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Future forms (tenses): Understanding Will and Going to

Meaning and Usage

In the future we often use will and the structure (be) going to (+infinitive) to make decisions, arrangements and plans.

Will is preferred when a decision is being made when we are speaking:

            A:  “The flight arrives at 9:20 tomorrow evening.”

            B:  “I’ll pick you up from the airport, if you like.”

Going to is preferred when a decision has been made before now:

            A:  “When does he get back?”

            B:  “Tomorrow evening.  I’m going to pick him up from the airport.” 

Will is also preferred with certain verbs expressing promises, speculation, uncertainty, guarantees, and with adverbs such as probably, possibly, definitely.  It is often preferred after think for this reason.

            I promise I’ll phone you tomorrow. I’ll definitely have an answer by then.

Going to is preferred to express a personal intention.

            I’m going to have a long hot bath when I get home tonight.

Going to is also quite common when we can see, hear or feel that something is going to happen.

            To pregnant woman: “When are you going to have the baby?”

Form

Will is often contracted in speaking:  I’ll; He’ll; They’ll etc.

If we use going to + go we usually omit the second verb to avoid repeating it.

            I’m going to go to the pub tonight.

Going to: Pronunciation

Going to is often pronounced /gÃn«/ and written ‘gonna’. 

            We’re gonna make a move now.  See you tomorrow.

Although some speakers consider this pronunciation to be incorrect, it is extremely widespread and natural in all English speaking countries.

Both forms are often possible

There are many future situations where the choice is not clear, for example if the future event is not the result of individual planning or decision making.

            What time will the party start.

            What time is the party going to start.

Or if a general prediction is being made with no emphasis on any of the above categories.

            The supermarket’s going to be busy tomorrow.

            The supermarket will be busy tomorrow.

Final Note:  In American English going to is becoming more and more common.  Don’t be surprised if you hear it used widely in the UK too. 

Exercise 1

Insert (be) going to or will into each gap.  If you think both are fine, write both.

1          I ____________ have a cup of tea when I get home.

2          To waiter: “I ____________ have the Chicken Kiev, please.”

3          Nobody ____________ to help you when you finish university. 

4          “Any plans for your holiday.”

            “We ____________ Umbria in Italy.”

5          Look at that traffic jam.  We ____________ be late.

6          Can you guarantee that this ____________ (negative) happen again?

7          “I’m feeling quite cold.  Can you close the window?”

            “Sure.  I____________ turn the heating up as well, if you like.”

8          I ____________ the shop.  Is there anything you want?

9          “Have you got my book?”

            “Sorry.  I forgot it.  I ____________ give it to you tomorrow.

10         I ____________ probably be about 40 minutes late tomorrow.  I ____________the dentists in           the morning.

11         What ____________ do with the profits?

12         The plumber ____________ put a new bath in this summer.

13         “That man’s just dropped something.”

            “I____________ stop him.”

14         The weather forecast said it ____________ rain tomorrow.

15         She ____________ dye her hair blonde, but I don’t think it ____________ suit her.

Answers

Please Note:  This lessons was created and is owned by Jason Anderson (c) 2003. 

Answers

1          I’m going to have a cup of tea when I get home.

2          To waiter: “I’ll have the Chicken Kiev, please.”

3          Nobody will / is going to help you when you finish university. 

4          “Any plans for your holiday.”

            “We’re going to Umbria in Italy.”

5          Look at that traffic jam.  We’re going to be late.

6          Can you guarantee that this won’t happen again?

7          “I’m feeling quite cold.  Can you close the window?”

            “Sure.  I’ll turn the heating up as well, if you like.”

8          I’m going to the shop.  Is there anything you want?

9          “Have you got my book?”

            “Sorry.  I forgot it.  I’ll give it to you tomorrow.

10         I’ll probably be about 40 minutes late tomorrow.  I’m going to the dentists in the

            morning.

11         What will / are you going to do with the profits?

12         The plumber is going to put a new bath in this summer.

13         “That man’s just dropped something.”

            “I’ll stop him.”

14         The weather forecast said it is going to/ will rain tomorrow.

15         She’s going to dye her hair blonde, but I don’t think it will suit her.

Please Note:  This lessons was created and is owned by Jason Anderson (c) 2003.