1. Difference future tense use 'will' 'be going to' example
We use 'will' and 'be going to' to talk about the future.
e.g.
i) Subject + will + verb (base form)
e.g. I will make
ii) Subject + 'be going to' + verb (base form)
e.g. I am going to make
2. Do we use 'will' or 'be going to' in the future form? What's the difference?
- We can use both 'will' & 'be going to' for the future. But their uses are quite different.
3. When to use 'will' & 'be going to' for the Future form - Example Situation & Sentence
We can use both 'will' & 'be going to' to talk about 'future' situations but they're slightly different.
The main difference between using 'will' & 'be going to' is:
a) when to use 'will':
- for fact, prediction, something we believe in,
- for plans we aren't sure of and use with words like: maybe, probably, etc.
- when you offer / promise to do something
Future with 'will' - Example Sentence
1. It will rain tonight.
2. Dad will be here soon.
3. I'll make pasta for dinner.
4. We will probably meet again soon.
5. When will I see you again?
b) when to use 'be going to'
- to talk about future plans you've already decided / arranged,
- for something which is going to happen soon.
Future with 'be going to' - Example Sentence
1. Hurry! You are going to miss the train.
2. He's going to meet up with friends this evening.
3. We are going to have dinner with friends at a new restaurant tonight.
4. Take this umbrella with you. It's going to rain anytime soon.
5. My sister is going to have twins.
4. How to Form the Future tense with 'will' & 'be going to'
a) Future with 'will'
- 'be' verb
(Present) (Past) (Future)
is, am, are was, were will be
i) positive & (short form)
- I/ you / we will be ('ll be)
- they / he / she / it will be ('ll be)
ii) negative & (short form)
- I / you / we / they will not be ('ll not be / won't be)
- he /she / it will not be ('ll not be / won't be)
iii) Yes/ No Questions
- Will I / you / we / they be...?
- Will he /she / it be..?
iv) Short answers (positive)
- Yes, I / you / we / they will.
- Yes, he /she / it will.
v) Short answers (negative) + (short form)
- No, I / you / we / they will not (won't).
- No, he /she / it will not (won't).
vi) Wh-Questions
- Where will ...?
- What will ...?
- When will...?
- Who will...?
- How will...?
- 'will' + verb (base form)
e.g. take
i) positive + (short form)
- I / you / we / they will ('ll) take
- he /she / it will ('ll) take
ii) negative + (short form)
- I / you / we / they will not ('ll not / won't) take
- he /she / it will not ('ll not / won't) take
iii) Yes/ No Questions
- Will I / you / we / they take...?
- Will he /she / it take..?
iv) Short answers (positive)
- Yes, I / you / we / they will.
- Yes, he /she / it will.
v) Short answers (negative) + (short form)
- No, I / you / we / they will not (won't).
- No, he /she / it will not (won't).
Grammar Point!
UK English
- We can also say *I shall / *We shall but not for the other pronouns.
See example:
i) positive + (short form)
- I will ('ll) / shall ('ll)
- We will ('ll) / shall ('ll)
ii) negative + (short form)
- I will not (won't) / shall not (shan't)
- We will not (won't) / shall not (shan't)
b) Future with 'going to'
- be going to + verb (base form)
e.g. take
i) positive + (short form)
- I am ('m) going to take
- You / we / they are ('re) going to take
- he /she / it is ('s) going to take
ii) negative + (short form)
- I am not ('m not) going to take
- you / we / they are not ('re not / aren't) going to take
- he /she / it is not ('s not / isn't) going to take
iii) Yes/ No Questions
Am I going to take...?
Are you / we / they going to take ...?
Is he /she / it going to take...?
iv) Short answers (positive)
Yes, I am.
Yes, you / we / they are.
Yes, he /she / it is.
v) Short answers (negative) + (short form)
No, I am not ('m not).
No, you / we / they are not (aren't).
No, he /she / it is not (isn't).
vi) Wh-Questions
- Where / What / When / Who / How + be + going to ...?
Wh-Questions 'be going to' Example Sentence:
i. Where are you going to put these cushions?
ii. When is he going to come home?
iii. How are they going to get there?
iv. Who am I going to call?
v. What is going to happen tomorrow?
Grammar Point!
Time Words / Expressions you can use with the Future form:
e.g. later, tonight, next time etc
TIP! Spoken English Grammar
Practise speaking or reading using the short forms. You'll sound more natural.
5. Compare the verb 'be' in the Past, Present & Future 'will':
Example Sentence (positive)
(Present ) (Past) (Future)
am /is /are was /were will be
1. I'm at the cafe now.
> I was at the cafe 5 minutes ago.
> *I will be / 'll be there in 5 minutes time.
2. You're late again.
> You were late again last evening.
> You will be / 'll be late for work again.
3. We are happy to see you.
> We were happy to see you last year.
> *We will be / 'll be happy to see you again next year.
4. They're here.
> They were here a while ago.
> They will be / 'll be here soon.
6. How to use future 'will' in a sentence + Example Situation
i.We use 'will' for a fact, prediction, something that we believe in:
Example Sentence
form: will + verb (base form)
1. In the future, many people will live on another planet.
2. My mum will be so disappointed with me when I show her my English test results.
3. I'm sure Matt will pass his driving test.
Example Conversation A
3 friends are talking:
Alicia : *Let's have a party tonight.
Lily : Great idea! **I’ll order pizza and fried chicken.
Chris : Ok. I’ll call Freddie and the rest.
Minutes later…
Chris: Freddie and 4 others will be here around 7pm.
Alicia: Right. I’ll make sure we have enough food and drinks.
Grammar Point!
*Let's (let us) - Imperative form with 'let'
**I'll order
- use 'will' when you offer or promise to do something
Example Conversation B
A mother and son are having a conversation before going out for dinner...
Mum: You look pale. Are you OK?
Son: I’ve got a bad headache.
Mum: Can I get you a glass of water?
Son: Yes, please. Thanks, mum.
Mum: Wait here. I'll be right back. Will you be OK? Do you want me to cancel dinner?
Son: No mum, it's your birthday. I think I'll be fine after some food.
Mum: Ok, then. Let's *make a move now. Or we won't make it on time for the theatre.
Grammar Point!
*I've got a headache.
Vocabulary Check!
*make a move (idiom)= to leave
TIP! Better English Speaking Skills
- Say the sentences out loud.
- Or write them down in your notebook.
- Then practise speaking without looking at the text.
- Repeat.
Example Dialogue C
Two old friends are talking ...
Amy : There's a new cafe at the shopping mall. Let's have coffee there this afternoon.
Clara : Sure. My sales meeting with Sarah is at 1. It will probably end around 1.30. I'll see you around 1.45?
Amy : OK. Oh, will you *send my regards to Sarah? I **haven't seen her for quite a while. Tell her I'll contact her one of these days.
Clara : She'll be pleased to hear that.
Amy : I hope so.
Clara : Will you text me the cafe's address?
Amy : Of course. See you later.
Vocabulary Check!
*send my regards (idiom) = to send good wishes to someone
Grammar Point!
- haven't seen her (Present Perfect tense)
ii. We use 'will' for plans we aren't sure of - with words like: maybe, I guess etc:
form: (will + verb) with 'maybe' etc. (we aren't sure of the plans...)
Example Sentence
Woman A:
Oh...I like the blue top. But I like this dress too. Hmm...maybe I'll get both.
Woman B:
Yeah, you do that. You won't regret it.
iii. (will + verb) with "I think"
Example Sentence
A : Do you think Jessie will like the present we got her?
B : I think she'll love it!
Grammar Point!
We often use will in this way:
- I think she'll like it.
- Maybe she won't like it.
- I don't think she'll like it.
We also say:
I suppose…,
I expect…
I guess...she'll probably ...
She probably won't...
Grammar Point!
Note the position of probably:
(positive) - she will /'ll probably
(negative) - she probably will not / won't
i) Quick RECAP!
Let's compare how we use the following:
Present, Past, Future Tenses
Sentence Example:
- Amy works in a boutique. (Present Simple Tense)
She's usually at the shop from 11.00am to 7.00pm.
It's 3.00 pm now.
She's taking her tea break. (Present Continuous)
She'll be back at the shop in half an hour's time. (Future "will" (positive)
Tomorrow, she won't be at the shop. (Future "will not" (negative)
It's her day off.
7. How to use Future 'be going to' in a sentence: Example Situation
We use 'be going to' + verb (basic form) in these 2 situations:
(a) to talk about future plans you've already decided/arranged
e.g. We are going to have dinner with friends at a new restaurant tonight.
(b) for something which is going to happen soon
e.g. Take this umbrella with you. It's going to rain anytime soon.
Let's Compare 'will' and 'be going to' one more time...
Example Sentence A:
"Take an umbrella with you. It's going to rain." (the sky is dark)
*Compare: > It will rain today.
Example Sentence B:
"Hurry up, Justin. It's almost 6.55. You're going to miss your 7 o'clock bus."
*Compare: > You'll miss your bus.
Grammar Point!
Note! We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about future plans already decided /arranged
Example Sentence
i) 'be + going to' e.g. > We are going to have dinner with friends later.
ii) 'present continuous' e.g. > We are having dinner with friends later.
8. Let's Practise!
Follow the Example Conversations A, B, & C below for more 'will' & 'be going to' sentences. You'll get the real feel of how 'will' & 'be going to' sentences are used together between people talking in different situations.
Note also the difference on how and why we use 'will' or 'be going to' in these example sentences...
Example Conversation A
(Say the example sentences out loud.)
Two friends are chatting at the office pantry...
A: Are you going to meet Alice for drinks after work this evening?
B: Yes, I am. But I'll probably leave after one drink. I need to pack.
Tomorrow I'm going to spend the weekend at my parents' place in the country. I'll be back at work next Tuesday.
A: Oh, nice.
B: What about you? Any exciting plans for the weekend?
A: Not really. Ritchie and I are going to stay home. He's going to cook a nice meal and I'm going to do the laundry. We'll probably watch something on Netflix.
B: So, you're going to stay out late tonight?
A: Yeah, but not too late.
B: Have a wonderful time! I'll see you next Tuesday.
A: See you.
English Conversation Practice B
- (be going to, will) - positive /negative with 'probably'
Two close friends, Linda and Jill are having afternoon tea at a local hotel...
(Practise saying the example sentences out loud.)
Linda: Mmm... That cake was so good.
Jill: More tea?
Linda: Yes, please. Thanks. So, are you going to Friday's dinner party at Clara's?
Jill: I’m not sure. I probably won’t go.
Linda: Oh, why not?
Jill: I'll probably finish work late. What about you?
Linda: Maybe I will. Or I won't. I *haven't decided yet.
You know I have an early morning yoga class on Saturdays...
Recap!
Use "will" for plans we aren't sure of and with words like: maybe, I guess etc.
Grammar Point!
- haven't decided yet - Present Perfect Simple (negative form)
TIP! Spoken English Grammar
Notice the short form spelling in the conversation examples. Use them for your speaking practice.
English Conversation Practice C
(Say the example sentences out loud.)
- Two colleagues are chatting during their coffee break about dinner plans for that evening...
Look out for the following sentence structure:
-'be going to' - Yes/ No Question
-Short answer (negative)
-'will' with maybe, I think
Example Sentence
Betsy : So, what are your plans for dinner tonight? Are you going to cook?
Courtney: No, I'm not. Tom's away on a business trip. So, I'm going to make a salad. Maybe I'll warm up some soup. And you?
Betsy: I think I'll just get a roast chicken from the supermarket later. My kids love to have it with rice. I'm always too tired to cook dinner on weeknights.
Courtney: Yeah, so am I. Shall we leave at 6.00? I'm going to the supermarket too, to get some bread. I'll give you a lift.
Learning Tip!
Spoken English Grammar
*Note the conversation between the 2 colleagues, Betsy and Courtney.
Notice that we don't need to use the time expressions all the time in the sentences. Especially when a conversation is flowing. It's understood between the speakers. They're talking about future events happening later in the day.
9. Let's review
1. We've looked at the difference between future tense 'will' & 'be going to' and how to use & form them in example sentences.
2. We can also use the Present Continuous tense or 'be going to' to talk about future plans.
3. In UK English
we also say 'I/We will' or 'I/We *shall' (more formal & less common)
a. We use 'will' to talk about the future in the following situations:
i. fact, prediction, something we believe in:
e.g. It will rain this afternoon.
ii. when you offer/promise to do something:
e.g. I will take him to the clinic later.
iii. for plans we aren't sure of and with words like: maybe, I guess etc.
e.g. Maybe I'll stay home tomorrow.
b. We use 'be going to + verb' for:
i. future plans we've already decided or arranged:
e.g. We are going to have dinner with friends at a new restaurant tonight.
ii. for something which is going to happen very soon
e.g. Watch out! You're going to fall.
10. Your Turn!
Now it's time for your English conversation practice.
Question for you -
i. What are you going to do after this lesson?
ii. What about - Tomorrow? Next weekend? Next year?
Learning Tip!
How to Practise
- Don't forget to practise using will / be going to
- Say each sentence out loud. Or write down each sentence.
Thanks so much for reading & Happy speaking!
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