WHAT'S THE
DIFFERENCE? 'WILL' AND 'BE GOING TO'
|
Will +
infinitive |
Be going to
+ infinitive |
|
A decision at the moment of speaking:
Julie: There's no milk. John:
Really? In that case, I'll go and get some. |
A decision
before the moment of speaking:
Julie: There's no milk. John: I
know. I'm going to go and get some when this TV programme finishes. |
|
A prediction based on opinion:
I think
the Conservatives will win the next election. |
A prediction based on something we can see (or hear)
now:
The
Conservatives are going to win the election. They already have most of the
votes. |
|
A future
fact:
The sun will rise tomorrow. |
|
|
For promises / requests / refusals / offers:
I'll help
you tomorrow, if you like. |
|
More examples:
●
(The phone
rings)
●
Julie: I'll get it! ('I'm going to
get it' is very strange, because it makes us think that Julie knew the phone
was going to ring before it did).
●
I'm going to go on holiday next week. ('I'll go on holiday next week' makes it sound like you've only just
decided at that minute. Of course, this is possible, but normally we plan our
holidays more in advance!).
Other points about the future:
We use the present continuous tense for definite future arrangements. Often, it doesn't
really matter if we choose 'be going to' or the present continuous. In the
following example, there is really very little difference in meaning:
●
I'm
going to the cinema tonight.
●
I'm
going to go to the cinema tonight.
We use the present simple tense in two cases. First, we use it for a timetabled event
in the future, like public transport or the start of a class:
●
My train leaves
at six tonight.
●
His class starts at 9am tomorrow.
Second, we use it after certain words, when the
sentence has a future meaning. These words are: before / after / as soon as / until / when:
●
I'll call you when I get home.
●
She's going to study after she finishes
dinner.
●
Please drink some water as soon as you complete the race.
➤➤Exercise
30. ‘Will’ or ‘be going to’?
1.
A: We don’t have any bread.
B: I know.
I _ get some from
the shop.
2.
A: We don’t have any bread.
B: Really?
I get some from the
shop then.
3.
A: Why do you need to borrow my suitcase?
B: I visit my mother in Scotland next month.
4.
A: I’m really cold.
B: I turn the heating on.
5.
A: Are you going to John’s party tonight?
B: Yes. Are
you going too? I give
you a lift.
6.
A: What are your plans after you leave university?
B: I work in a hospital in Africa. I leave on
the 28th.
7.
(The phone
rings)
A: I _
get it!
8.
A: Are you ready to order?
B: I can’t
decide ... Okay, I have
the steak, please.
9.
A: Are you busy tonight? Would you like to
have coffee?
B: Sorry. I
go to the library. I’ve been
planning to study all day.
10. A: Why
are you carrying a hammer?
B: I put up some pictures.
