Be going to or Will

WHEN TO USE “GOING TO”: It is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of
connection to the present form. One enormous difference in using GOING TO versus WILL, is that you
use GOING TO when the action was already decided on, even before speaking of it. Going to can also
be used for a future action when there are signs or evidence that it is likely going to happen.

“This team is playing so bad today. They’re going to lose!”

GOING TO CAN ALSO BE USED FOR A FUTURE ACTION THAT WILL HAPPEN SOON

One important detail about “GOING TO” is that it is most often used to discuss things or situations
that might happen soon.

Uses Be going to:

 Intentions: We use be going to, to talk about plans and intentions. Usually, the decision about the
plans has already been made: She’s going to be a professional dancer when she grows up. I’m going to
look for a new place to live next month.
 Predictions: We use “be going to” to predict something that we think is certain to happen or which
we have evidence for now: It’s going to snow again soon. (The speaker can see dark snow clouds.)
Look out! He’s going to break that glass.
 Commands: We use be going to when we give commands or state that something is obligatory:
[parent to a child] You’re going to pick up all those toys right now. This room is a mess!
 Definite plans “I am going to help you with your English!”
 Immediate actions “She’s going to eat lunch with my friend tomorrow.”
 Actions that will happen soon – “He’s going to be a doctor next year!”
 Anticipation “Are you going to download our free E-book?”

Will + infinitive vs Be going to + infinitive

A decision at the moment of speaking: Julie: There's no milk. John: Really? In that case, I'll go and get
some.

A decision before the moment of speaking: Julie: There's no milk. John: I know. I'm going to get some
when this TV programme finishes.

A prediction based on opinion: I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

A prediction based on something we can see (or hear) now: The Conservatives are going to win the
election. They already have most of the votes.

A future fact: The sun will rise tomorrow.

For promises / requests / refusals / offers I'll help you tomorrow if you like.

WHEN TO USE “WILL” Will can be used in expressing rapid decisions, or a future action that you
have decided on at the moment of speaking, in a spontaneous way.

Examples: “I’m thirsty! I think I will buy a drink.” “This is so expensive! But I will be able to afford this
someday.” “Okay, I’ll go to your party!”

Will, can also be used when you are making an offer. For example: “I will help with you your luggage,
they look heavy!” “You can’t go there alone; I’ll go with you.” “I’ll get the mop for you.”

It’s also used for making promises. “I will keep your secret.” “I won’t let you down!” “I’ll be there, I
promise!”

USE WILL FOR A FAR FURTHER FUTURE ACTION

One important detail about “WILL” is that it is most often used to discuss things or situations that
may take a long time to happen.

Examples of situations when the expression “WILL” is used:

Dreams “Someday I will learn another language.”

Promises “I promise I’ll call you tonight!”

To express actions that are far into the future “I will go to university someday.”

Requests “Will you buy a hamburger for me? Thank you!”

To discuss a fact “I’ll graduate from college next year”

After making a decision “Yes! I will marry you!”

Help/Volunteer “I’ll volunteer at this event tonight!”

SUMMARY OF OUR FUTURE ACTION EXPRESSIONS

When you are plans are definite, use GOING TO. When you dream of doing something, use WILL.

When you are talking about actions that are far into the future (months or maybe years from now),
use WILL. When you are talking about actions that you will do soon (tomorrow or next week), use
GOING TO. When you want to ask/request for something, use WILL. When you are
expecting/anticipating something to happen, use GOING TO.

Finally, when you promise something, use ‘WILL!

When to use WILL: In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use
WILL.
 Compare Will vs. Going To

If someone asks: "Are you busy this evening?"

If I respond: "Yes, I'm going to the movies." I use going to because it is a plan I made earlier (before
I was asked the question). - In this case we cannot use Will.

If I haven't made plans, then you can say either: "I will probably watch TV." OR "I'm probably
going to watch TV."

Both will and going to are possible in this situation because we are predicting what will happen (since
we haven't made any plans).