English grammar › B1
will or going to?
Level B1 · decisions and plans
Two ways to talk about the future
English has more than one future form. The choice depends on when you decided: right now while speaking, or earlier.
How to choose
- Decided now, offers, promises → will.
- Decided before, plans → going to.
Pattern
will + verb · am / is / are going to + verb
Examples
- The phone’s ringing — I**’ll** get it. — decision at this moment
- I**’m going to** paint the kitchen. — the plan was made before
going to comes from the A2 lesson.
The rule
will for decisions made right now, promises and offers. going to for plans made before.
Now → before: The phone's ringing. — I'll get it! → I'm going to call her tonight (I planned it).
Common mistakes
- Not:
I will to help you.— But: I'll help you.
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