will vs be going to – future

1

Question:

will vs be going to – future

KNOWLEDGE BASICS

Predictions
Use will to talk about something that you think will happen.

I think he’ll win the election.
He will be a good doctor.

Use be going to to talk about something that you see is going to happen (there is present evidence).

Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!
The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.

Sometimes there’s little difference between will and be going to for predictions. Compare:

The conference starts in 10 minutes. We are going to be late. (=I can see that we cannot be at the conference in 10 minutes)
We need to hurry up. We’ll be late for the conference. (=I think we will be late)

Decisions

Use will for decisions that you take at the moment of speaking (instant decisions).

‘Oh, we don’t have sugar.’ ‘Don’t worry, I’ll buy some.’

Use be going to for decisions that you have already taken at the moment of speaking (intentions or plans).

‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go for a swim.’

Compare these two sentences:

‘Sarah said she needs to talk to you.’ ‘Oh, I didn’t know. I’ll call her in a minute.’ (=I took the decision while having this conversation.)
‘Sarah said she needs to talk to you.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to call her in a minute.‘ (=I took the decision before having this conversation.)

Choose the correct:

A EXCERCISE

2

Question:

EXERCISE

Choose the most appropriate forms of will and be going to for the gaps below.

A: I don't think he _____ come tonight. B: But he says he _____ come.

Choose the correct:

A will / will

B is going to / will

C will / is going to

3

Question:

A: I've bought this paint because I _____ the kitchen. B: I'm sure it _____ fantastic.

Choose the correct:

A 'm going to paint / will look

B will paint / 's looking

C will paint / will look

4

Question:

3. A: What _____ after you graduate? B: I _____ around the world.

Choose the correct:

A will you do / 'm going to travel

B are you going to do / 'm going to travel

C are you going to do / will travel

5

Question:

4. A: _____ for a walk later? B: No. I _____ home.

Choose the correct:

A Are you going to go / 'm going to stay

B Will you go / 'm going to stay

C Will you go / will stay

6

Question:

A: I need the camera because I _____ some picures. But I don't know how it works. B: Don't worry. I _____ you.

Choose the correct:

A 'll take / 'll show

B 'm going to take / 'll show

C 'll take / 'm going to show

7

Question:

6. A: ______ to work today? B: Yes, but the traffic is awful, so I _____ late.

Choose the correct:

A Will you drive / will be

B Will you drive / 'm going to be

C Are you going to drive / 'm going to be

8

Question:

A: Hurry up! The bus is leaving. You _____ it. B: No, I _____ the train. It's faster.

Choose the correct:

A are going to miss / 'm going to take

B will miss / will take

C are going to miss / will take

9

Question:

A: According to the voting intention numbers, I _____ the election. B: What _____ when you are the president?

Choose the correct:

A will win / are you going to do

B 'm going to win / are you going to do

C will win / will do

10

Question:

A: They are winning 2-1 and there are only 2 minutes left. They _____ this match. B: No, I think maybe Manchester United _____ a goal in the last minute.

Choose the correct:

A are going to win / will score

B will win / will score

C are going to win / are going to score

11

Question:

A: Don't make so much noise. You _____ dad. B: OK. I _____ now.

Choose the correct:

A will wake up / will stop

B will wake up / 'm going to stop

C are going to wake up / will stop

KNOWLEDGE BASICS

Predictions
Use will to talk about something that you think will happen.

Decisions