will
We use will to talk about spontaneous plans decided at the moment of speaking.
Oops, I forgot to phone Mum! I'll do it after dinner.
I can't decide what to wear tonight. I know! I'll wear my green shirt.
There's no milk. I'll buy some when I go to the shops.
where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use WILL:
1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)
This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.
I'll buy one for you too.
I think I'll try one of those. (I just decided this right now)
2. When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)
My team will not win the league this season.
I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.
Note: You can use both Will and Going to for making future predictions.
3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.
I'll give you a discount if you buy it right now.
I promise I will behave next time.
I'll take you to the movies if you'd like.
4. You use WON'T when someone refuses to do something.
I told him to take out the trash but he won't do it.
My kids won't listen to anything I say.
My car won't start.
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going to
We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking.
I'm going to phone Mum after dinner. I told her I'd call at 8 o'clock.
I'm going to wear my black dress tonight.
I'm going to go to the supermarket after work. What do we need?
The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of connection to
the present. We use it in the following situations:
1. When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)
The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.
They're going to retire to the beach - in fact they have already bought a little beach house.
I'm going to accept the job offer.
2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)
Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.
I think it is going to rain - I just felt a drop.
I don't feel well. I think I'm going to throw up. (throw up = vomit)
3. When something is about to happen:
Get back! The bomb is going to explode.
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Present continuous
We usually use the present continuous when the plan is an arrangement – already confirmed with at
least one other person and we know the time and place.
I'm meeting Jane at 8 o'clock on Saturday.
We're having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?
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We can use the future continuous (will/won't be + -ing form) to talk about future actions that:
will be in progress at a specific time in the future:
When you come out of school tomorrow, I'll be boarding a plane.
Try to call before 8 o'clock. After that, we'll be watching the match.
You can visit us during the first week of July. I won't be working then.
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We use the future perfect simple (will/won't have + past participle) to talk about something that will be
completed before a specific time in the future.
The guests are coming at 8 p.m. I'll have finished cooking by then.
I won't have written all the reports by next week.
By the time we arrive, the kids will have gone to bed.
I'll have finished in an hour and then we can watch a film.
In three years' time, I'll have graduated from university.
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In the future perfect continuous, the future perfect activity will be in progress for a duration of time. By
using the continuous tense, we emphasize the duration of an activity that happened in a progressive
(rather than sudden) way.
By 3:00, they will have been studying for four hours.
By the end of the summer, I will have been saving money for five months.
By the time we finish the race, we will have been running for two hours.
By the time he retires, he will have been working for 45 years.