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A2 (Elementary)Writing

Writing About the Future: Will & Going To

To write about the future, English uses two main forms: be going to and will. Both talk about the future, but we choose them for slightly different reasons. This lesson shows you when to use each so your writing about plans and predictions is clear and natural.

To write about the future, English uses two main forms: be going to and will. Both talk about the future, but we choose them for slightly different reasons. This lesson shows you when to use each so your writing about plans and predictions is clear and natural.

1. Be going to – plans & clear evidence

Use be going to + verb for plans you have already decided, and for predictions based on what you can see now.

Use Example
a decided plan I am going to study medicine.
prediction from evidence Look at the clouds – it is going to rain.

Structure: am/is/are + going to + verb.

2. Will – decisions now, promises & predictions

Use Example
decision at the moment It’s cold. I will close the window.
a promise / offer I will help you with your homework.
prediction / opinion I think it will be a good year.
a future fact She will be twenty next year.

Structure: will + verb (the same for every subject). Negative: won’t (= will not).

3. Quick comparison

Situation Best choice
Plan you decided before be going to
Decision you make right now will
Promise or offer will
You can see it coming be going to
Future time wordsSignals of the future: tomorrow, next week, next year, soon, in the future, tonight, later. In everyday writing, both forms are often possible – do not worry about being perfect; focus on being clear.
Tutor tipRemember that will is followed by the plain verb with no changes: “She will go” – never “will goes” or “will to go.” And in “going to,” do not drop the be verb: it must be “I am going to study,” not “I going to study.” Both forms are correct for most future ideas, so if in doubt, either one usually works.

Examples from EduCareer

  • Emma is going to take her exam next month.
  • James will help Thomas with his essay tonight.
  • I think English will be useful for your career.
Common mistakes

She will goes tomorrow.  →  She will go tomorrow.

I will to help you.  →  I will help you.

I going to study tonight.  →  I am going to study tonight.

He will not comes.  →  He will not (won’t) come.

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.What are the two main future forms?
"be going to" and "will".
2.What follows "will"?
will + plain verb.
3.Which is correct?
will + plain verb: will go.
4.Structure of "be going to"?
am/is/are + going to + verb.
5.Best for a plan decided before: "I ___ study medicine."
A decided plan → be going to.
6.Best for a decision made right now: "It’s cold. I ___ close the window."
On-the-spot decision → will.
7.What is the negative of "will"?
will not = won’t.
8.Which is a promise/offer?
An offer to help → will.
9.Fix: "I going to study tonight."
Don’t drop "am": I am going to study.
10.Prediction from evidence: "Look at the clouds — it ___ rain."
Evidence you can see → be going to.
11.Which future time word is correct?
"next week" points to the future.
12.Fix: "I will to help you."
No "to" after will: will help.
13.Which is correct?
will not + plain verb: come.
14."Emma ___ take her exam next month." (planned)
A plan → is going to.
15."I think English ___ be useful." (opinion)
Prediction/opinion → will.
16.Which sentence is correct?
be going to + plain verb: travel.
17."She ___ twenty next year." (future fact)
A future fact → will be.
18.Which uses "be going to" correctly?
am going to + plain verb: visit.
19.Choose the correct offer.
A spontaneous offer → will.
20.Which sentence is fully correct?
will + plain verb: help.

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