Elementary 📐 Grammar · #48 of 305

Will vs Going To

Will = spontaneous decision; going to = prior plan.

Examples

  • The phone's ringing. I'll get it.
  • I'm going to visit Rome.

Key rules

  • will is for sudden decisions made while speaking
  • going to is for plans made before speaking
  • going to is also for predictions based on present evidence
  • will is for general predictions and promises

Common mistakes

  • I will meet him tomorrow at 6 (already arranged) → I'm going to meet him tomorrow
  • Look, it will rain → Look, it is going to rain
💡 Tip: Ask: was the plan made before now? If yes, use going to.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Elementary quiz
← Future with WillPresent Continuous for Future →

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Use continuous for background; simple for interrupting events.