Jerónimo's Lesson

Future tenses: Be going to and will

He is going to study to be a lawyer.

It's cold. I will turn on the heating.

Look out! You're going to slip on the ice.

I'm afraid Kelly will lose her job.

We are going to employ seven new members of staff this year.

Be going to

Subject + Verb to be (am, is, are) + going to + infinitive

• Future plans and intentions that we have decided.
• Predictions based on what we see or know (evidence).

I am going to visit my parents next weekend.

Will

Subject + Will / Won't + Infinitive

• General predictions about the future (what we believe or imagine).
• On the spot decisions.
• Promises, threats, warnings, hopes, offers.
• Talk about the future when it is an objective truth.

It's muy birthday next week. I'll be seventeen.