Will and be going to.

We use both will and be going to to talk about the future. Sometimes there is very little difference in meaning. It is often just a matter of formality. Will is generally more formal than be going to.

We can use either will or be going to for:

• Facts about the future.

There will be an eclipse of the sun tomorrow. (formal)

There´s going to be an eclipse tomorrow. (informal)

• Predictions (opinios about the future) not based on present evidence.

One day people will have holidays on Mars. (formal)

One day people are going to have holidays on Mars. (informal)

• Decisions made at the moment of speaking.

I know! I´ll get Dad a DVD for Christmas.

I know! I´m going to get Dad a DVD for Christmas.

NOTE: Will emphasises the decision, whereas be going to emphasises the intention. The meaning, however, is basically the same in both sentences.

We can use will for:

• most first conditional sentences.
• offers, suggestions and request.

BE CAREFUL!

With offers and suggestions in the questions form, we do not use will with I and we. We use shall:

Example: Will I help you with the washing-up? (mistake).

Shall I help you with the washing-up?

We can use Be going to for:

• Plans and intentions (which you already have when you speak)
• Predictions based on present evidence.

Brian Rueda Pichilingue.