A2 Elementary Future forms and the first conditional
will vs be going to
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can choose between will and be going to — two futures that Vietnamese merges into one word.
When to use it
- will: decisions made while speaking, opinion-based predictions, promises.
- be going to: plans decided beforehand, and predictions with visible evidence.
- Both are future — they differ in when you decided and what you base it on.
Form
| will | be going to | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | will + base verb | am/is/are going to + verb |
| When is the decision made | at the moment of speaking | before the moment of speaking |
| Based on | feelings, opinions | evidence, preparations |
| Example | I'll get the door. | I'm going to paint my room. |
Step by step
- Ask: did you decide just now or earlier?
- Just now → will.
- Already planned or prepared → be going to.
- For predictions: is there visible evidence? Yes → be going to. Just an opinion → will.
One situation, two versions
| Situation | Correct sentence | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The phone rings and you get up to answer it | I'll answer it. | a decision made on the spot |
| You bought the ticket yesterday | We're going to see a film. | a plan already made |
| Dark clouds are coming | It's going to rain. | visible evidence |
| You guess your team will win | I think we'll win. | just a feeling |
Examples
I've bought the tickets — we 're going to see a film tonight.
That bag looks heavy. I 'll carry it for you.
Look at those clouds! It 's going to rain.
I think our team will win, but I'm not sure.
She 's going to study medicine — she has already applied.
Don't worry, I won't forget.
Common mistakes
Look! The car will crash! → Look! The car is going to crash!
With visible evidence use be going to. will is for opinion-based guesses.
I've already decided — I will study abroad. → I've already decided — I'm going to study abroad.
Decided beforehand → be going to. Saying already decided rules out an instant decision.
The phone is ringing. I'm going to answer it. → The phone is ringing. I'll answer it.
Nobody plans to answer a phone before it rings — this is a decision made on the spot.
Memory tip
Try a lead-in: if “I've been planning to…” fits, use be going to. If “OK then, I'll…” fits, use will.
Summary
- will: instant decisions · opinion predictions · promises.
- be going to: existing plans · evidence-based predictions.
- Vietnamese merges both into one word — go by the situation, not the translation.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.