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English grammar

Choosing between will, going to and -ing

B1 · Intermediate Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

English has no single future tense; it has three ways of looking forward and you choose by what you mean. will is for a decision made as you speak, an offer, a promise or a neutral prediction: I will get it. going to is for an intention you already had, or a prediction with evidence in front of you: Look at those clouds — it is going to rain. The present continuous is for an arrangement with another person, already fixed in the diary: I am seeing the doctor at four. All three can be right about the same event; they say different things about it.

Pattern

will + base (decide now) · be going to + base (already intended) · be + -ing (arranged)

Examples

  1. That is the door — I will get it.

  2. We are going to look for a bigger flat.

  3. I am meeting the landlord on Thursday.

  4. Be careful — you are going to drop it.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I think it will rain — look at that sky.

    Right: I think it is going to rain — look at that sky.

    With evidence in front of you, going to is the natural choice.

  • Wrong: The phone is ringing. I am going to answer it.

    Right: The phone is ringing. I will answer it.

    A decision taken this second takes will.

  • Wrong: I will meet Sara at six; we arranged it yesterday.

    Right: I am meeting Sara at six; we arranged it yesterday.

    An arrangement already made with someone takes the present continuous.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Wait — I am carrying that for you.
    2. Wait — I carry that for you.
    3. Wait — I am going to carry that for you.
    4. Wait — I will carry that for you.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Wait — I will carry that for you.

    An offer made on the spot takes will.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She will start a course in September, she decided months ago.
    2. She is going to start a course in September.
    3. She is go to start a course in September.
    4. She starts to a course in September.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She is going to start a course in September.

    A plan decided some time ago takes going to.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I am going to flying to Rome on Monday.
    2. I will fly to Rome on Monday, the ticket is booked.
    3. I am flying to Rome on Monday.
    4. I fly to Rome on Monday by arrangement with a friend.
    Show answer

    Answer: C I am flying to Rome on Monday.

    A booked flight is a fixed arrangement, so the present continuous.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I think prices are rising next year.
    2. I think prices will rise next year.
    3. I think prices will to rise next year.
    4. I think prices rise next year.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I think prices will rise next year.

    A neutral prediction with no evidence in front of you takes will.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    Do not worry, I _____ tell anyone.

    1. will not
    2. am not going to have
    3. am not will
    4. do not going to
    Show answer

    Answer: A Do not worry, I will not tell anyone.

    A promise made now takes will.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    She has bought the paint — she _____ decorate the hall.

    1. is going
    2. will to
    3. is going to
    4. goes to
    Show answer

    Answer: C She has bought the paint — she is going to decorate the hall.

    The paint is the evidence of an intention already formed.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    We _____ the new neighbours for dinner on Saturday.

    1. have
    2. are having
    3. will have had
    4. are going to having
    Show answer

    Answer: B We are having the new neighbours for dinner on Saturday.

    The invitation is out, so it is an arrangement.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    Look out — that shelf _____ fall.

    1. is
    2. goes to
    3. will be
    4. is going to
    Show answer

    Answer: D Look out — that shelf is going to fall.

    Evidence you can see right now takes going to.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    I am seeing the dentist on Tuesday

    Show answer

    Answer: I am seeing the dentist on Tuesday.

    An appointment is an arrangement: be + -ing.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    They are going to sell the house

    Show answer

    Answer: They are going to sell the house.

    going to + the base verb for an existing intention.

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