will vs be going to

Will you or won't you?  Lesson Topic: Future Tense Using "Will" And "Be Going To"  Question:  You are going out for lunch.  You hear your boss saying that his shirt is ready at the dry cleaner's.  You are a really faithful, helpful, and loyal employee.  What do you say? I'm going to pick it up for you. I'll pick it up for you. Pick it up yourself!  You, lazy bum! C is a great answer if you want to get fired.  If you don't want to get fired, we strongly recommend one of the others. If you chose not to get fired, you are considering A and B.  Which one is possible?  Which one is best?  Which one is usually said by a native speaker?  Both A and B are possible, but one is more common for a native speaker.  Though will and be going to mean almost the same thing and are interchangeable sometimes, there are some situations when one is used more than the other.   Will  Promises  Johnny Mom, if I get 100 on my math test, will you take me out for ice cream? Mom Yes, I'll take you out for ice cream.  I promise. Offers to help  Patricia  I lost my ring Brian No problem.  I'll help you find it. Request for help  Peter I need to change the oil in my car.  Will you help me? William Of course, I'll help you.   Would is even more polite in requests for help.I need to change the oil in my car.  Are you going to help me? is considered impolite.   Predictions about the future  Heather Some statisticians predict that there will be10 billion people in the world by 2050.   Melinda  I think they are right.  I heard there won't be enough food in the world for everyone. Will is often used in predictions, but be going to is also used and acceptable. Refusal of things Walter I can't open this bottle of wine. Sally Yeah.  The cork won't come out. Be Going To State a plan or intention  Holly What are you going to do this summer? Mandy I am going to travel across Europe.  I am going to see everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Coliseum in Rome.   Back To The Quiz At The Top Using the information we just learned about will and be going to, what is the answer to the quiz at the top of this lesson?  The situation is an offer to help.  Offers to help usually use will.  Therefore, the answer is B. A is not wrong, but B is a little more common. Quiz Directions: Look at the following sentences.  Rewrite the sentences in blue using will or the correct form of be going to.   1.  My radio is broken.  You (fix) it for me? 2.  I have a two-week vacation in August.  I (fly) to Vietnam. 3.  My car ran out of* gas.  It (not go).   *ran out of=used up all of (so there is no more) 4.  My supervisor is a really nice guy.  He promised me a big bonus this year.  He promised me that he (give) me $2500 if we increase sales by 10%.   5.  You spilled the milk.  I (clean) it up.

1.  My radio is broken.  You (fix) it for me?      Answer: My radio is broken.  Will you fix it for me?      Reason: Request for help 2.  I have a two-week vacation in August.  I (fly) to Vietnam.      Answer: I have a two-week vacation in August.  I am going to fly to Vietnam.      Reason: Statement of plan or intention 3.  My car ran out of gas.  It (not go).        Answer: My car ran out of gas.  It won't go.      Reason: Refusal of things 4.  My supervisor is a really nice guy.  He promised me a big bonus this year.  He promised me that he (give) me $2500 if we increase sales by 10%.        Answer: My supervisor is a really nice guy.  He promised me a big bonus this year.  He promised me that he'll give me $2500 if we increase sales by 10%.        Reason: Promise 5.  You spilled the milk.  I (clean) it up.      Answer: You spilled the milk.  I'll clean it up.      Reason: Offer to help

Rules to Remember!

1	Sometimes will and be going to are interchangeable.  In other words, it makes virtually no difference which one you use.  At other times, however, the difference is significant.  For example, when requesting a favor, don't use be going to.
2	Most of the above are suggestions and generalizations about how native speakers use will and be going to.  These are not absolute rules.
3	When using will in speech, using a contraction is very common.  For example,      I'll give you a hand.*      *I'll give you a hand=I'll help you      Marie hates movies.  She won't go with us.

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