Both forms talk about the future. Choose by the reason. Did you decide before you speak? Or do you decide now?

Situation	Form	Example
A plan you made before	be going to	I am going to visit my aunt.
A sign you can see now	be going to	Look! It is going to rain.
A decision, offer, or promise now	will	I’ll get it.
An opinion about the future	will	I think prices will rise.

Ask these questions in order. Stop at the first yes.

Yes → going to. It is a plan.

Yes → going to. The sign tells you what happens next.

Yes → will. The idea is new. You create it when you speak.

Yes → will. In this course, use will for an opinion. People also say going to for opinions, but you do not need that yet.

The same action can use either form. The reason tells you which one.

Going to	Will
I am going to call Mom. (I planned it.)	I’ll call Mom. (I decide now.)
It is going to rain. (I see black clouds.)	It will rain tomorrow. (I think so.)
I am going to make dinner. (My plan.)	I’ll make dinner. (I offer now.)
She is going to win. (She is far ahead now.)	She will win. (I think she is the best.)
I am going to drive you. (We agreed before.)	I’ll drive you. (I offer now.)

Look for words that show the reason.

Read the situation. Click the form you need.

• 1
  You booked flights last week. You tell a friend about your trip.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You decided before you speak. Use going to.
• 2
  The phone is ringing. You decide to get it now.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You decide when you speak. Use will.
• 3
  You see black clouds. You talk about the next hour.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You can see a sign now. Use going to.
• 4
  You decided last month to learn Spanish. You tell a friend.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You decided before you speak. Use going to.
• 5
  A friend says she is cold. You offer your jacket.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You offer when you speak. Use will.
• 6
  You give your opinion about prices next year.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — An opinion about the future uses will.
• 7
  A boy is on a high wall. He is losing his balance.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You can see a sign now. Use going to.
• 8
  A waiter asks what you want. You choose the soup now.

  be going to will

  ✓ Correct — You choose when you speak. Use will.

Type going to or will. Use the verb given.

• 1
  We booked tickets last week. We to Italy in June. (fly)
• 2
  “I’m cold.” “I the window.” (close)
• 3
  Look at the sky. It ! (rain)
• 4
  I think the team the final. (win)
• 5
  “We have no milk.” “I some.” (buy)
• 6
  She decided last year. She a new job next week. (start)
• 7
  Watch out! The box ! (fall)
• 8
  I believe cities bigger. (become)

Type the negative form of going to or will. Use the verb given.

• 1
  We decided last week. We the house. (not sell)
• 2
  “Keep it secret.” “OK. I anyone.” (not tell)
• 3
  I think he the job. (not get)
• 4
  Look! He the ball. (not catch)
• 5
  She already said no. She to the party. (not come)
• 6
  “Be on time.” “OK. I late.” (not be)
• 7
  Look at the clear sky. It today. (not rain)
• 8
  They decided last year. They here. (not stay)

Type the missing words of speaker B’s question. Use the words given.

• 1
  A: We bought a new couch.
  B: Where put it? (you)
• 2
  A: Look at the dark clouds!
  B: rain? (it)
• 3
  A: Tom quit his job last week.
  B: What do now? (he)
• 4
  A: Experts say the oceans will get warmer.
  B: How warm get? (they)
• 5
  A: I think our team is good.
  B: the final? (they / win)
• 6
  A: We rented a house at the beach.
  B: How long stay? (you)
• 7
  A: The exam is tomorrow. I’m nervous.
  B: hard, do you think? (it / be)
• 8
  A: Look! That boy is on the wall.
  B: fall? (he)

Click the form that completes the sentence.

• 1
  “The phone is ringing.” “I it.”

  will get am going to get

  ✓ Correct — You decide when you speak. Use will.
• 2
  We booked the hotel last week. We in July.

  will travel are going to travel

  ✓ Correct — You decided before you speak. Use going to.
• 3
  Look at those clouds! It .

  is going to rain will rain

  ✓ Correct — You can see a sign now. Use going to.
• 4
  I believe cities cleaner.

  will become becomes

  ✓ Correct — An opinion about the future uses will + base verb.
• 5
  “We have no milk.” “I some.”

  am going to buy will buy

  ✓ Correct — You decide when you speak. Use will.
• 6
  She decided last year. She a doctor.

  will become is going to become

  ✓ Correct — She decided before. Use going to.
• 7
  Watch out! The box !

  will fall is going to fall

  ✓ Correct — You can see a sign now. Use going to.
• 8
  “I’m cold.” “I you a jacket.”

  will bring am going to bring

  ✓ Correct — You offer when you speak. Use will.

Read each question. Choose the sentence that matches.

• Going to: a plan you made before you speak.
• Going to: a sign you can see now.
• Will: a decision, offer, or promise you make now.
• Will: an opinion about the future.
• Test: before? sign? now? opinion? Stop at the first yes.
• Never use will and going to together: not “I will going to.”

✓ Mark this lesson complete