Ch 4 · Lesson 9English · Chapter 4 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
Going to: a plan you made before
I'm going to call Mum: am, is or are + going to for a plan from before, or when you can see it coming. Then the one question: will or going to?
The short version
Will is the future you create as you speak
- .
Why?Hide
Use will for a decision made at the moment of speaking, and for predictions, offers and promises. Use going to when the plan was already decided before this conversation, or when you can see the evidence in front of you. If the plan or the proof already exists, reach for going to.
Going to: a plan you made before
Going to uses am, is or are, so it changes with the person. Then comes the verb, with no -s.
| Who | Example |
|---|---|
. | |
| / / | . |
| / / | . |
, , |
- Not:
. - A question:
?, .
What going to does
| Job | Example |
|---|---|
. . | |
. . | |
? ! |
In fast speech, going to often sounds like gonna: I'm gonna call her. That is fine with friends. Write going to.
Will or going to?
Ask one question: did you decide before you spoke?
| You decided... | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| , | , . | |
Tom. |
Look at two people on one day:
- Ana:
.She made the plan this morning. - Tom:
, !He decides now, as he hears it.
For a guess, both forms work. The difference is the proof:
.(a guess)! .(you can see it)
Going further: Will: I'll help you and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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9-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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