The future — will and 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.
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.
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.
The phone is ringing. Which is best? — “___ get it.”
A decision made right now → use will: “I'll get it.”
Complete the plan: We are ___ to visit grandma. (going / go)
Plans use be going to: “We are going to visit grandma.”
Translate into English: 明天会下雨。
A prediction → will or 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 or going to?
'will' for a decision made now or a prediction; 'going to' for a plan you already have.
Is this correct? “I will to call you tonight.”
After will, use the base verb (no “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.
You decide at this moment to help: “I ___ carry your bag.”
A decision made right now → will.
“The train leaves at 9 tomorrow.” — can the present simple talk about a timetable?
Yes — timetables (trains, flights, lessons) use the present simple, even for the future.
- will + base verb = decisions, predictions, promises.
- be going to + base verb = plans and evidence-based predictions.
- Spontaneous → will; pre-planned → going to.
Write one sentence about a plan you have for this weekend. Use “be going to”.
Example: “I am going to visit my cousin on Saturday.”