English grammar

Will vs going to: the difference

Use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises and predictions based on opinion: "I'll help you." Use be going to for plans you have already made and predictions based on what you can see now: "Look at those clouds. It's going to rain." In many predictions, both are correct.

Example

Decision now or plan made earlier

  • A: We've run out of milk. B: I'll get some.
  • I'm going to study nursing in Canada next year.
  • Watch out! That glass is going to fall.
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The forms

Will doesn't change. In be going to, be changes with the subject (am, is, are), and the main verb stays in its base form.

Formwillbe going to
PositiveShe will (she'll) call.She is (she's) going to call.
NegativeShe will not (won't) call.She is not (isn't) going to call.
QuestionWill she call?Is she going to call?
With II will (I'll) call.I am (I'm) going to call.

When to use each

The main question is when the decision was made, and what a prediction is based on.

Usewillbe going to
DecisionsMade now, while speaking: "I'll take the blue one."Made before: "I'm going to buy a new phone this weekend."
PredictionsBased on opinion or belief: "I think the team will win."Based on evidence now: "She's going to be late; the traffic is terrible."
Promises, offers, requests"I'll be careful." "Will you help me?"Not normally used
IntentionsNot normally used for a plan already made"We're going to paint the kitchen."

The present continuous for arrangements

When a plan is fixed with other people, a time or a booking, the present continuous is the most natural choice: "I'm flying to Dhaka on Tuesday." "We're meeting the bank manager at 11."

"I'm going to meet her" stresses your intention; "I'm meeting her" stresses that it is arranged. Often both are fine.

In speech, going to is often pronounced "gonna". Write going to in exams and formal writing.

After when, if, before and as soon as, use the present simple, not will or going to: "I'll message you when I arrive."

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Look at that black sky! It will rain.

    Right: Look at that black sky! It's going to rain.

    With visible evidence now, going to is the natural choice.

  • Wrong: I going to visit my grandparents.

    Right: I'm going to visit my grandparents.

    Going to needs am, is or are before it.

  • Wrong: She is going to visits Paris.

    Right: She is going to visit Paris.

    After going to, use the base verb.

  • Wrong: A: The bag looks heavy. B: OK, I'm going to carry it.

    Right: A: The bag looks heavy. B: OK, I'll carry it.

    An offer decided at the moment of speaking takes will.

Using this in IELTS and PTE

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, questions about your future plans ("What are you going to do after your studies?") are best answered with going to or the present continuous. In Part 3, predictions about society can use will, softened with probably or likely. In IELTS Writing Task 1 projections, will and is expected to are more common than going to, which sounds informal in academic writing.

5 questions

Exercise

Try each one, then open it to check your answer.

  1. 1. Choose: "I've decided. I (will / am going to) apply to three universities."

    am going to

    The decision was made before speaking.

  2. 2. Choose: "A: I can't open this jar. B: Give it to me. I (will / am going to) do it."

    will

    B decides at the moment of speaking.

  3. 3. Choose: "He's driving too fast. He (will / is going to) crash!"

    is going to

    The prediction is based on what we can see now.

  4. 4. Complete with the present continuous: "We ___ (have) a party on Saturday. Everyone is invited."

    are having

    A fixed arrangement often uses the present continuous.

  5. 5. Correct this: "I'm sure you are going to love the film, I promise."

    I'm sure you'll love the film, I promise.

    Promises and opinion-based predictions take will.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between will and going to?+

Will is for decisions made now, promises, offers and opinion-based predictions. Going to is for plans already made and predictions based on present evidence.

Can I use will and going to interchangeably?+

Often for predictions, yes: "It will be hot tomorrow" and "It's going to be hot tomorrow" are both fine. For a quick decision or an offer, use will; for a plan already made, use going to.

Is gonna correct English?+

Gonna is how going to is often pronounced in fast speech. It is fine in casual conversation, but write going to in essays and exam answers.

Which is more formal, will or going to?+

Will is more common in formal writing, such as reports and academic essays. Going to is very common in speech.

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