Tense Contrasts

Will vs. Going To

Practice choosing between "will" and "going to" in context.

The Core Decision

Use “going to” for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on present evidence you can see.

Use “will” for instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers, promises, and predictions based on opinion or belief.

	Future with Will	Future with Going To
Use when	An instant decision, an offer, a promise, or a prediction based on opinion or belief.	A plan or intention already decided, or a prediction based on present evidence you can see.
Signal words	I think, probably, maybe, I promise, I'll (sudden decision), perhaps	look at those clouds, already planned, we've decided, the schedule says
Example	The phone's ringing. I'll get it.	Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.

Using “will” for an already-made plan: say I'm going to visit my aunt this weekend (decided earlier), not I will visit my aunt this weekend, if it's a fixed plan.
Using “going to” for an on-the-spot decision: when you decide while speaking, use “will” — “That bag looks heavy. I'll carry it for you.”
For predictions, use “going to” when there's visible evidence now ("She's going to have a baby"), but “will” for a guess or belief ("I think she'll be a great mother").

Practice

Look at Ben's face — hesneeze!

Hint: use 'going to' (you can see it coming)

Call me when you land and Icome pick you up.

Look at those dark clouds! It rain any minute.

The forecast and the dark sky agree: there be a storm tonight.

Watch out, the ladder is wobbling and that vasefall!

Hint: use 'going to' (prediction from present evidence)

This bag is so heavy. — Here, I carry it for you.

Honestly, I doubt the meeting last more than an hour.

Don't worry about the deadline. I promise I finish it on time.

The phone is ringing. Don't worry, I answer it.

Our department has scheduled it for months; we launch the app in March.

Generate 5 more practice questions

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect