Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and
"be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used
interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These
different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and
practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be
going to" refer to a specific time in the future.
FORM Will
[will + verb]
Examples:
· You will
help him later.
· Will you help him
later?
· You will
not help him later.
FORM Be Going To
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
· You are
going to meet Jane tonight.
· Are you going
to meet Jane tonight?
· You are
not going to meet Jane tonight.
USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary
Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something
voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone
else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or
request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone
help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will
not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
· I will
send you the information when I get it.
· I will
translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
· Will you help me
move this heavy table?
· Will you make dinner?
· I will
not do your homework for you.
· I won't
do all the housework myself!
· A: I'm really
hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
· A: I'm so
tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
· A: The phone
is ringing.
B: I'll get it.
USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise
"Will" is usually used in promises.
Examples:
· I will
call you when I arrive.
· If I am
elected President of the United States, I will make sure
everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
· I promise
I will not tell him about the surprise party.
· Don't worry,
I'll be careful.
· I won't
tell anyone your secret.
USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan
"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses
the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not
matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
· He is
going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
· She is
not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
· A: When are we going
to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
· I'm going
to be an actor when I grow up.
· Michelle is
going to begin medical school next year.
· They are
going to drive all the way to Alaska.
· Who are you going
to invite to the party?
· A: Who is
going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going
to" to Express a Prediction
Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a
general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might
happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually
has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the
following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
Examples:
· The year
2222 will be a very interesting year.
· The year
2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
· John
Smith will be the next President.
· John
Smith is going to be the next President.
· The movie
"Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
· The movie
"Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
IMPORTANT
In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in
mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses
beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the
time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple
Present is used.
Examples:
· When
you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
· When
you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
USE Present Continuous To Talk About The Near
Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something
will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
· I am
meeting some friends after work.
· I am
not going to the party tonight.
· Is he visiting his
parents next weekend?
· Isn't he coming with
us tonight?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
· John will
finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
· The
work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive
· Sally is
going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
· A beautiful
dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive
