Future: will / going to
Build your vocabulary with practical examples
Use 'will' + base verb for decisions made at the moment of speaking and for general predictions or beliefs about the future: 'I'll call you back', 'It will rain tomorrow'.
'Will' often appears with I think, I'm sure, probably. In speech it contracts to 'll: I'll, we'll, she'll.
Examples
I'll call you back in five minutes.
Decision made right now → 'will'.
It will rain tomorrow, I think.
A prediction/belief about the future.
Don't worry — we'll help you move.
An instant offer uses 'will'.
I'll call
/aɪl kɔːl/
I'll call you back in five minutes.
It will rain
/ɪt wɪl reɪn/
It will rain tomorrow, I think.
We'll help
/wiːl help/
Don't worry — we'll help you move.
She'll like
/ʃiːl laɪk/
She'll like this present, I'm sure.
The phone rings. You say: ___ it!
Make an instant offer: Don't worry — we ___ help you move. (will)
Use 'be going to' + base verb for plans and intentions you decided on before speaking: 'I'm going to travel to Italy in July'.
The difference from 'will': going to = already decided; will = deciding now. Form it with am/is/are + going to + verb.
Examples
I'm going to travel to Italy in July.
A plan already decided → 'going to'.
She's going to study medicine.
is + going to + base verb.
They're going to move next month.
are + going to for a fixed intention.
going to travel
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə ˈtrævəl/
I'm going to travel to Italy in July.
going to study
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə ˈstʌdi/
She's going to study medicine.
going to start
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə stɑːrt/
We're going to start a business.
going to move
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə muːv/
They're going to move next month.
A plan decided last week: I ___ to Italy in July.
Complete the plan: She's going to ___ medicine. (study)
We also use 'going to' for predictions based on present evidence — when you can see it coming: 'Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.'
The difference from 'will' here: 'going to' points to evidence in front of you right now, while 'will' is just an opinion.
Examples
Watch out — that vase is going to fall!
Evidence: it's already wobbling.
Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
Prediction based on what you see.
Our team is going to win this match.
Based on the current score/play.
going to fall
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə fɔːl/
Watch out — that vase is going to fall!
going to rain
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə reɪn/
Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
going to win
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə wɪn/
Our team is going to win this match.
You see dark clouds. You say: It ___ rain.
Warn about the vase: Watch out — that vase is going to ___! (fall)
Negative of 'will' is won't (will not): 'I won't be late.' Negative of 'going to' adds not after be: 'He isn't going to apologise.'
Questions invert: 'Will you come?' / 'Are you going to join us?' Short answers: 'Yes, I will. / No, I'm not.'
Examples
I won't be late tonight.
won't = will not.
He isn't going to apologise.
Negative of 'going to' = isn't going to.
Will you come with me?
Question: 'will' before the subject.
won't
/woʊnt/
I won't be late tonight.
Will you
/wɪl juː/
Will you come with me?
isn't going to
/ˈɪzənt ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə/
He isn't going to apologise.
Are you going to
/ɑːr juː ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə/
Are you going to join us?
Choose the negative of 'will': I ___ be late tonight.
Ask about a plan: ___ you going to join us?
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Modals: can / must / should