Will or Going To?

There are two additional ways to talk about the future in English: will/won’t and going to.

Use “going to” for plans and arrangements:

On my next vacation, I’m going to stay in a nice hotel in Paris.
She’s going to look for a new job after her current contract ends.
David’s going to meet me at the airport at 8:00.
We’re going to get married next July.
They’re going to visit Amy next week. They made plans to meet up on Monday.
Peter and Paul are going to share an apartment when they move to New York.

Note: You can also use the present continuous for the future in these cases.

On my next vacation, I’m staying at a nice hotel in Paris.
David’s meeting me at the airport at 8:00.
We’re getting married next July.

Use “will/won’t” for promises:

I‘ll send you an e-mail.
I won’t tell anyone your secret.
He‘ll pay you back tomorrow.
We won’t forget your birthday.

Use “will” for offers:

I‘ll buy you a drink.
My secretary will help you with the paperwork.

Use “will” for decisions made in that moment:

“Would you like potatoes or rice?”
“I‘ll have the rice.”
”Which shirt do you like?”
“Well, the red one is cheaper, but I prefer the color blue. I‘ll take the blue one.”

You can use either “will/won’t” or “going to” for predictions or general statements about the future:

My company‘s going to move its headquarters overseas next year.
My company will move its headquarters overseas next year.

Your wife will love those flowers – they’re beautiful!
Your wife’s going to love those flowers – they’re beautiful!

The economy isn’t going to improve much this year.
The economy won’t improve much this year.

He won’t pass the test. He hasn’t studied at all.
He’s not going to pass the test. He hasn’t studied at all.

Note: Use I think… will and I don’t think… will to express thoughts about the future.
Don’t use I think… won’t. (it doesn’t sound natural).
• I think you won’t like this movie.

It’s very violent.(false)
• I don’t think you’ll like this movie. It’s very violent.(true)

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