Will vs be going to. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief.
The idea
Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Structure & examples
The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
We are going to visit our cousins next month.
Notice the pattern
Choose the future form from the situation. A promise, an offer or an immediate decision often takes will. An intention decided earlier or a prediction based on visible evidence often takes be going to. Both can sometimes be possible, with a different emphasis.
I will answer the phone.
She is going to study medicine.
Important notes & common mistakes
Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Will vs be going to
Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
The doorbell is ringing. I will get it.
Look! That glass is going to fall.
We have decided: we are going to move next month.
I promise I will help.
She is going to take a course.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
We bought the ingredients because we ___ dinner tonight.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are going to cook
Completed sentence: We bought the ingredients because we are going to cook dinner tonight. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
That bag looks heavy. I ___ it for you.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: will carry
Completed sentence: That bag looks heavy. I will carry it for you. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Look at those black clouds! It ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is going to rain
Completed sentence: Look at those black clouds! It is going to rain. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
I promise I ___ when I arrive.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: will call
Completed sentence: I promise I will call when I arrive. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Question 1 of 50% complete
The phone is ringing. I ___ answer it.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will
Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are going to cook
Completed sentence: We bought the ingredients because we are going to cook dinner tonight. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will carry
Completed sentence: That bag looks heavy. I will carry it for you. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is going to rain
Completed sentence: Look at those black clouds! It is going to rain. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will call
Completed sentence: I promise I will call when I arrive. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am going to buy
Completed sentence: Use going to with buy: I saved enough money and I am going to buy a bike. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will help
Completed sentence: Use will with help: Do not worry. We will help you. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are going to visit
Completed sentence: Use going to with visit: They have a plan. They are going to visit us. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will open
Completed sentence: Use will with open: Someone is knocking. I will open the door. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is going to fall
Completed sentence: Use going to with fall: Watch out! That vase is going to fall. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We are going to visit our cousins next month
Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking. Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I will answer the phone
I will answer the phone. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking. Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She is going to study medicine
She is going to study medicine. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking. Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We will call you later
We will call you later. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking. Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They are going to move house
They are going to move house. Use going to for an existing plan and will for a decision made while speaking. Going to needs be: I am going to leave.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will
Completed sentence: The doorbell is ringing. I will get it. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is going to
Completed sentence: Look! That glass is going to fall. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are going to
Completed sentence: We have decided: we are going to move next month. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: will
Completed sentence: I promise I will help. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: take
Completed sentence: She is going to take a course. Will is common for instant decisions, offers and predictions based on belief. Be going to describes an existing intention or evidence-based prediction. Both can predict the future, so the surrounding situation matters.
Keep learning
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