The future — will and be going to · Le futur — will et be going to
Talking about the future
- English has a few ways to talk about the future.
- The two main ones at A2 are will and be going to.
- They overlap, but each has a "favourite" job.
I am going to study tonight; my phone has other plans.
Parler du futur
- L'anglais a plusieurs façons de parler du futur.
- Les deux principales au niveau A2 sont will et be going to.
- Ils se chevauchent, mais chacun a son rôle préféré.
I am going to study tonight; my phone has other plans.
will — decide now, predict, promise
- will + base verb (same for everyone; won't = will not).
- On-the-spot decision: The phone's ringing — I'll get it.
- Prediction or promise: It will rain tomorrow. I won't be late.
will — décision sur le vif, prédiction, promesse
- will + verbe à l'infinitif (même pour tout le monde ; won't = will not).
- Décision sur le vif : The phone's ringing — I'll get it.
- Prédiction ou promesse : It will rain tomorrow. I won't be late.
be going to — plans & evidence
- am / is / are + going to + base verb.
- A plan you already have: We're going to visit grandma.
- A prediction from what you can see: Look at the clouds — it's going to rain.
be going to — projets & preuves
- am / is / are + going to + verbe à l'infinitif.
- Un projet déjà planifié : We're going to visit grandma.
- Une prédiction basée sur ce que vous voyez : Look at the clouds — it's going to rain.
The phone is ringing. Which is best? — “___ get it.” · Le téléphone sonne. Quel est le meilleur choix ? — « ___ get it. »
A decision made right now → use will: “I'll get it.” · Une décision prise tout de suite → utilisez will : « I'll get it. »
Complete the plan: We are ___ to visit grandma. (going / go) · Complétez le plan : We are ___ to visit grandma. (going / go)
Plans use be going to: “We are going to visit grandma.” · Les plans utilisent be going to : « We are going to visit grandma. »
Translate into English: 明天会下雨。 · Traduisez en anglais : 明天会下雨。
A prediction → will or going to: “It will rain tomorrow.” · Une prédiction → will ou going to : « It will rain tomorrow. »
will or going to?
- Decided just now → will: I'll help you.
- Planned earlier → going to: I'm going to study tonight.
- Both can predict; going to leans on present evidence.
will ou going to ?
- Décision prise juste maintenant → will : I'll help you.
- Planifié plus tôt → going to : I'm going to study tonight.
- Les deux peuvent prédire ; going to s'appuie sur des preuves actuelles.
will or going to? · will ou going to ?
'will' for a decision made now or a prediction; 'going to' for a plan you already have. · 'will' pour une décision prise maintenant ou une prédiction ; 'going to' pour un plan que vous avez déjà.
Is this correct? “I will to call you tonight.” · C'est correct ? « I will to call you tonight. »
After will, use the base verb (no “to”): “I will call you tonight.” · Après will, utilisez le verbe à l'infinitif (sans « to ») : « I will call you tonight. »
Common mistakes
- ❌ I go to Shanghai tomorrow. → ✓ I am going to Shanghai tomorrow. — English must mark the future.
- ❌ We will going to visit grandma. → ✓ We are going to visit… / We will visit… — pick one.
- ❌ She will comes. → ✓ She will come. — after will, the base form.
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ I go to Shanghai tomorrow. → ✓ I am going to Shanghai tomorrow. — l'anglais doit marquer le futur.
- ❌ We will going to visit grandma. → ✓ We are going to visit… / We will visit… — choisir l'une des deux.
- ❌ She will comes. → ✓ She will come. — après will, la forme infinitive.
You decide at this moment to help: “I ___ carry your bag.” · Vous décidez à cet instant d'aider : « I ___ carry your bag. »
A decision made right now → will. · Une décision prise tout de suite → will.
“The train leaves at 9 tomorrow.” — can the present simple talk about a timetable? · « The train leaves at 9 tomorrow. » — Le présent simple peut-il parler d'un horaire ?
Yes — timetables (trains, flights, lessons) use the present simple, even for the future. · Oui — les horaires (trains, vols, cours) utilisent le présent simple, même pour le futur.
- will + base verb = decisions, predictions, promises.
- be going to + base verb = plans and evidence-based predictions.
- Spontaneous → will; pre-planned → going to.
- will + verbe à l'infinitif = décisions, prédictions, promesses.
- be going to + verbe à l'infinitif = projets et prédictions basées sur des preuves.
- Spontané → will ; préplanifié → going to.
Write one sentence about a plan you have for this weekend. Use “be going to”. · Écrivez une phrase sur un projet que vous avez pour ce week-end. Utilisez « be going to ».
Example: “I am going to visit my cousin on Saturday.” · Exemple : « I am going to visit my cousin on Saturday. »