7 examples of 'will' or 'going to'

These two phrases are easily confused, especially when they can sometimes be used interchangeably and yet at other times they cannot.

Let's look at a statement such as:

• "I think the weather will be nice later."

• "I think the weather is going to be nice later"

In these sentences both 'will' and 'going to' are correct.

Now, let's look at a statement such as:

• "Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain."

We cannot say that it 'will' rain because it's not raining right now.

We use 'going to' because we think something will happen given the situation right now (we see the black clouds).

I will (I'll) is used when we decide to do something at the time of speaking:

• Jenny: "Let's have a party."

• Kate: "That's a great idea. We'll invite lots of people."

In this case Jenny made a suggestion and Kate reacted in the moment, so she used 'we'll' (we will).

Going to is used when we have already decided to do something.

Following on from the example above, let's look at how to use 'going to':

Kate meets Dan later in the day.

• Kate: " Jenny and I have decided to have a party. We're going to invite lots of people".

Kate can use 'going to' because the decision to invite lots of people has already been made.

Let's look at some other examples:

• Kate: "Where are you going? Are you going shopping?"

• Dan: "Yes, I'm going to buy something for dinner".

In this case Dan uses 'going to' because he's already decided he needs buy something for dinner.

• Dan: "What would you like to eat?"

• Bob: "I'll have a sandwich."

In this case Bob uses 'I'll' (I will) because he is making the decision at the moment Dan asks him a question, he hadn't made the decision in advance.

• Louise: "The ceiling in this room doesn't look very safe, does it?"

• David: "No, it looks as if it's going to fall down."

In this case David uses 'going to' because based on the evidence he thinks something will happen, but it's not happening right now.

• John: "I need somebody to take me to the airport tomorrow morning."

• Ann: "That's no problem. I'll take you."

In this case Ann uses 'I'll' (I will) because she made that decision at the moment of speaking.

Top tip:

Decision in the moment - use 'will'

Decision already made - use 'going to'

Are you ready to put this into practice? Let's try with this quiz!

Look at each of these sentences and decide whether 'will' or 'going to' fit best:

"I've just put the kettle on. I ___________ make a cup of tea."

Answer:

"am going to". By putting the kettle on the speaker has already decided they are going to make a cup of tea.

"I _____________ the cinema this evening. I bought the tickets yesterday."

Answer:

"am going to". The tickets have been bought so the speaker has already decided they are going to the cinema.

Amber: "There are still tickets available for the festival, would you like to come with us?"

Ben: "Ok! I _________ buy a ticket now!"

Answer:

"will". Ben's decision to buy a ticket was made at the moment that Amber asked the question.

Claire: "Oh no, I've forgotten my text book for maths!"

David: "No worries, I _________ lend you mine."

Answer:

"will". David's decision to lend Claire his text book was only made at the moment that he found out she had forgotten her copy.

Emma: "Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

Fiona: "Yes, I __________ visit my friends in London."

Answer:

"am going to". Fiona had already made the decision to visit her friends before Emma asked her about her plans.

Emma: "How ______________ get to London?"

Fiona: "I _________ go on the train. I booked the ticket last night."

Answer:

Emma: "are you going to" this is because Fiona has already made the decision to go to London.

Fiona: "am going to". She has already made the decision to go on the train because she booked the tickets last night.

Gemma: "I'm cold."

Gemma's dad: "I ________ put the heating on."

Answer:

"will". The decision to put the heating on was made at the moment Gemma said she was cold.