Be going to Vs will - bdmclass


WILL VS BE GOING TO

Will and be going to can be both used to talk about plans and predictions. When we want to talk about plans or decisions that have already been made then be going to is used but when the decisions or plans made at the time of speaking then will is used. And the predictions with will and be going to is also different. Be going to is used make a prediction based on evidence or proof. For example, it is very cloudy and windy now. It is going to rain. The evidence in this case is that the sky is dark. Will on the other hand is used to talk about a general prediction about the future without concrete evidence. For instance, doctors will be able to heal all kinds of diseases in the future. There is no concrete evidence it is just based of the speaker's opinion and some unreliable sources. 

GOING TO

Future plan : Be going to use to talk about the future plans that have already been made that mean the speaker is certain about his or her plans. 

Sub + be + going to + base verb.
  • We are going to have a party this weekend. (We planned it already.) 
  • They are going to get married next year. ( They planned about their marriage already.)
  • He’s going to visit Angkor Wat next week.
  • They aren’t going to play soccer this weekend.
  • I am going to go to university when I finished grade 12.
  • My dad is going to buy a new house next month.
  • This weekend, I and my wife are going to visit my hometown.

Prediction (with evidence) : Be going to can also be used to make a prediction that is based on concrete evidence or proof. It simply means that we see something before we make a prediction so the possibility is pretty high.

Sub + be + going to + base verb.
  • Look! It’s cloudy. It’s going to rain. (Being cloudy is the evidence for the prediction.)
  • He’s very lazy. He’s going to fail his exam. ( Being lazy is the evidence.)
  • She’s very smart. She’s going to pass the exam with excellent grade. (Being smart is the evidence.
  • He is very drunk and driving very fast. He is going to have an accident.
  • The woman is blind and she is walking toward a large hole. She is going to fall into the hole.
  • They have been playing soccer for 3 hours. They are going to be exhausted.
  • Global warming is going to be much worse since people keep on burning more and more fossil fuels.

Yes/ No Question

Be + sub + going to + base verb?
  • Are we going to have a party this weekend?
  • Are they getting married next year?
  • Is he going to visit Angkor Wat next week?
  • Are they going to play soccer this weekend?
  • Is global warming going to be much worse in the next 5 years?
  • Is that woman going to fall into the hole?

Wh-Question / information question

Wh-word + be + going to + base verb....?
  • When are they going to get married?
  • Where is he going to visit next month?
  • Who is going to pass the exam with excellent grade?
  • Which car is your dad going to buy tomorrow?
  • Why are you going to do that?
  • How long is she going to stay in the China?

WILL

Form

Positive: Sub + will + base verb.

Negative: Sub + will not (won't) + base verb.

Yes/No: Will + sub + base verb...?

  • Yes, sub + will.
  • No, sub + won't.

Wh-Question: Wh-word + will + sub + base verb...?

“Will” is used to talk about the future plan or decision made at the time of speaking and it can also be used to talk about the future events or predictions without concrete evidence like “be going to” does. Let’s see the examples below.

I feel sick now. I will leave class early today.

The statement “I will leave class early today.” Is pretty much a decision made at the time of speaking. It is not an arranged plan or decision.

Most people will travel in their own flying cars in the next 20 years.

The example above is actually a talk or prediction about the future which has no concrete information for evidence hence it’s less likely.

Examples

Positive form of will is basically the subject + will + base verb and the question is simply adding not after modal verb “will” and to make question, we simply invert the subject and the modal verb “will”. See a set of examples below.
  • I will go with you on the camping trip if I am free. (A decision made at the time of speaking- positive)
  • The future transportation will improve a lot in the next 50 years. (Future prediction – positive)
  • They won’t do the presentation today. ( A decision made at the time of speaking – negative)
  • Will you go out and eat something with me now? (A decision made at the time of speaking – yes/no question)
  • What will you do if I give you a million dollars? (A decision made at the time of speaking – wh-question)

Exercise 

Complete the following sentences using "will" or "going to". 

1. I can't climb this tree. 
        Don't worry. ____________ help you.
2. They have made a decision.
        They  ____________  lose weight next year.
3. What are you going to do this evening?
        I don't know. Maybe  ____________  play golf.
4. This shirt is really nice but I think it
        ____________  be very expensive.
5. Hey! The phone is ringing!
        Alright. ____________  take it.
6. Where are you going?
        We  ____________  play basketball.
7. We have bought Lucy a book.
        Do you think she  ____________  read it?
8. Why are you wearing sunglasses?
        Because  ____________  go to the beach.
9. It's starting to rain!
        Ok. ____________   take an umbrella
10.  I feel hungry now. _____________ you go and find something to eat with me? 

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