Will vs Going to — Plans, Decisions & Promises

B1 — grammar, listening, reading, writing

Sofía: In December I'm going to travel to Cartagena. Tickets: bought. Hotel: booked. Spreadsheet: ready.

Ben: Sounds fun! You know what? I'll go with you! Decided. Just now.

Kenji: And that is exactly the difference. Sofía planned it — Ben just decided it this second.

Abuela Carmen: And I will always be here waiting... with soup. That's a promise.

Common mistake: “Look at those clouds — it will rain.” — Correct: “Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.”

Use 'going to' for plans you already made and predictions you can see coming; use 'will' for decisions made right now, opinions about the future, and promises.

• I'm going to travel to Cartagena in December — I bought the tickets.
• You know what? I'll go with you! Decided. Just now.
• I think Colombia will win tomorrow.
• Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
• I'll always remember this trip.
• I won't tell anyone. I promise.
• We aren't going to cook tonight; the fridge is empty.
• It won't be easy, but we'll try.
• Will you help me with this exercise?
• What are you going to do in December?
• Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
• Will you come to the party? Yes, I will.
• Are you going to study tonight? No, I'm not.
• Will it rain? I think it will.

Practice

1. The phone is ringing! — Don't worry, I ___ answer it. (will, am going to, going to)
2. Look at those clouds. It ___ rain. (will, is going to, won't)
3. I bought the tickets. We ___ travel in December. (are going to, will, would)
4. I think our team ___ win tomorrow. (is going to, won't, will)
5. 'Will' is used for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
6. 'Going to' is only for predictions without evidence.
7. I promise I ___ (not / tell) anyone.
8. She ___ (be) going to study medicine — she has already chosen the university.
9. You know what? I ___ (help) you right now.
10. Unscramble: I, think, it, will, rain, tomorrow
11. Unscramble: are, you, going, to, tell, her
12. Find the mistake: Look at those clouds — it will rain.
13. Find the mistake: We will to travel in December.
14. Find the mistake: I don't will tell anyone.
15. I will study tonight. — Write the negative form.
16. They are going to move to Cali. — Write the yes/no question.
17. Will you come to my party? — Answer with a short answer (Yes).
18. It's going to rain. — Write the negative form.
19. She won't pass the exam. — Write the affirmative form.
20. Will you practice English tomorrow? (short answer)
21. Are you going to sleep early tonight? (short answer, No)

Listening

Sofía: OK, December trip. I'm going to book the boat tour tomorrow.

Ben: I'll carry all the bags! I'm strong and reliable.

Kenji: I think you'll drop the bags in the sea, Ben.

Ben: That happened one time!

Abuela Carmen: Children, I'll make the sancocho for the trip. And Ben — you aren't going to carry the pot.

Ben: ...Fair. That's fair.

Reading

Ben's New Year plan, written in his notebook: 'This year is going to be different. I'm going to learn salsa — I have already paid for ten classes. I'm going to save money for a new camera. And I'm not going to lose my phone again.' Under the plan, there is a phone number and a note in different ink: 'Kenji, if you find this notebook, I'll buy you dinner. I lost it on the bus. Again. Some things will never change.'

• Ben is going to learn salsa.
• He has already paid for the classes.
• Ben is going to buy a new phone.
• Kenji wrote the New Year plan.