Will vs Going To | Differences & Examples
Will (i.e., the simple future tense) and going to (be + going to + infinitive) are two very common future verb forms. They can often be used interchangeably, when a speaker might decide to use one rather than the other simply for variety or out of personal preference. In other contexts, they convey subtle differences in meaning that determine the choice.
In informal speech, we often use the contractions “I’ll,” “she’ll,” “they’ll,” etc. in the simple future tense.
QuillBot’s free Paraphrasing Tool can suggest alternatives to “will” and “going to” for future time references.
Don’t worry; I’m going to do it today.
It’ll probably rain in April.
My app says it’s gonna rain later today.
I’ll help you with your homework a bit later, OK?
I can’t do it right away; I’m going to help Emma with her homework now.
When to use will
We use the “will future” (aka simple future tense) when expressing spontaneous decisions and making plans and predictions, as well as for making announcements and referring to plans in formal contexts.
Simple future for offers
You can use the simple future tense in everyday situations when making spontaneous decisions, offers of help, and suggestions.
Restaurant customer: Thank you.
Server: What can I get you to drink?
Customer: I’ll have a sparkling water, please.
However, while questions with “shall I” and “shall we” are very common in British English, they’re less common in the U.S., where alternative constructions are often used to perform the same function (e.g., “Do you want to catch a movie?” “Can I take your coat?” or “Should we order pizza?”).
Simple future in formal contexts
In formal contexts, the simple future tense is frequently used to refer to future plans and announce decisions.
In legal texts, shall can express obligation in positive statements (the affirmative), meaning “must” or “have to.”
The construction work will begin in spring 2026.
The residential lease shall include all notices required by applicable local administrative codes.
Simple future for making plans
In everyday conversations, we use the simple future tense when we’re in the process of making decisions about future events—often because we’re making plans or arrangements.
Allan: Neither do I. We’ll order another color then.
Kenneth: Shall we catch a movie tonight?
Barbara: Yes! I don’t want to see the romantic comedy, though.
Kenneth: OK, we’ll see the action movie then instead.
When to use going to
We often use the going to future to refer to existing plans and arrangements in everyday conversations.
- Be + going to + bare infinitive (e.g., “We’re going to visit Granddad tomorrow”)
I’m not going to study with Barbara this weekend.
Are you going to study with Barbara this weekend?
We also use the going to future to refer to things that we’ve already decided to do but are not fixed or planned in detail or that we think of as intentions rather than formal arrangements (e.g., everyday tasks that don’t involve organization with other people).
I’m definitely going to see that movie.
Barbara’s going to help me write the cover letter.
I’m going to do a load of whites later.
Are you going to straighten up your bedroom this weekend?
I’m going to finish my English assignment today and do math tomorrow.
Will vs going to
In everyday conversations, we often use the going to future to express that a plan or arrangement has already been made, while we use the will future (future simple tense) when we’re in the process of making the plan or arrangement.
| Will for making plans example | Going to for fixed plans example |
|---|---|
| Kenneth: Are we still going to the movies tonight?
Barbara: Yeah, I’ll pick you up at seven. OK? |
Margaret: Are you going to the movies tonight?
Barbara: Yeah, I’m going to pick Kenneth up at seven. |
Predictions
The will future and going to future are both used for making predictions. The “going to future” is often preferred when we observe evidence suggesting that the thing we’re predicting is already beginning to happen, particularly in informal speech.
We should go soon because it looks like it’s going to rain. [Someone who can see dark clouds when they look out of the window]
We’re going to be late for school! [A parent talking to their child who is still in their pyjamas five minutes before they should leave for school]
It’s going to be one of those days. [Someone commenting on their day so far—they dropped an egg while making breakfast, spent ten minutes looking for their house key, and now their car won’t start]
Other future forms
English uses a wide variety of verb forms to refer to future time. In addition to the “will” future tenses and “going to,” these include the present progressive tense and the simple present tense.
Present progressive for future
As well as the “going to” form, we also use the present progressive tense (aka present continuous tense) to talk about future plans and arrangements. The arranged time in the future is typically very clear from the context and is often mentioned in the same sentence.
I’m going to the movies with Barbara and Kenneth this weekend.
Person A: What are your plans for the summer?
Person B: I’m doing an internship at a marketing company in Chicago.
I’m going to the movies this weekend. [Present progressive for future]
I’m going to go to the movies this weekend. [Going to future]
Present simple for future
We often use the simple present tense (aka present simple tense) to refer to the times of future events or activities that appear on schedules, timetables, itineraries, calendars, and programs.
The bus leaves at 8:00 tomorrow, so please be in the hotel lobby by 7:45.
Our plane lands at 7:05 p.m.
I had a look at the itinerary, and we spend the first three nights at the same hotel.
We don’t use the “will” future tenses or “going to.”
- Don’t serve the dessert until everyone has finished the main course. [Present perfect]
- Don’t serve the dessert until everyone will have finished the main course.
- Don’t serve the dessert until everyone is going to have finished the main course.
- Everything needs to be ready before the guests get here. [Simple present]
- Everything needs to be ready before the guests will get here.
- Everything needs to be ready before the guests are going to get here.
- It’s fine to call me when I’m working tomorrow. [Present progressive]
- It’s fine to call me when I will be working tomorrow.
- It’s fine to call me when I am going to be working tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions about will vs going to
- What does gonna mean?
-
Gonna is an informal alternative to going to used in everyday speech (e.g., “I think it’s gonna rain today”).
You can use QuillBot’s free Paraphrasing Tool in various different modes, including “formal,” “academic,” and “creative,” to help you strike the right tone.
