COMPARING: WILL x BE GOING TO

WILL + INFINITIVE BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE

A decision before the moment of

speaking. It implies a
premeditated intention, and often
A decision at the moment of
an intention plus plan.
speaking. It implies intention
Julie: There’s no milk.
alone, and this intention is
John: I know. I’m going to go and
usually, though not
get some when this TV program
necessarily, unpremeditated.
finishes.
(The phone rings)
Julie: I'll get it!
I have bought some bricks and I am
('I'm going to get it' is very
going to build a garage.
strange, because it makes us
think that Julie knew the
I'm going to go on holiday next
phone was going to ring before
week.
it did).
('I'll go on holiday next week'
Ann: This is a terribly heavy
makes it sound like you've only just
box.
decided at that minute. Of course,
Tom: I will help you carry it.
this is possible, but normally we
plan our holidays more in
advance!).

A prediction based on something

A prediction based on opinion.
we can see (or hear) now. There
It implies that the speaker
are signs that something will
thinks/believe that it will
happen.
happen.
The Conservatives are going to
I think the Conservatives will
win the election. They already
win the next election.
have most of the votes.
It will take a long time to
It is going to take a long time to
photocopy all the documents.
photocopy all the documents.
(It is the speaker’s opinion).
(something shows it).

Will doesn’t imply any It is normally used about the

particular time and could immediate/fairly immediate
refer to the remote future. future.
The lift will break down. The lift is going to break down.
He will get better. He is going to get better.

Will is used in informal

But the average reader/listener
announcements.
will say:
An official weather forecast:
“There is going to be rain. Fog is
“There will be rain. Fog will
going to persist in these areas”.
persist in these areas”.

For promises / requests /

refusals / offers:
I’ll help you tomorrow, if you
like.

Will vs Going To, English Future Tense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALejnj--Was

Future Simple vs 'Going to' Future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pao4rTYmIY

Future Tense - WILL & GOING TO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmSKJ-t8lJ8