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Study page - will / going to


Structure of future simple

I'll (I will) be there tomorrow.

I won't (will not) be there tomorrow.       

Will you be there tomorrow?


Structure of 'going to' future

I'm (I am) going to take my holidays in August. 

I'm (I am) not going to take a holiday this year.    

Are you going to take a holiday?

He's (he is) going to watch TV this evening.

He isn't (is not) going to watch TV this evening.

Is he going to watch TV this evening?


Future simple - common mistakes

Common mistakes

Correct version

Why?

- The phone's ringing.
- OK, I'm going to answer it.

Ok -I'll answer it.

If the action is decided at the moment of speaking, we use will / will not (won't).

I'm sure he is going to help you.

I'm sure he will help you.

When we say what we think or expect, we use will (won't).

I promise I'm going to help.

I promise I'll help.

After promise we usually use will.

I'll call you when I'll come to my office.

I'll call you when I come to my office.

When we refer to the future in adverbial clauses, we normally use present simple (after when, as soon as, until).

If you will give me your address, I'll send you a postcard.

If you give me your address, I'll send you a postcard.

When we refer to the future in conditional clauses, we normally use the present simple.

I can't see you next week. I will return to Paris.

I can't see you next week. I am returning/am going to return to Paris.

To show that the decision was made in the past, we use the present continuous or the 'going to' future.


'going to' for future- common mistakes

Common mistakes

Correct version

Why?

You know that I'll buy a new car, don't you?

You know that I am going to buy a new car, don't you?

We use going to for a future action that has been decided before the time of speaking.

Look! You will drop your books.

Look! You are going to drop your books.

We use going to if we see (and are sure) that the action will happen.


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