Future Forms: Will vs Going To
Choose between 'will' and 'going to' for the future.
Will
Use for quick decisions, promises, and predictions without evidence.
- I'll help you with that.
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
Going to
Use for plans already made and predictions with evidence.
- I'm going to visit my parents this weekend.
- Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
Common mistake
Don't use 'will' for a plan you already decided on before speaking — use 'going to' instead.
- We are going to move next month. (already decided)
Present continuous for fixed plans
For arrangements that are confirmed and scheduled (like a ticket already booked), the present continuous is often used instead of 'going to'.
- I'm flying to Tokyo on Saturday.
- We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
- She's starting a new course next week.
More examples in context
Notice the difference in confidence and evidence behind each future form.
- I'll probably stay home this weekend.
- They're going to renovate the kitchen next year.
- Careful, that ladder is going to fall!
- I promise I will pay you back.
- We are meeting the client at 10 AM tomorrow.
- Do you think it will snow tonight?
Common mistakes to avoid
These are frequent future-form errors, and how to correct them.
- ✗ I will to call you later. → ✓ I will call you later. (no 'to' after 'will')
- ✗ She go to visit her aunt tomorrow. → ✓ She is going to visit her aunt tomorrow.
- ✗ Look, it will rain! (evidence visible now) → ✓ Look, it's going to rain!
- ✗ I'm going buy a car. → ✓ I'm going to buy a car.
Quick practice
Choose 'will' or 'going to' for each sentence, then check your answer.
- I can hear the phone — I ___ (answer it). (answer: will answer it)
- We've already booked the tickets — we ___ (visit) Rome in July. (answer: are going to visit)
- Look at those dark clouds, it ___ (rain). (answer: is going to rain)
- I'm not sure yet, maybe I ___ (stay) home. (answer: will stay)
- She ___ (start) university in September — it's all arranged. (answer: is going to start)