Two ways to talk about tomorrow. When to use 'will' and when to use 'going to'.
“Tomorrow does not exist yet. But in language, we shape it with two small phrases: 'I will' and 'I am going to'. They look similar. They are not the same.”
A student once asked me, 'Mr. Gee, what is the difference between I will and I am going to?'
I said: 'Look outside.' We looked. Dark clouds were coming. I said, 'It is going to rain.' (I see the clouds. I have evidence. It is a prediction based on what I see.)
Then she said, 'Oh, I forgot my umbrella!' I smiled and said, 'I will lend you mine.' (I decided this just now, in this moment. No plan.)
That is the rule, in one example. 'Going to' = plan or prediction with evidence. 'Will' = decision made right now, or a promise.
Use 'will' for:
1. Decisions made at the moment of speaking: 'I will help you.' 'I will have the chicken, please.'
2. Promises: 'I will not forget.' 'I will call you tomorrow.'
3. Predictions without evidence (a guess): 'I think it will be a good year.'
4. Offers: 'I will carry that for you.'
Short form: I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, we'll, they'll. Negative: won't (will not).
Use 'going to' for:
1. Plans you made BEFORE the conversation: 'I am going to study tonight.' (you already decided)
2. Predictions based on evidence: 'Look at those clouds, it is going to rain.'
Both are correct: 'I will travel next year' and 'I am going to travel next year'. Native speakers use them somewhat interchangeably for general future. But for plans and evidence, 'going to' sounds more natural.
Click “Translate” below if you need any word in your own language.
Used to talk about the future, decisions made now, or promises.
I will help you.
Short form of 'will not'.
He won't be late.
Used for plans or predictions with evidence.
I am going to travel tomorrow.
The day after today.
See you tomorrow.
In a short time.
I will see you soon.
After this time.
I will call you later.
The one after this. Goes with week/month/year.
Next week I am free.
Some languages use one word for future (e.g. Japanese, Mandarin do not have tense changes). In English we choose between 'will' and 'going to'. When unsure, 'going to' is safer for plans, 'will' is safer for promises.
Try these on paper or out loud. Mr. Gee's rule: practice today, do not save it for tomorrow.
WILL = decision now, promise, prediction (guess). GOING TO = plan made before, prediction with evidence. When in doubt, both are usually acceptable.
Read aloud every day. Even if it sounds funny. Your tongue needs practice.
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