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Lesson 24 of 36 · intermediate

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)