Future Forms: Will vs. Going To

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

We have already booked the flight. We (travel) to Italy this summer.

Correct answer: are going to travel

Prior plan. The act of booking the flight shows the decision was made before the moment of speaking.

Oh, I forgot to bring my umbrella! I (run) back and get it quickly.

Correct answer: will run

Spontaneous decision. The speaker just realized a problem and decided on a solution at the moment of speaking.

Sarah has decided on her outfit. She (wear) the red dress to the wedding.

Correct answer: is going to wear

Prior plan. The speaker explicitly mentions that the decision has already been made.

A: “I'm really thirsty.” B: “Wait here, I (get) you a glass of water.”

Correct answer: will get

Spontaneous decision. This is an offer made in response to an immediate situation.

Mark (start) his new job on Monday. He signed the contract yesterday.

Correct answer: is going to start

Prior plan. Signing the contract confirms that this is a pre-arranged intention.

A: “The doorbell is ringing.” B: “I (see) who it is!”

Correct answer: will see

Spontaneous decision. The action is decided at the exact moment the doorbell rings.

They have been saving money for months because they (buy) a new car.

Correct answer: are going to buy

Prior plan. The long-term action of saving money demonstrates a pre-existing intention.

Don't worry about the mess. I promise I (clean) it up before you get home.

Correct answer: will clean

Spontaneous decision. Promises about the future are treated as decisions made at the moment of speaking.

We (have) a barbecue this Sunday. We've already invited all the neighbors.

Correct answer: are going to have

Prior plan. Inviting guests is a clear indication of a plan made before the conversation.

A: “We are out of sugar.” B: “Are we? I (buy) some when I go to the supermarket.”

Correct answer: will buy

Spontaneous decision. Person B learns the information and decides to act during the conversation.

Look at the schedule. The CEO (give) a presentation at 10:00 AM tomorrow.

Correct answer: is going to give

Prior plan. A scheduled event is a fixed intention/arrangement.

These boxes look very heavy. I (help) you carry them upstairs.

Correct answer: will help

Spontaneous decision. This is a helpful offer made at the moment the speaker sees the heavy boxes.

I've already checked the weather. We (stay) indoors and watch movies.

Correct answer: are going to stay

Prior plan. Checking the weather and deciding on an activity beforehand constitutes a plan.

Waiter: “Would you like a dessert?” Customer: “Yes, I (have) the chocolate cake.”

Correct answer: will have

Spontaneous decision. The customer makes the choice at the moment the waiter asks.

My parents (retire) at the end of this year. They have already started looking for a house.

Correct answer: are going to retire

Prior plan. Starting to look for a house is part of the preparation for their pre-determined retirement.

Please answer at least one question first.

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