Tense Contrasts

Will vs. Going To

Practice choosing between "will" and "going to" in context.

Future with Will →Future with Going To →

The Core Decision

Use 'going to' for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on present evidence you can see. Use 'will' for instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, offers, promises, and predictions based on opinion or belief.

Side by Side

	Future with Will	Future with Going To
Use when	An instant decision, an offer, a promise, or a prediction based on opinion or belief.	A plan or intention already decided, or a prediction based on present evidence you can see.
Signal words	I think, probably, maybe, I promise, I'll (sudden decision), perhaps	look at those clouds, already planned, we've decided, the schedule says
Example	The phone's ringing. I'll get it.	Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.

Common Confusions

Using 'will' for an already-made plan: say "I'm going to visit my aunt this weekend" (decided earlier), not "I will visit my aunt this weekend," if it's a fixed plan.
Using 'going to' for an on-the-spot decision: when you decide while speaking, use 'will' — "That bag looks heavy. I'll carry it for you."
For predictions, use 'going to' when there's visible evidence now ("She's going to have a baby"), but 'will' for a guess or belief ("I think she'll be a great mother").

Practice

Look at those dark clouds! It ___ rain any minute.

The phone is ringing. Don't worry, I ___ answer it.

We've already decided: we ___ paint the house blue this summer.

This bag is so heavy. — Here, I ___ carry it for you.

I bought the tickets last week; we ___ see the concert on Friday.

I think our team ___ win the championship this year.

Be careful! You ___ drop those plates!

Don't worry about the deadline. I promise I ___ finish it on time.

We've planned everything; westart our own business next year.

It's cold in here. —close the window.

Generate 5 more practice questions

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Past Simple vs. Past Continuous