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Unit 23 · Future

I will and I'm going to

Study

A

Compare will and (be) going to:

Sarah is talking to Helen:

will (We'll invite …)

We use will (We'll invite …) to announce a new decision. The party is a new idea.

Later that day, Helen meets Max:

(be) going to (We're going to invite …)

We use (be) going to when we have already decided to do something. Helen had already decided to invite lots of people before she spoke to Max.

Compare:

›

'Gary has been trying to contact you.' 'Has he? OK, I'll call him.'

›

'Gary has been trying to contact you.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to call him.'

›

'Anna is in hospital.' 'Really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'

›

'Anna is in hospital.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her this evening.'

B

Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

We use both will and going to for future happenings and situations. So you can say:

›

I think the weather will be nice later.

›

I think the weather is going to be nice later.

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Those shoes are well-made. They'll last a long time.

›

Those shoes are well-made. They're going to last a long time.

When we say something is going to happen, we believe this because of the situation now. What is happening now shows that something is going to happen in the future. For example:

›

Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (not it will rain)

(we can see that it is going to rain – the black clouds are in the sky now)

Compare:

›

We're going to be late. The meeting starts in five minutes and it takes 15 minutes to get there.

(it is clear now that we don't have enough time to get there)

›

Jane will be late for the meeting. She's always late.

(I believe this because I know what Jane is like)

→ I'm going to ➜ Unit 20 will ➜ Units 21–22 The future ➜ Appendix 3

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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23.1

Complete the sentences using will ('ll) or (be) going to.

  1. 1
    a: Why are you turning on the TV?
    b: I'm going to watch the news. (I / watch) example
  2. 2
    a: I forgot my wallet. I don't have any money.
    b: Not to worry. you some. (I / lend)
  3. 3
    a: Why are you filling that bucket with water?
    b: the car. (I / wash)
  4. 4
    a: I don't know how to use the washing machine.
    b: It's easy. you. (I / show)
  5. 5
    a: I've decided to paint this room.
    b: That's nice. What colour it? (you / paint)
  6. 6
    a: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
    b: Yes, some things for dinner tonight. (I / buy)
  7. 7
    a: What would you like to eat?
    b: a pizza, please. (I / have)
  8. 8
    a: This food doesn't taste very good, does it?
    b: No, it's horrible. it. (I / not / finish)
  9. 9
    a: Tom is starting an evening class next month.
    b: Is he? What ?
  10. 10
    a: Did you call Lisa?
    b: Oh, no. I completely forgot. her now. (I / call)
  11. 11
    a: Has Dan decided what to do when he leaves school?
    b: Yes. Everything is planned. First a holiday for a few weeks. (he / have) Then a management training course. (he / do)
23.2

Read the situations and complete the sentences using will ('ll) or (be) going to.

  1. 1
    You want some coffee. You go to the kitchen to make some.
    You say (to your friend): I'm going to make some coffee. Would you like some? example
  2. 2
    You're speaking to a friend and arranging to meet. You suggest a time and place.
    You say: you at 10.30 in the hotel lobby, OK? (I/see)
  3. 3
    You have decided to sell your car. You tell a friend of yours.
    You say: I don't need my car any more. it. (I/sell)
  4. 4
    Your friend is worried because she has lost her driving licence.
    You say: Don't worry. I'm sure it. (you/find)
  5. 5
    You have an old camera that is broken. You have decided to throw it away. You tell your friend.
    You say: This camera is broken. it away. (I/throw)
  6. 6
    Your friend loves and collects old cameras. He doesn't want you to throw it away.
    He says: Don't throw it away! it. (I/have)
  7. 7
    Joe has to go to the airport tomorrow. He doesn't know how to get there. Amy offers to take him.
    Amy says: Don't worry about getting to the airport, Joe. you. (I/take)
  8. 8
    Later that day, Paul offers to take Joe to the airport. Joe tells him that it's not necessary.
    Joe says: Thanks, Paul, but me. (Amy/take)
23.3

Which goes with which?

  1. 1Why don't you come to the party with us?
  2. 2That ceiling looks dangerous.
  3. 3He's looking very tired.
  4. 4This table is too big.
  5. 5The weather forecast is good.
  6. 6Jack is very determined.
  7. 7They are building a new skyscraper here.
  8. 8I haven't seen Ben for ages.
  1. aHe'll get what he wants.
  2. bHe probably won't remember me.
  3. cIt's going to be a nice day.
  4. dIt looks as if it's going to fall down.
  5. eIt's going to be 200 metres high.
  6. fYou'll enjoy it.
  7. gI don't think it will fit in the room.
  8. hI think he's going to fall asleep.