When we want to speak in the future tense in English, we are faced with different verb tenses that we can use, the most common being will and be going to. But how can we know which one to use in each case? In this article we reveal all the secrets and tricks so that you can know which future verb form to use on each occasion. Let’s get started!
Expressing the future in English
When we want to express a future situation in English, we can use the future simple and continuous, or the future perfect and future perfect continuous. When we speak in the simple future, the forms be going to and will are the most used. However, there are some nuances that differentiate the two.
Differences in use
We use the form be going to to describe future plans, i.e., those that have been previously decided at the time of speaking, for example:
- I am going to sell my car. I am going to sell my car.
- I am going to watch TV tonight. I will watch TV tonight.
We can also use the form be going to to draw attention to something that will happen at the moment we are speaking:
- Be careful! The door is going to hurt your hand. Watch out! The door will hurt your hand.
The form will, on the other hand, is used to express spontaneity, that is, to talk about decisions we have made at that precise moment.
- I’m very tired. I think I will take a nap. I am very tired. I think I’ll take a nap.
Likewise, we also use will to make promises, predictions, obvious facts about the future and voluntary actions. Let’s take a look at it:
To make promises:
- I promise i will call when i arrive. I promise I will call when I get there
To make predictions based on experience and opinion:
- It will be an awesome trip. It will be a fantastic trip.
Obvious facts about the future:
- If you study, you will pass the exams. If you study, you will pass your exams.
Voluntary actions:
- Will you help me clean? Will you help me clean up?
In the case of predictions, you should know that going to can also be used for them. However, these must be based on current evidence, so we cannot confuse the two cases:
- Look at the sky. It is going to rain. Look at the sky. It’s going to rain.
We can make this prediction based on the state of the sky at the current time only. On the other hand, if we say:
- I think Barça will win the match. I think Barça will win the match.
We use the will form, because we rely on previous experiences and also express our opinion.
Forms of will and be going to
Grammatically, both verb forms present differences in conjugation, as well as in writing.
Usually, will is contracted with the pronoun of the sentence, that is, with the person who performs the action.
- I’ll be there for you. I will be there for you.
- I promise i’ll help you later. I promise I will help you later.
In the case of going to, we find the contraction gonna, which is usually used in more informal situations:
- She’s gonna fly to London. She will fly to London.
- I’m gonna make a cake. I will make a cake.
