Will vs Going To - What's the Difference?
“Will” and “Going To” both talk about the future and they both have different uses, but also some similarities. Let’s look at them in some more detail now.
Tomorrow I will go to the park
Tomorrow I am going to the park
| Uses | Will + Base form verb | To be + going to + Base form verb |
|---|---|---|
| Predictions | It will rain tomorrow | It is going to rain tomorrow |
| Plans made in advance | I am going to go hiking on Saturday | |
| Evidence now of something happening in the future | I have seen the polls, and it looks like Trump is going to win the election again. | |
| Instant or spontaneous decisions | I will go hiking on Saturday (I just thought about it) | |
| Facts that will happen in the future | I will sleep tonight. After 7, it will get dark. | |
| Promising, requesting, offering, refusing | I will help you move house. I promise I will never hurt you. I will not help you. | I'm not going to hurt you (sounds like a plan – they were expecting you to hurt them!) I'm not going to help you (this was my plan the whole time) |
⭐️ Transcript
Preview: Let's take a look at the transcript to improve our vocabulary and listening skills. Watch the live transcript below or click to open in a new window.
Key phrases with natural examples, ability to search for text, PDF copies too.
Do you have any future plans?
Comment your thoughts using 'going to' or 'will' below.
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Mr. Michael, I just want to say “thank you very much for all your efforts.” I really feel happy whenever I listen to your podcast.
Now, I will write my answer regarding your question: “I am going to write my first story this weekend.”
Thanks so much, Zahra! Please to hear you like the podcast 🙂 And perfect sentence as well!
Hello Michael, it’s my again. I just came to say that I still listen to your podcasts from 1st episode, now as you can see I’m on 40. (I can leave more comments if you want to check my presence 😉 ) I want to thank you very much for this episode, ‘will and to be going to’ can be difficult for learners – it is for me. Your explanation help me a little bit. I think I need to listen to it a couple more times and then ‘will/to be going to’ will have no secrets from me 🙂 Thank you once again.
I’m going to a concert at the weekend – that’s my answer for your question – is it correct?
Have a great week, see you next time
Hi Aneta. That’s fantastic! Well done on your commitment to listening to so many episodes. Quite soon, you’re going to reach the point where I switched from “English with Michael” to “Level Up English” (I’m not sure how obvious it will be though because the intro music has been changed).
“I’m going to a concert at the weekend” sounds great! Good job