Back to library Future Tenses

Future Simple and Going To

Choose between will and going to for decisions, plans, promises and predictions.

Beginner 2 min read

What Is It?

English has no single future tense. The two most common ways to talk about the future are will + verb and be going to + verb.

Why Do English Speakers Use It?

The choice tells the listener when you made the decision and how sure you are. “I’ll call you” is a quick promise; “I’m going to call you” is a plan.

When to Use It

Will: instant decisions: The phone’s ringing. I’ll get it.
Will: offers and promises: I’ll help you with your bags.
Going to: plans and intentions: I’m going to start a new course in May.
Going to: predictions from evidence: Look at the sky. It’s going to rain.

When NOT to Use It

Don’t use will after “if” or “when” in future time clauses: “When I arrive, I’ll call you”, not “When I will arrive”.

Sentence Structure

Form	will	going to
Positive	I will (I’ll) help.	I’m going to help.
Negative	I won’t help.	I’m not going to help.
Question	Will you help?	Are you going to help?

Grammar Rules

Will is the same for all subjects and is followed by the base verb.
Going to needs am / is / are before it.
For general predictions (opinions), both are possible: I think it will / is going to be hot.
For fixed arrangements, the present continuous is common: I’m meeting her at 6.
Schedules and timetables use the present simple: The flight leaves at 9.

Real-Life Examples

Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.
Monica is going to study medicine.
Will you marry me?
Be careful! That glass is going to fall.

Common Learner Mistakes

I will to call you.I will call you.
She going to travel.She is going to travel.
If it will rain, we’ll stay in.If it rains, we’ll stay in.

Quick Memory Tip

Decided now? Use will. Decided before? Use going to.

Real Conversation

Joe: I’m going to visit my cousins in Rajshahi next week.

Monica: Nice! How are you getting there?

Joe: I haven’t booked yet. Hmm… I’ll take the train, I think.

Interactive Practice

Pick an answer to check your understanding.

Question 1 of 5

A: “We’ve run out of milk.” B: “Oh, I ___ go and get some.”

Question 2 of 5

Joe has already bought paint and brushes. He ___ paint his room this weekend.

Question 3 of 5

I’m tired. I think I ___ go to bed early.

Question 4 of 5

The train ___ at 6:45 tomorrow morning.

Question 5 of 5

By next June, I ___ my degree.

Final Mini Quiz

One last check before you mark the lesson complete.