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The future, part 5 of 5
Going To vs. Will: Which One to Use and When
Going to for what you already planned or can see coming; will for what you decide, promise, or offer right now: I'm going to cook / I'll cook.
The idea
What changes between going to and will
Both talk about the future: going to if it was already decided or you can see it coming, and will if you decide, promise, or offer now.
- A plan from before. I'm going to rent a bike.
- A sign you can see. It's going to boil.
- A decision now. I'll get my coat.
When to use it
To talk about your plans, react on the spot, and make promises. These expressions go with it:
What you already planned
- we're going to have a party
- I'm going to save money
- she's going to study law
What you can see coming
- it's going to break
- we're going to miss the bus
- he's going to win
What you decide now
- I'll take them
- I'll do it
- I'll ask
- I'll see
Examples
- A plan
I'm going to learn French this year.
- What you can see coming
Watch out! That glass is going to fall.
- A decision right now
Pizza or pasta? I'll have pasta.
- A promise
I'll bring it back on Monday.
- An offer
You look cold. I'll lend you my sweater.
How to build it
3 steps
- Was it already decided?Going to:We're going to rent a car.
- Can you see it coming?Going to too:It's going to spill.
- Are you deciding now?Will:I'll ask Tom.
Plan or what you can see coming
- SubjectThey
- am / is / are going to're going to
- base verbsell the house.
Decision, promise, or offer
- SubjectWe
- will ('ll)'ll
- base verbwash the dishes.
The rule
Which one
| Situation | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| You already decided | going to | I'm going to paint my room. |
| You can see it coming (there is a sign) | going to | That tree is going to fall. |
| You decide right then | will | OK, I'll wait here. |
| You promise or offer | will | I'll fix it, I promise. |
How to pronounce it
going to
/ˈɡoʊɪŋ tu/In fast speech it sounds like gonna.
will
/wɪl/It is usually short: I'll, we'll.
Check
A: I'm hungry. B: Sit down, I (blank) make you a sandwich. Which one goes in the blank?
Don't confuse it with the present continuous
I'm flying to Lima on Monday.
An arrangement: ticket and time
I'm going to fly to Lima someday.
A plan: you intend to do it
For an appointment with a day and time, you can also use the present continuous; going to says it is your plan.
Present continuousIn real life
Ask yourself: did I decide before, or am I deciding now? Before: going to. Now: will.
Frequently asked questions
Are going to and will the same?
Both talk about the future, but going to says it was already decided or there is a sign; will says you decide now.
What about guessing the future?
With I think, both work: I think it'll be easy / I think it's going to be easy. If there is a sign you can see, going to.
Which one is more common in speech?
Both, in short forms: I'm gonna (from going to) and I'll (from will).
In short
- A plan already decided: going to. I'm going to move.
- Something you can see coming: going to. It's going to fall.
- A decision, promise, or offer: will. I'll help.
- With I think, both work.