This document compares and contrasts the uses of will and be going to. Will is used to express predictions, quick decisions, and promises. Be going to is used to express predictions when there is evidence or prior planning, as well as prior plans that have already been made. The present progressive can also indicate prior plans, when used with future time words like tomorrow. Overall, will tends to express spontaneity or firm intent, while be going to implies some degree of planning or forethought.

1. WILL
vs.
Be Going to

3. A: Why did you buy this flour?
B: I ___________ to make some
bread.
WILL Be Going to

4. A: Why did you buy this flour?
B: I ___________ to make some
bread.
I’m going to make some bread.
WILL Be Going to

6. A: Could someone get me a glass of
water?
B: Certainly. I _____ get you one.
Would you like some ice in it?
WILL Be Going to

7. A: Could someone get me a glass of
water?
B: Certainly. I _____ get you one.
Would you like some ice in it?
I’ll get you one.
WILL Be Going to

9. A: Are you going to the post office
soon?
B: Yes. Why?
A: I need to send this letter today.
B: I _____ mail it for you.
A: Thanks.
WILL Be Going to

10. A: Are you going to the post office
soon?
B: Yes. Why?
A: I need to send this letter today.
B: I _____ mail it for you.
A: Thanks.
I’ll mail it for you.
WILL Be Going to

12. A: Why are you carrying that box?
B: I _____ mail it to my sister. I’m on
my way to the post office.
WILL Be Going to

13. A: Why are you carrying that box?
B: I _____ mail it to my sister. I’m on
my way to the post office.
I’m going to mail it to my sister.
WILL Be Going to

15. A: Could someone please open the
window?
B: I ____ do it.
A: Thanks.
WILL Be Going to

16. A: Could someone please open the
window?
B: I ____ do it.
A: Thanks.
I’ll do it.
WILL Be Going to

18. A: What are you vacation plans?
B: We _____ to spend two weeks on
a beach in Cuba.
WILL Be Going to

19. A: What are you vacation plans?
B: We _____ to spend two weeks on
a beach in Cuba.
We’re going to spend two weeks
on a beach in Cuba.
WILL Be Going to

21. A: I have a note for Joe from Rachel.
I don’t know what to do with it.
B: Let me have it. I _____ give it to
him. He’s in my afternoon class.
A: Thanks but you have to promise
not to read it.
WILL Be Going to

22. A: I have a note for Joe from Rachel.
I don’t know what to do with it.
B: Let me have it. I _____ give it to
him. He’s in my afternoon class.
A: Thanks but you have to promise
not to read it.
I’ll give it to him.
WILL Be Going to

24. A: Did you know that Sara and I are
moving? We found a great
apartment in Waterloo.
B: That’s terrific. I _____ help you
on moving day if you like.
A: Hey, great! We’d really
appreciate that.
WILL Be Going to

25. A: Did you know that Sara and I are
moving? We found a great
apartment in Waterloo.
B: That’s terrific. I _____ help you
on moving day if you like.
A: Hey, great! We’d really
appreciate that.
I’ll help you on moving day if you like.
WILL Be Going to

27. A: Do you want to walk to the
meeting together?
B: Okay. I _____ meet you by the
elevator.
A: Okay. I _____ wait for you there.
WILL Be Going to
WILL Be Going to

28. A: Do you want to walk to the
meeting together?
B: Okay. I _____ meet you by the
elevator.
A: Okay. I _____ wait for you there.
I’ll meet you by the elevator
WILL Be Going to
WILL Be Going to

29. A: Do you want to walk to the
meeting together?
B: Okay. I _____ meet you by the
elevator.
A: Okay. I _____ wait for you there.
I’ll meet you by the elevator
I’ll wait for you there.
WILL Be Going to
WILL Be Going to

30. Game Over

31. Review

32. Use Will for…
1. Predictions
2. Quick Decisions
3. Promises

33. Use Be Going To for…
1. Predictions
2. Prior Plans

34. Use Present Progressive (Continuous) for…
1. Action happening now
2. Prior Plans - when used with future words

35. Or to say
it another
way

36. For Predictions Use
1. Will
2. Be going to

37. For Prior Plans Use
1. Be going to
2. Present progressive (continuous) with
future words

38. For Quick Decisions Use
1. Will

39. For Promises Use
1. Will

40. The End