24/10/22, 16:58 The Future Tense With 'Will' and 'Going to'

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English as a Second Language

Expressing the Future With 'Will'

and 'Going to'
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ThoughtCo. 

By
Kenneth Beare
Updated on November 26, 2019

The future in English can be rather confusing. There are two future forms used
in most conversations: the future with "will" and the future with "going to." The
main difference between the two forms is that "going to" is used for plans and
intentions made before the moment of speaking, and the "will" to speak about
the future at the moment of speaking. Study these basic forms and then use the
referenced resources to practice these forms. Teachers can print out these
materials for use in-class, or find help with how to teach future forms, as well as
the lesson plans suggested below.

The Future With Will

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There are two basic future tenses used to describe things that happen in the
future. Besides these two there are some other future tenses which can be
started on the advanced future tenses page. The first future tense is the future
with "will." Use the future with will to talk about an event in the future that you
have just decided to do, for predictions and for promises.

Examples:

I think I'll go to that party next week.

The economy will get better soon.

Yes, I will marry you.

Future With 'Will' Structure:

Positive: Subject + will + verb

(I, You, He, She, We, They) will come to the party.

Negative: Subject + will + not (won't) + verb

(I, You, He, She, We, They) won't have time tomorrow.

Questions: Question word + will + subject + verb

What will (he, she, you, we) they do?

The Future With Going To

The future with "going to" is used to express events you have already planned in
the future and your intentions for the future. We sometimes also use the
present continuous for planned events in the near future.

Examples:

She's going to attend university and study to become a doctor.

We're going to make the presentation next week.

Future With "Going to" Structure:

Positive: Subject + to be + going to + verb

I am going to attend the meeting.

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(He, She) is going to attend the meeting.

(You, We, They) are going to attend the meeting.

Negative: Subject + to be + not + going to + verb

I'm not going to visit Rome next year.

(He, She) isn't going to visit Rome next year.

(You, We, They) aren't going to visit Rome next year.

Questions:  (Question word) + to be + subject + going to + verb

Where am I going to stay?

Where is (she, he) going to stay?

Where are (you, we, they) going to stay?

Additional Future Tense Resources

Here is an in depth guide to both the future with 'will' and with 'going to'.

Take the Future Forms Quiz for Advanced Learners

Resource for ESL Teachers. This intermediate lesson focuses solely on the
future with "will" and "going to" and includes a step by step guide through
the lesson and handouts to use in class.

Activities With the Future With Will and Going to

Some activities that will help you practice:

Planning a Party - Dialogue concentrating on the future with 'will' and

'going to'.

The Meeting - Dialogue with schedules, future plans

The Oregon Weather Forecast - Dialogue with the use of the future with
will for predictions, weather vocabulary

English Tenses Timeline Chart - study how the future forms with will and
going to relate to other tenses on a timeline.

Cite this Article

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Watch Now: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Spanish

CLICK TO PLAY

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Guide to Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous for ESL

Businessman Checking the Time

Grammar

Guide to Past Simple and Past Continuous

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Grammar

Future Tenses Review Quiz for ESL

English As A Second Language

Essential Basic English Lessons

Grammar

Visual Explanations of Each English Tense

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How Many Verb Tenses Are There in English?

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Time Expressions and Tenses

Resources For Teachers

How to Teach the Future

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School girl (14-15) reading on floor

by bookshelf in library

Grammar

English Verbs - Tense Resources

Young Students Listening to

Teacher in Class

Resources For Teachers

Future Tenses "Going to" vs. "Will"

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Road sign showing simple tenses.

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Past, Present, and Future Are Simple Tenses

Woman teaching students at table

Grammar

Various Future Forms for English Learners

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Know your Auxiliary Verbs

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Guide to Present Tenses

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Group of friends talking and

drinking wine

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Indirect Speech in the English Language

Two people carrying a bucket up a

hill

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Example Sentences of the Verb 'Bring'

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