Future (Will & Going to)

Future Tense – “Going To” Vs. “Will”

Review the different uses of “going to” and “will” below before completing the exercise that follows.

Going to Will
future facts future facts
He’s going to be 50 next spring He’ll be 50 next spring.

predictions
predictions
We’ll miss the bus if we don’t hurry.
We’re going to miss the bus

often used with the following words:

probably, I think, I don’t think, I’m sure,
maybe
predictions when there is something in the
present that indicates what will happen in the He’ll probably stay home tonight.
future I think I’ll go to bed early.
Look at the sky. There’s going to be a storm.
I don’t think I’ll go to the movie.
I’m sure I’ll like his new girlfriend.
What are you going to do next year?
I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll take a trip.

used when we decide to do something at the

time of speaking
preconceived plans, arrangements

He needs some tools. He’s going to fix the car. Would you like tea or coffee?
I’ll have tea, please.

used for offers, requests, promises

I’ll help you carry those heavy bags.
Will you please lock the door?
I promise I’ll call when we get there.

agreeing or refusing to do something

I’m mad at Bob. I won’t help him.
 Future (Will & Going to)

Future Tense with “Going To” – Discussing Future Plans

Choose the correct word from the list below to complete the following sentences. Use the correct form
of the future tense with “going to”.

hang / wear / practice / get / ask / visit / write clean / study / exchange / quit / take / give / fix

ex. My brother sent me a letter last week. I’m going to write him back tomorrow.

1. My house is very dirty. I ___________________ it tomorrow.

2. Miriam is going to a party next Saturday. She _________________ her new red dress.

3. Robert bought a new painting at the art show. He __________________ it over the sofa in his living room.

4. The hockey championship is next month. The boys ________________ every night next week.

5. Jack hates his job. He ___________________ next week.

6. We have a math exam in three days. We ___________________________ very hard for the next few days.

7. It’s very cold and rainy outside now. I ____________________ a nice, hot bath as soon as I get home
from this soccer game.

8. Ellie has a hair appointment for this afternoon. She _________________ her hair cut and colored.

9. I had a flat tire on my car yesterday. My husband ______________________ it later today.

10. It’s our parents’ anniversary tomorrow. We ___________________ them a gift certificate to a beautiful
new restaurant.

11. Sue got a sweater from her mother-in-law for her birthday. It didn’t fit, so she __________________ it for a
larger size.

12. Sam just got his driver’s license. He _________________ his father to let him borrow the car next weekend.

13. Their grandmother is in the hospital. They _________________ her next weekend.

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 Future (Will & Going to)

Future Tense with “Going To” – Making Predictions

What’s Going to Happen?

Directions: Match the sentences on the left with the words on the right. Then write the
complete sentences below using the future tense.

D 1. I didn’t study for the test. A. take the next plane

_____ 2. He’s driving too fast. B. have a backache
_____ 3. Frank always eats too much. C. rain
_____ 4. He forgot to return his books to the library. D. fail
_____ 5. There are large black clouds in the sky. E. call a service station
_____ 6. Mr. and Mrs. Manning missed their flight. F. get a stomachache
_____ 7. Phillip has a fever. G. sink
_____ 8. Ellen and Bob are buying a lot of food and wine. H. have an accident
_____ 9. Marie is lifting very heavy boxes. I. take an aspirin
_____ 10. The boat is full of water. J. break her leg
_____ 11. John just ate four big hamburgers. K. have a party
_____ 12. Kristin is a terrible skier. L. get fat
_____ 13. Her car broke down. M. have to pay a fine

1. I didn’t study for the test. I’m going to fail._____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________________________________
8. ____________________________________________________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________________________________
11. ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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 Future (Will & Going to)

Future Tense with “Will”

A. Note: We use “will” for future actions when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. (Do
not use “will” to express future plans that have already been made at the time of speaking.)

ex. It’s very hot in here. I’m going to travel to Europe next summer.
Okay. I’ll open the window. (plan has already been made)

Complete the following sentences with will (I’ll) and the correct verb from the list
below. call / have / water / walk / mail / go
1. Would you like tea or coffee?
________________ tea, please.
2. Would you like a ride home?
No thanks. It’s a beautiful today. I think __________________ home.
3. We’re out of milk and I need some for the children.
Okay. _________________ to the store and get some.
4. I just finished writing my brother a letter. Are you going to the post office
now? No, I’m not. __________________ it for you in the morning.
5. These flowers look very dry.
Okay. __________________ them in a few minutes.
6. Ken phoned while you were out.
Okay. ___________________ him back after I finish my lunch.

B. We often use “will” for future predictions when we use the word “probably”.

For each of the situations below, predict something that will probably happen or something that
will probably not happen.

Ex. Bob is going to take his driver’s test tomorrow. He didn’t practice.
He’ll probably fail. or He probably won’t pass.

1. It’s raining. George doesn’t have an umbrella. ______________________________________________

2. Andy has a very bad cold. ______________________________________________________________
3. Nora didn’t sleep well last night. ________________________________________________________
4. Phil loves movies. There is a new movie playing at the theater tonight. __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Jan ate too much dessert last night and now she has a stomachache. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Future (Will & Going to)
 Future (Will & Going to)

Directions: Complete the following sentences using the correct form of “going to” or “will” with the
verb provided. Be prepared to explain the reason for your choice. (Remember that sometimes you can
use either “going to” or “will”.)

1. Sam feels sick. He _____________ (stay) home from work tomorrow.

2. I ________________ (finish) my homework later tonight.
3. I left my wallet at home. That’s okay. I ____________ (lend) you some money.
4. The sky is very dark. It _______________ (rain).
5. What time _________ he ______________ (meet) you tomorrow?
6. Frank _________________ (take) a two week holiday next year.
7. That box looks very heavy. I________________ (help) you carry it.
8. I bought some paint because I _________________(paint) my apartment.
9. He ______________ (wear) a black tuxedo to the wedding. What __________you ____________ (wear)?
10. Why did you take the sugar out of the cupboard? I ________________ (bake) a cake.
11. They took money out of the bank because they ________________ (buy) a new TV for their daughter.
12. It’s very hot in here. I ____________________ (open) the window for you.
13. The weatherman says it ________________ (be) a beautiful day tomorrow. I think I ____________ (go) to
the beach.
14. Your car engine doesn’t sound very good. It sounds like it _________________ (die).
15. We probably __________________(not/go) to the party next week.
16. “Can I please talk to the manager?”
“He __________________ (be) with you in a moment.”
17. The plane ________________ (arrive) on time.
18. The Andersons went to the travel agent yesterday. They ____________ (buy) their tickets tomorrow.
19. We ____________________ (see) that new movie tonight. Do you want to come with us?
20. Allan _________________ (get) up early tomorrow so he can go fishing.
21. I _______________ (help) you with your work tomorrow.
22. “Do you have any holiday plans?”
“Yes. We ____________________ (take) a Mediterranean cruise.”
23. “Ronnie can’t drive me to the airport.”
“That’s okay. I _________________(take) you.
24. I don’t think I ________________ (be) able to come to your party.

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