Will vs going to: What is the difference & how to use them?

In English we can talk about future actions in several different ways, but we most often use will or going to; both forms of the future simple tense.

But when you’re learning English, it’s easy to confuse these two future tense forms. You might find it difficult to know the difference between will vs going to, and when to use each one.

In this article we will explain how to form sentences with will and going to. We’ll also look at how you decide when to use will or going to in a particular context.

Using will vs going to correctly

First, let’s look at how to form sentences about the future with will vs going to.

Forming sentences using will

The future simple tense using will is formed like this:

SUBJECT + WILL + BASE VERB

The negative:

SUBJECT + WILL NOT + BASE VERB

And questions:

WILL + SUBJECT + BASE VERB

Here are some example sentences using will:

I will cook dinner tonight
They’ll call us when they’ve finished.*
She won’t pass this test.*
Will you be home by 10 tonight?

Forming sentences using going to

The future simple tense using going to is formed like this:

SUBJECT + ‘BE’ + GOING TO + BASE VERB

The negative:

SUBJECT + ‘BE’ + NOT GOING TO + BASE VERB

And questions:

‘BE’ + SUBJECT + GOING TO + BASE VERB

I’m going to buy a new car next week.*
He’s going to be very tired this evening.*
We’re not going to have time to come to your party.*
Are you going to help me with the housework?
Is Thomas going to clear all this paperwork by tomorrow?

*You can see several examples of will and be being contracted here. This article explains more about using contractions in writing.

One verb that can’t be used in these structures is can; it’s incorrect to say “By the time I’m 40, I will can speak English fluently”, for example. In this case, we’d use be able to instead: “By the time I’m 40, I will be able to speak English fluently”.

Can is often used in the simple present to suggest or give permission for a future action. For example:

You can go and play with your friends when you’ve finished your homework.
We can all meet at the theater at 6:30.
They can leave as soon as the last customer is served.

How do you know whether to use will or going to?

Now that you know how to form these future tense sentences correctly, the question remains of when to use will or going to.

Will is mainly used for…

1. A spontaneous decision

I’ll come shopping with you.
We’ll all go together.

2. A promise for the future

I’ll be home by 10.
I won’t drink tonight.
Mum will buy you a toy if you behave well today.

3. An opinion, uncertainty, assumption, or hope about the future

(using words like definitely, probably, perhaps, maybe, I think, I hope, I’m sure and I’m certain):

I’m sure they’ll have a great time.
Do you think we’ll have enough food for the party?
He’ll probably meet his friends after school.
I hope it won’t rain tomorrow.
Maybe I’ll go camping sometime this summer.

Note that we can’t use the verb ‘wish’ with future tenses, but there are other ways to talk about wishes for the future.

4. A fact about the future that can’t change or be influenced

The test will begin in five minutes.
The ferry will arrive at 15:20.

You might also wonder about the difference between shall and will, as ‘shall’ can be used in some sentences in place of ‘will’.

Going to is mainly used for…

1. An action in the future that has already been planned or prepared

I’m going to finish tidying the house and then relax.
We’re all going to watch a movie tonight.
Are you going to give a presentation at the conference?

2. A prediction based on the current situation

Look at the sky! I’m sure it’s going to rain.
You’re going to have trouble getting to work in this traffic.
This report is 2 days late, my boss is not going to be happy.

To wrap up: going to vs will

Hopefully now you have a better understanding of the difference between will and going to. Knowing these rules should make it easier for you to decide whether to use will or going to in a given situation. You also know how to correctly structure sentences in the future tense with these words.

For more ways to talk about the future in English, check out these future idioms and phrases.

And, if you’re still unsure about anything relating to this topic, you are welcome to leave a comment below.

Will vs going to: Understand the difference and use them correctly