When to use "will" and when to use "going to"

Talking about the future in English requires a clear understanding of the subtle differences between "will" and "going to." While both phrases predict future events, they are used in slightly different contexts. Let’s take a closer look at each term.

Will

In its future tense form, "will" is particularly useful for expressing decisions made on the spot, signifying choices made without prior planning.

For instance, when someone decides to get a drink because they just realized they are thirsty, they might say, "I will get a drink," indicating a decision made at that moment.

This use of "will" extends to instant reactions, such as answering a phone spontaneously by saying, "I will answer it."

Here are a couple of more examples:

"If it gets hotter, I will buy an air conditioner."

"Considering the situation, I think he will decide to stay."

"I will have the chocolate cake, please."

"Wait! I'll help you pick it up." (I'll being a contraction of "I will")

Beyond quick decisions, "will" is also widely used for predictions that are based on personal opinions or beliefs rather than on current evidence.

For example, a statement like, "I think it will rain tomorrow," showcases "will" in the context of a guess, relying more on personal belief than on immediate, visible signs.

"I will call them if they don't arrive soon."

"She will likely agree to the proposal."

"The team will probably win if they keep their form."

Going to

"Going to" is commonly used in English to express plans that have been thought out beforehand, indicating a higher degree of preparation and certainty compared to "will."

For example, if someone has decided to travel next month and has already made arrangements, they would say, "I am going to travel next month," reflecting a well-planned decision rather than a quick choice.

Here are a few examples of how we use "going to" in a sentence:

"I've booked my tickets. I'm going to fly to Greece this summer."

"Look at those clouds! It's going to rain soon."

"They've been practicing hard. They're going to win the championship."

Additionally, "going to" is the preferred choice for making predictions when there is current evidence or clear signs of a future event. For example,

"Given his grades, he's going to get into a good college."

"With that crack in the wall, the structure is going to need repairs."

"Since we've saved enough, we're going to buy a new car next year."

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