He’s going to pay.
  • Negative: He is not going to pay. / He isn’t going to pay.
  • Question: Is he going to pay?
  • Short answers: Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
📌Meaning & Use
PREDICTIONS WILL — what we think will happen (opinion/belief).
BE GOING TO — what we see is going to happen (present evidence).
  • Will: I think he’ll win the election. 🗳️
  • Will: He will be a good doctor.
  • Going to: Don’t drive like that! We’re going to have an accident! 🚗💥
  • Going to: Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain. 🌧️
ℹ️
Sometimes both are possible. The conference starts in 10 minutes. — We’re going to be late (I can see the evidence) / We’ll be late (I believe).
DECISIONS WILL — instant decisions at the moment of speaking.
BE GOING TO — prior decisions, intentions or plans.
  • “We’re out of sugar.” — “Don’t worry, I’ll buy some.” 🛒
  • “Why are you undressing?” — “Because I’m going to go for a swim.” 🏊
  • “Sarah needs to talk to you.” — “Oh, I didn’t know. I’ll call her.” (decision now)
  • “Sarah needs to talk to you.” — “Yes, I know. I’m going to call her in a minute.” (decided earlier)
🌟Useful functions

Typical with WILL

  • Offers: I’ll help you with that. 🤝
  • Promises: I won’t be late again.
  • Requests: Will you open the window?
  • Refusals: He won’t apologize.

Typical with BE GOING TO

  • Strong intentions: I’m going to start a course next month.
  • Near-future results of current facts: You’re going to miss the bus if you don’t hurry. 🚌
⚖️Side-by-side contrasts

Belief vs Evidence (Predictions)

  • We need to hurry up. We’ll be late. (belief)
  • The conference starts in 10 minutes. We’re going to be late. (evidence)

Now vs Already Decided (Decisions)

  • Phone is ringing — I’ll answer it. (now)
  • I promised her — I’m going to answer every call today. (plan)
✅Quick checks
See clear evidence now? → be going to Just your opinion? → will Decision made now? → will Pre-decided plan? → be going to
🚫Common mistakes
  • ❌ I go to buy it now. → ✅ I’ll buy it now. (instant decision)
  • ❌ It will rain, look at the clouds! → ✅ It’s going to rain. (evidence)
  • ❌ am going to not → ✅ am not going to
  • Note: gonna is informal speech; avoid in formal writing.
🧭Related future expressions
  • Present continuous for fixed arrangements: I’m meeting Anna at 6.
  • Present simple for timetables: The train leaves at 7:45.
  • Will in conditionals: If it rains, we ’ll stay home.
Recap: will = belief, offers, instant choices · be going to = evidence, intentions/plans. Choose the one that best matches your reason for talking about the future. 🌟
Exercises:
1
2
3

‘Will’ vs ‘be going to’: Future forms

Choose the correct forms of will and be going to to complete the sentences below.
1
A:The doorbell’s ringing. B:I it.
2
A:Why are there boxes everywhere? B:We next week.
3
A:Look at those black clouds! B:It soon.
4
A:Do you think we’ll beat City? B:Yes, our team tonight.
5
A:Why did you buy flour and eggs? B:I a cake tonight.
6
A:This bag is heavy. B:Give it to me — I you.
7
A:The milk is boiling over! B:Quick — it everywhere.
8
A:I’m worried about the exam. B:Don’t be — if you study hard, you .
9
A:You registered for the course, right? B:Yes. When the classes?
10
A:I left my notes at home. B:No problem — I you a copy later.

‘Will’ vs ‘be going to’: Future forms

Choose the most appropriate forms of will and be going to for the gaps below.
1
I forgot my umbrella. — Don’t worry, I ____ you mine.
A.
B.
C.
2
Look at those dark clouds — it ____ any minute.
A.
B.
C.
3
Why are you carrying those boxes? — I ____ move them to the garage.
A.
B.
C.
4
Our company ____ launch a new app next month; the campaign is ready.
A.
B.
C.
5
Do you think the train ____ be on time? — No, I think it ____ be late.
A.
B.
C.
6
I forgot to email Helen. — OK, I ____ do it now.
A.
B.
C.
7
Scientists have recorded strong tremors; the volcano ____ erupt soon.
A.
B.
C.
8
A: What ____ you do this evening? — B: I ____ meet my cousin; we arranged it yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
9
The printer is jammed again. — OK, I ____ a look after this meeting.
A.
B.
C.
10
A: Why did you buy these paints? — B: I ____ redecorate the bedroom. — A: Nice! It ____ look amazing.
A.
B.
C.

‘Will’ vs ‘be going to’: Future forms

Fill in the gaps with the forms of will and be going to of the verbs in brackets.
Tip: be going to — prior plan / evidence now; will — instant decision, offer/promise, or opinion. Subject is optional in the box (e.g., “It’s going to rain” or just “going to rain”).
1
I’m carrying a toolbox; I (repair) the door.
2
Look at those clouds — it (rain).
3
The windows are open — I (close) them now.
4
She’s in great form; she (win) the match, I think.
5
We bought tickets; we (see) the new movie tonight.
6
I don’t think I (be) home before ten.
7
The phone’s ringing — I (answer) it.
8
What (you/do) with these boxes?
9
If you don’t wear a coat, you (catch) a cold.
10
Don’t worry — our team (lose) this time.