UNIT 8

UNIT 8 WILL or GOING TO?

Talking about future actions. 

A.  We use both will and going to to talk about our future actions, but there is a clear difference. 

Study this example situation: 

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Helen's bicycle has a flat tire. She tells her father                                          will: We use will when we 
Helen: My bicycle has a flat tire.                                                                          decide to do something at Can you fix it for me?                                                                 the time of speaking. The speaker has not 
Father: Okay, but I can't do it now.                                                  decided before. Before Helen told her I'll fix it tomorrow.                                                                      father, he didn't know about the flat tire. 
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Later, Helen's mother speaks to her husband.                                  going to: We use going to when we Mother: Can you fix Helen's bicycle?                                            have already decided to do something. It has a flat tire.                                                                                                      Helen's father had already Father: Yes, I know. She told me.                                                                           decided to fix the bicycle I'm going to fix it tomorrow.                                                                         before his wife spoke to him.
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Here is another example:

• Tom is cooking when he suddenly discovers that there isn't any salt:

Tom: Ann, we don't have any salt.  
Ann: Oh, we don't? I'll get some from the store. (she decides at the time of speaking) 

Before going out, Ann says to Jim:

Ann: I'm going to get some salt from the store. (She has already decided) 
Can I you anything, Jim? 


B.  Saying what will happen (predicting future happenings)
We use both will and going to to say what we think will happen in the future:
 
#  Do you think Laura will get the job? 
#  Oh no! It's already 4:00. We're going to be late
We use going to (not will) when there is something in the present situation that shows what will will happen in the future (especially the near future). The speaker feels sure about happen because of the situation now: 

#  Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (the clouds are there now)  
#  I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (I feel terrible now) 
Do not use will in situations like these. 
 
In other situations, use will: 

#  Sue will probably arrive at about 8 o'clock. 

#  I think George will like the present you bought for him.