5.2.1: Future- Will or Be Going to
- Page ID
- 271171
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| Will | Be Going To | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| For a decision made at the moment of speaking | Q: What would you like to order? A: I think I will have the chicken. |
For an action planned before the moment of speaking | I am going to buy a car. |
| For a prediction | The teacher will come soon. | For a prediction | The car is going to be expensive. |
| For an offer to help | I will carry this heavy box for you. | For a prediction with evidence (the future that you can see/hear/smell) | You're going to get sick if you eat that spoiled food. |
| For a fact about the future | The next class will be in room 212. | ||
| For a promise | He will call you in 5 minutes. |
Exercise 3.1
Directions: Use "will" or "be going to" to fill in the blank. In some sentences, you can use both.
- I love you very much. I _____________________________ you. (always/love)
- We're hungry. We _____________________________ after class. (get something to eat)
- (A) It's hot in here. (B) I _____________________________ a window. (open)
- People _____________________________ more free time in the next 20 years. (have)
- Marco is tired. He _____________________________ at home tonight. (eat dinner)
- (A): I have to move next Sunday. (B): I _____________________________ you pack. (help)
- Larry left the door open. The cat_____________________________ (get) out!
- I think Americans _____________________________ longer in the future. (live)
- (A): I don't want to cook tonight. (B): Take a break. I _____________________________ tonight. (cook)
- The sky is full of dark clouds. It _____________________________ (rain).
Future Plans-Two Different Ways
As noted in the chart above, In English, there are two common ways to talk about future plans or events:
1. Future plans that are already made use the form: “be going to” + base verb.
- I am going to study in France next year.
- She is going to take a class with that professor next semester.
- Are you going to get a job when you graduate?
2. Facts or promises use the form: “will” + another verb.
- The semester will start on Monday.
- I will call you after class. I promise!
- She will be late to work today.
Directions: Work with a partner to complete the conversation using the future tense. Think carefully about which form to use. Then practice reading the conversation together.
A: Hey! _____________________________________________________( you / study) here next semester?
B: Hey! No, _______________________________________________(I / plan) to study here because I have a job offer.
A: Cool! When ______________________________________________________________(you / start) the job?
B: ________________________________________________________________________(I /start) next April.
A: Where is the job?
B: _________________________________________________________________(the job/ be) in San Francisco.
A: Wow! That’s great! I hope it is a good job.
B: Thanks!! Me too!
Follow-Up Activity
With your partner, create a new conversation that is similar to this conversation by changing some of the information. Read the conversation to your class.
Videos and Other Resources
Watch this video to learn more about future tenses...
Watch this video and this video about future time clauses...
Writing
Practice Using the Future Tenses
Read the article "Five Things That Will Make You Happier" by Clara Moskowitz
Make a plan to boost your happiness for the rest of the semester. What do you plan to do? How do you predict it will help? How certain are you about the results? Write a paragraph using future tenses to explain your plans.
Some content on this page from Grammar Slides for English Learners (Ferguson) is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sara Ferguson.