Will vs Going To: Future Forms, Examples and Exercises

Will versus going to: quick comparison

Here is the basic difference:

The most useful question to ask yourself is:

Was the decision made before or at the moment of speaking?

Compare:

A: We don’t have any milk.
B: I’ll buy some.

The decision happens now.

But:

I’m going to buy some milk after work.

The speaker already has the plan.

Using will for decisions and predictions

1. Decisions made at the moment of speaking

Use will when you decide what to do as you speak.

A: Someone is knocking at the door.
B: I’ll get it.

A: I can’t carry all these bags.
B: I’ll help you.

A: We’ve run out of coffee.
B: I’ll buy some later.

These are not established plans. The speaker reacts to the situation and makes a decision immediately.

2. Predictions based on opinion

Use will when predicting something because of what you think or believe.

Common expressions include:

• I think...
• I don’t think...
• probably
• perhaps
• I’m sure...
• I expect...

Examples:

I think the exam will be difficult.

She’ll probably get the job.

I’m sure you will enjoy the trip.

The prediction does not necessarily come from visible evidence.

3. Promises

I’ll call you tonight.

I won’t tell anyone.

I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.

4. Offers

I’ll carry that for you.

I’ll make some tea.

We’ll help you with the move.

These uses are all closely connected to the speaker’s decision, willingness or judgement at the moment of speaking.

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Using going to for plans and evidence

Use:

am / is / are + going to + base verb

1. Plans and intentions

Use going to when you have already decided to do something.

I’m going to start a new course next month.

We’re going to visit my parents this weekend.

She’s going to apply for a new job.

The plan existed before the speaker mentioned it.

Compare:

I’ll call Sarah.

This sounds like a decision made now.

I’m going to call Sarah tonight.

This sounds like an existing intention.

2. Predictions based on evidence

Use going to when something happening now gives you a reason to predict what will happen next.

Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.

Be careful! You’re going to drop that glass.

He hasn’t studied at all. He’s going to fail the test.

The speaker sees or knows something in the present that supports the prediction.

Compare:

I think Manchester will win.

This is an opinion.

They’re already three goals ahead. They’re going to win.

This prediction is based on the current situation.

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Present continuous for arrangements

The present continuous is another common future form.

Use it for arrangements that are already organised, especially when another person, time or place is involved.

I’m meeting Sarah at six.

We’re flying to Spain on Friday.

He’s having dinner with his parents tonight.

These arrangements are generally more fixed than a simple intention.

Compare:

I’m going to meet Sarah sometime this week.

This is a plan or intention.

I’m meeting Sarah at 6:30 on Thursday.

This sounds like a specific arrangement.

Another comparison:

We’re going to travel to Japan next year.

This expresses an intention.

We’re flying to Tokyo on 4 April.

This sounds more definite, possibly because tickets have already been booked.

Common time expressions

All three forms can appear with common future time expressions such as:

• tomorrow
• tonight
• later
• next week
• next month
• this weekend
• soon
• in a few days
• in the future
• one day

Examples:

I’ll call you later.

I’m going to start exercising next week.

We’re meeting them tomorrow evening.

The time expression does not usually determine the future form by itself.

For example:

I’ll see Mark tomorrow.

I’m going to see Mark tomorrow.

I’m seeing Mark tomorrow.

All three can be grammatically correct, but they communicate slightly different ideas.

The context tells us whether this is a new decision, a prior intention or a fixed arrangement.

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Common learner mistakes

Using will for every future sentence

Learners often learn will = future and then use it everywhere.

For example:

I will meet my dentist tomorrow at 10.

This is possible, but if the appointment is already arranged, the present continuous is normally more natural:

I’m meeting my dentist tomorrow at 10.

Using going to for spontaneous decisions

Imagine the phone rings.

Less natural:

I’m going to answer it.

More natural:

I’ll answer it.

The decision is happening now.

Forgetting be with going to

Incorrect:

I going to study tonight.

Correct:

I’m going to study tonight.

Remember:

subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Adding to after will

Incorrect:

I’ll to call you later.

Correct:

I’ll call you later.

Use:

will + base verb

Using present continuous for vague intentions

Less natural:

I’m learning French one day.

Better:

I’m going to learn French one day.

The present continuous usually sounds more natural when the arrangement is specific.

Thinking will and going to always have completely different meanings

Sometimes both are possible.

For example:

I think it will rain later.

I think it’s going to rain later.

The difference may be small depending on context.

The goal is not to learn a rigid rule for every sentence. Learn the typical meanings and then notice how native speakers use them in context.

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Exercises and answers

Exercise 1: Choose will or going to

1. A: I’m really thirsty.
   B: I __________ get you some water.
2. Look at that child near the pool! He __________ fall in.
3. I think people __________ use more artificial intelligence in the future.
4. We’ve already decided. We __________ move house next year.
5. Don’t worry. I __________ help you finish it.
6. She has bought all the ingredients because she __________ cook dinner tonight.
7. I’m sure you __________ do well in the interview.
8. A: We don’t have any bread.
   B: OK, I __________ buy some.

Exercise 2: Choose the most natural future form

Use will, going to or the present continuous.

1. We booked the restaurant yesterday. We __________ there at 7:30 tonight. (eat)
2. A: I can’t open this jar.
   B: I __________ you. (help)
3. She has decided to leave her job. She __________ for something new. (look)
4. Look at the traffic. We __________ late. (be)
5. I think the economy __________ next year. (improve)
6. My flight is booked. I __________ to London on Friday morning. (fly)

Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes

1. I going to meet my friend later.
2. She will to call tomorrow.
3. Look at those clouds. It will going to rain.
4. The phone is ringing. I’m going to answer it.
5. We will meeting them at the airport at six.
6. He going to apply for university next year.

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Answers and explanations

Exercise 1

1. will / ’ll – spontaneous decision
2. is going to – prediction based on present evidence
3. will – general prediction/opinion
4. are going to – plan already decided
5. will / ’ll – promise or offer
6. is going to – existing intention
7. will – prediction/opinion
8. will / ’ll – decision made now

Exercise 2

1. are eating – specific arrangement already organised
2. will help / ’ll help – spontaneous offer
3. is going to look – intention already decided
4. are going to be – prediction based on present evidence
5. will improve – opinion about the future
6. am flying – fixed arrangement

Exercise 3

1. I am going to meet my friend later.
2. She will call tomorrow.
3. Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
4. The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it.
5. We are meeting them at the airport at six.
6. He is going to apply for university next year.

The main difference between will and going to is not simply that both refer to the future. Use will especially for decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises, offers and predictions based on opinion. Use going to for intentions that already exist and predictions based on present evidence. For fixed arrangements, the present continuous is often the most natural choice.

Related grammar lessons

• Past Simple Tense: Rules and Exercises
• Modal Verbs in English
• Gerunds and Infinitives: Rules and Exercises