UNIT 23. I will and I'm going to

A. Future actions

Study the difference between will and going to:

Sue is talking to Helen:

SUE: Let's have a party

HELLEN: That's a great idea. We'll invite lots of people.

will ('ll): We use will when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. The speaker has not decided before. The party is a new idea.

Later that day, Helen meets Dave:

HELLEN: Sue and I have decided to have a party. We're going to invite lots of people.

going to: We use (be) going to when we have already decided to do something. Helen had already decided to Invite lots of people before she spoke to Dave.

Compare:

* 'George phoned while you were out.' 'OK. I'll phone him back.'

but * 'George phoned while you were out.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to phone him back.'

* 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Oh really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'

but * 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her tomorrow.'

B. Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

Sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to. For example, you can say:

* I think the weather will be nice later.

* I think the weather is going to be nice later.

When we say 'something is going to happen', we know (or think) this because of the situation now. For example:

* Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (not 'it will rain' - we can see the clouds now)

* I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (not 'I think I'll be sick' - I feel terrible now)

Do not use will in situations like these. (See also Unit 20C.)

In other situations, it is safer to use will:

* Tom will probably arrive at about 8 o'clock.

* I think Ann will like the present we bought for her.

EXERCISES

Complete the sentences using will ('ll) or going to.

1. A: Why are you turning on the television?

B: I'm going to watch the news. (I/watch)

2. A: Oh, I've just realised. I haven't got any money.

B: Haven't you? Well, don't worry. --- you some. (I/lend)

3. A: I've got a headache.

B: Have you? Wait there and --- an aspirin for you. (I/get)

4. A: Why are you filling that bucket with water?

B: --- the car. (I/wash)

5. A: I've decided to repaint this room.

B: Oh, have you? What colour --- it? (you/paint)

6. A: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?

B: Yes, --- something for dinner. (I/buy)

7. A: I don't know how to use this camera.

B: It's quite easy. --- you. (I/show)

8. A: What would you like to eat?

B: --- a sandwich, please. (I/have)

9. A: Did you post that letter for me?

B: Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot --- it now. (I/do)

10. A: The ceiling in this room doesn't took very safe, does it?

B: No, it looks as if --- down. (it/fall)

11. A: Has George decided what to do when he leaves school?

B: Oh, yes. Everything is planned. --- a holiday for a few weeks and then --- a computer programming course. (he/have, he/do)

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