Casa ESL · grammar guides · level A2–B1
Will vs Going To — Talking About the Future
English has no single future tense — it has choices. Will for decisions made now and predictions from opinion; going to for plans already made and predictions from evidence.
Going to: plans and evidence
Prior plans: "We're going to visit Malta in June" (decided before speaking). Evidence-based predictions: "Look at those clouds — it's going to rain."
Will: instant decisions, offers, promises, opinions
Decisions made at the moment of speaking: "The phone's ringing — I'll get it." Offers and promises: "I'll help you." / "I won't tell anyone." Predictions from belief: "I think they'll win."
And the present continuous
For fixed arrangements with people, times, and tickets, English often prefers the present continuous: "I'm meeting Dana at eight." The three futures overlap — the difference is how settled the plan is: will (decided now) → going to (intended) → continuous (arranged).
| Situation | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Decision right now | will | It's cold — I'll close the window. |
| Plan made earlier | going to | I'm going to start a business. |
| Prediction from evidence | going to | She's going to have a baby. |
| Prediction from opinion | will | I think it will be a hard winter. |
| Fixed arrangement | present continuous | We're flying on Friday. |
Common mistakes
✓ I'm meeting / I'm going to meet Anna tomorrow at 6.
Arranged plans avoid plain will.
✓ Look out! You're going to hit the car!
Evidence right now → going to.
✓ I'm going to call you tonight.
Going to needs be + going to + verb.
Practice
- The bag is heavy — I ___ (carry) it for you. (offer)
show answer
'll carry - They ___ (get) married in May. (planned)
show answer
are going to get / are getting - That shelf is loose. It ___ (fall).
show answer
is going to fall
FAQ
What is the difference between will and going to?
Will marks decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers, promises, and opinion-based predictions. Going to marks plans decided earlier and predictions based on present evidence.
Can I use the present continuous for the future?
Yes — for fixed arrangements, especially with a time and other people: I'm seeing the doctor on Tuesday.
Is "gonna" acceptable?
Gonna is the informal spoken form of going to. Fine in casual speech and song lyrics; write going to in anything formal.
Want this to actually stick?
One-on-one lessons with a real teacher, or free worksheets for this level — your pace, your goals.
More guides: Present Simple · Past Simple · Present Continuous · Present Perfect