BE GOING TO vs WILL When we want to talk about future facts or things we believe to be true about the future, we use 'will' The President will serve for four years The boss won't be very happy If we are not so certain about the future, we use 'will' with expressions such as probably, perhaps possibly, maybe, I (don’t) think, I hope, I expect, I wonder, I believe, I am sure, I’m certain, I’m afraid (Make a future prediction) I hope you'll visit me in my home one day She'll probably be a great success I'll possibly come but I may not get back in time I think we'll get on well I wonder what will happen I expect Tom will call me this evening Take an umbrella with you when you go out Perhaps it will rain later Note: probably/perhaps/possibly/maybe + will = may/might when we use to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future EX: Perhaps it will rain later = It may/might rain later At the moment of making a decision, use 'will' Once you have made the decision, talk about it using 'going to' I'll call Jenny to let her know Sarah, I need Jenny's number I'm going to call her about the meeting I'll come and have a drink with you but I must let Harry know Harry, I'm going to have a drink with Simon We usually use ‘will’ in some cases: Offering to something: That bag looks heavy I’ll help you with it Agreeing to something: -A: Can you look after the baby for a while? -B: Sure, I will Promising to something: I won’t tell anyone what happened Asking someone to something: Will you please be quiet? We use "will" in a question tag after imperative: Do it today, will you? Don’t look at your friend’s paper, will you? We use "will" for threat: Study hard or you will fail Give me all your money or else I will kill you If you are making a future prediction based on evidence in the present situation, use 'going to' (A decision before the moment of speaking) Not a cloud in the sky It's going to be another warm day Look at the queue We're not going to get in for hours The traffic is terrible We're going to miss our flight Be careful! You're going to spill your coffee Other points about the future: We use the present continuous tense for definite future arrangements Often, it doesn't really matter if we choose 'be going to' or the present continuous In the following example, there is really very little difference in meaning: I'm going to the cinema tonight I'm going to go to the cinema tonight We use the present simple tense in two cases First, we use it for a timetabled event in the future, like public transport or the start of a class: My train leaves at six tonight His class starts at a.m tomorrow Second, we use it after certain words, when the sentence has a future meaning These words are: before / after / as soon as / until / when: I'll call you when I get home She's going to study after she finishes dinner Please drink some water as soon as you complete the race EXERCISES Fill in each blank with ‘am going to’ or ‘will’ I feel really tired I think I _ go to bed -Where are you going? -I _ visit a customer -Do you want me to help you? -No thanks John _ help me -Would you prefer tea or coffee? -I _ have some coffee, please Would you like to come to my house for dinner and talk about this? Good idea I _ bring some wine I've already decided I _ buy a new car What are your plans for next week? I _ to fly to New York on business Probably on Tuesday but I haven't bought my ticket yet What are your plans for the holidays? I _ visit my parents for a few days and then go walking in Scotland Why are you wearing your best suit? I _ have lunch with my biggest customer 10 Do you want to have the chicken or the beef? I think _ have the beef 11 My head hurts Sit down and I _ get you an aspirin 12 We need some more ink for the printer I _ go to the shop and get some 13 Look! There's smoke coming out of the photocopier You turn it off and I _ phone the safety officer 14 I cannot see how to use this spreadsheet Don't worry I _ help you 15 I need to speak to you today I'm going out now but I _ be back later 16 Did you phone Michael? I'm sorry I completely forgot I _ it now 17 Can you help me with this? I don't understand I _ give you a hand as soon as I've finished this 18 That's much too heavy for one person I _ give you a hand 19 Could somebody answer the phone? I _ get it 20 It's really hot in here I _ put on the air-conditioning Give the correct form of the verbs in brackets Do not use abbreviations Next summer, I _ (travel) to New York My sister lives there and she bought me a plane ticket for my birthday It's getting cold I _ (take) my coat! Are you going to the cinema? Wait for me I _ (go) with you! Jane and Tom _ (not/study) medicine next year Jane _ (study) French and Tom _ (take) a gap year Mrs Simons, those bags seem quite heavy I _ (help) you carry them Experts say the Earth _ (suffer) seriously if we continue polluting Look at those black clouds I think it _ (rain) Bye Bye Joe I _ (phone) you as soon as I arrive home! What _ (do) tomorrow? I _ (visit) my grandparents 10 Anne: "I don't have enough money to pay for my lunch." Peter: " I _ (lend) you some."