I Will and I'm Going To | Unit 23 | PrepMyEnglish
PrepMyEnglish
Accueil› English Grammar› Unit 23 — I Will and I'm Going To
Unit 23 · Grammar Lesson
Unité 23 · Leçon de Grammaire

I Will and I'm Going To
New Decisions vs Prior Plans · Evidence-Based Predictions — Complete Guide I Will et I'm Going To
Nouvelles décisions vs Plans déjà pris · Prédictions avec indices — Guide Complet

Master when to use will for new decisions vs going to for prior plans, and when to use going to vs will for predictions based on visible evidence

Maîtrisez quand utiliser will pour de nouvelles décisions vs going to pour des plans déjà pris, et quand utiliser going to vs will pour des prédictions basées sur des indices visibles

B1 – B1+ 2 Rules · 3 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 2 Règles · 3 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

Units 21 and 22 introduced will. Unit 20 introduced (be) going to. In this unit we compare them directly. There are two key contrasts: (A) will for decisions made right now vs going to for plans already made before speaking; and (B) will for general predictions vs going to for predictions based on visible present evidence.

Les unités 21 et 22 ont présenté will. L'unité 20 a présenté (be) going to. Dans cette unité, nous les comparons directement. Il y a deux contrastes clés : (A) will pour les décisions prises à l'instant vs going to pour les plans déjà pris avant de parler ; et (B) will pour les prédictions générales vs going to pour les prédictions basées sur des indices visibles présents.

A

Future Actions — New Decision (will) vs Already Decided (going to)

Actions futures — Nouvelle décision (will) vs Déjà décidé (going to)

We use will ('ll) to announce a decision made at the moment of speaking — it is a new idea. We use (be) going to when we have already decided to do something before speaking — the decision was made earlier.

On utilise will ('ll) pour annoncer une décision prise au moment où l'on parle — c'est une nouvelle idée. On utilise (be) going to quand on a déjà décidé de faire quelque chose avant de parler — la décision a été prise avant.

will ('ll) → new decision made NOW (at the moment of speaking)
(be) going to → decision already made BEFORE this conversation

Will — Decision made NOW

Will — Décision prise MAINTENANT

We'll …
pastpassénow ● decisionmaintenant ● décisionfuturefutur
'Let's have a party.' → 'We'll invite lots of people.' (new idea at the moment of speaking)
'Let's have a party.' → 'We'll invite lots of people.' (nouvelle idée au moment de parler)

Going to — Decision made BEFORE

Going to — Décision prise AVANT

We're going to …
pastpassé● decision (before)● décision (avant)futurefutur
'We're going to invite lots of people.' (already decided before speaking)
'We're going to invite lots of people.' (déjà décidé avant de parler)

Will — Spontaneous / New Decision

Will — Spontané / Nouvelle décision

just decided at this moment
décidé à l'instant
'Gary has been trying to contact you.' → 'Has he? OK, I'll call him.'
'Anna is in hospital.' → 'Really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'
'I don't know how to use this.' → 'It's easy. I'll show you.'
'I forgot my wallet.' → 'Not to worry. I'll lend you some money.'

Going to — Prior Plan / Already Decided

Going to — Plan prévu / Déjà décidé

decided before this conversation
décidé avant cette conversation
'Gary has been trying to contact you.' → 'Yes, I know. I'm going to call him.'
'Anna is in hospital.' → 'Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her this evening.'
'I've decided to paint this room.' → 'What colour are you going to paint it?'
'Where are you going?' → 'I'm going to buy some things for dinner tonight.'
💡
Key question:Question clé : Did you decide this just now (as a reaction to new information)? → will. Did you decide this before this conversation? → going to. Avez-vous décidé cela à l'instant (en réaction à une nouvelle information) ? → will. Avez-vous décidé cela avant cette conversation ? → going to.
B

Predicting the Future — Will vs Going To (Evidence Now)

Prédire l'avenir — Will vs Going To (indices visibles maintenant)

We can use both will and going to for future predictions. However, when we base a prediction on something we can see or know right now — visible present evidence — we prefer going to. When we make a general prediction based on what we think or believe (no visible evidence now), we use will.

On peut utiliser will et going to pour des prédictions futures. Cependant, quand on base une prédiction sur quelque chose qu'on voit ou sait maintenant — des indices visibles présents — on préfère going to. Quand on fait une prédiction générale basée sur ce qu'on pense ou croit (sans indice visible), on utilise will.

going to → prediction from VISIBLE EVIDENCE now (you can see it / it's clear now)
will → general prediction based on opinion / belief / knowledge

Going to — Visible Evidence Now

Going to — Indices visibles maintenant

the situation NOW makes it clear
la situation MAINTENANT le rend évident
Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (not: it will rain)
We're going to be late. The meeting starts in 5 mins and it takes 15 to get there.
He's looking very tired. I think he's going to fall asleep.
That ceiling looks dangerous. It looks as if it's going to fall down.

Will — General Prediction / Belief

Will — Prédiction générale / Croyance

based on opinion, knowledge, habit
basé sur une opinion, connaissance, habitude
I think the weather will be nice later. (general prediction)
Those shoes are well-made. They'll last a long time.
Jane will be late for the meeting. She's always late.
Jack is very determined. He'll get what he wants.
⚠️
Important distinction:Distinction importante : 'Look at those black clouds — it's going to rain' (you can SEE the clouds now → going to). 'I think the weather will be nice later' (general belief, no specific evidence → will). Both will and going to are correct for general predictions, but only going to is used when the evidence is visible right now. 'Look at those black clouds — it's going to rain' (vous VOYEZ les nuages maintenant → going to). 'I think the weather will be nice later' (croyance générale, pas d'indice spécifique → will). Will et going to sont tous les deux corrects pour des prédictions générales, mais seul going to s'utilise quand les indices sont visibles maintenant.
We're going to be late. (it is clear NOW — not enough time)
We're going to be late. (c'est clair MAINTENANT — pas assez de temps)
→ You can calculate right now that you won't make it → going to
→ On peut calculer maintenant qu'on ne sera pas à temps → going to
Jane will be late for the meeting. She's always late.
Jane will be late for the meeting. She's always late.
→ Based on knowing her habits / character → will
→ Basé sur la connaissance de ses habitudes → will
I think the weather will be nice later. OR …is going to be nice later.
I think the weather will be nice later. OU …is going to be nice later.
→ General prediction with no specific visible evidence — both are correct here
→ Prédiction générale sans indice visible spécifique — les deux sont corrects ici

Will & Going To — Exercises with AnswersWill & Going To — Exercices avec Corrigé

Put each rule into practice — check your answers instantly

Mettez chaque règle en pratique — vérifiez vos réponses instantanément

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Complete using will ('ll) or (be) going to

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec will ('ll) ou (be) going to

Choose the correct form based on whether the decision was just made or already planned.

Choisissez la forme correcte selon que la décision vient d'être prise ou est déjà prévue.

1.
A: Why are you turning on the TV?
B: the news. (already decided)(déjà décidé)
2.
A: I forgot my wallet. I don't have any money.
B: Not to worry. you some. (spontaneous decision)(décision spontanée)
3.
A: Why are you filling that bucket with water?
B: the car. (already planned)(déjà prévu)
4.
A: I don't know how to use the washing machine.
B: It's easy. you. (spontaneous offer)(offre spontanée)
5.
A: I've decided to paint this room.
B: That's nice. What colour it? (asking about a prior plan)(sur un plan déjà pris)
6.
A: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
B: Yes, some things for dinner tonight. (prior plan)(plan prévu)
7.
A: What would you like to eat?
B: a pizza, please. (decision just now)(décision à l'instant)
8.
A: This food doesn't taste very good, does it?
B: No, it's horrible. it. (prior intention)(intention déjà prise)
9.
A: Tom is starting an evening class next month.
B: Is he? What ? (asking about Tom's prior plan)(sur le plan prévu de Tom)
10.
A: Did you call Lisa?
B: Oh no, I completely forgot. her now. (spontaneous decision)(décision spontanée)
11.
A: Has Dan decided what to do when he leaves school?
B: Yes. Everything is planned. First, a holiday for a few weeks. Then a management training course.
Answers:Réponses :
1. I'm going to watch  ·  2. I'll lend  ·  3. I'm going to wash  ·  4. I'll show  ·  5. are you going to paint  ·  6. I'm going to buy  ·  7. I'll have  ·  8. I'm not going to finish  ·  9. is he going to study  ·  10. I'll call  ·  11a. he's going to have  ·  11b. he's going to do
EX 2

Exercise 2 — Read the situation and complete using will ('ll) or going to

Exercice 2 — Lisez la situation et complétez avec will ('ll) ou going to

Choose the correct form based on the context given.

Choisissez la forme correcte selon le contexte donné.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5a.
5b.
6a.
6b.
Answers:Réponses :
1. I'm going to make  ·  2. I'll see  ·  3. I'm going to sell  ·  4. you'll find  ·  5a. I'm going to throw  ·  5b. I'll have  ·  6a. I'll take  ·  6b. Amy's going to take
🔗

Exercise 3 — Match the situation to the correct prediction

Exercice 3 — Associez la situation à la bonne prédiction

Match each numbered situation (1–8) with the correct lettered prediction (a–h). Write the letter.

Associez chaque situation numérotée (1–8) à la bonne prédiction lettrée (a–h). Écrivez la lettre.

1.
Why don't you come to the party with us?
Pourquoi ne pas venir à la fête avec nous ?
2.
That ceiling looks dangerous.
Ce plafond a l'air dangereux.
3.
He's looking very tired.
Il a l'air très fatigué.
4.
This table is too big.
Cette table est trop grande.
5.
The weather forecast is good.
Les prévisions météo sont bonnes.
6.
Jack is very determined.
Jack est très déterminé.
7.
They are building a new skyscraper here.
Ils construisent un nouveau gratte-ciel ici.
8.
I haven't seen Ben for ages.
Ça fait longtemps que je n'ai pas vu Ben.
a.
He'll get what he wants.
He'll get what he wants.
b.
He probably won't remember me.
He probably won't remember me.
c.
It's going to be a nice day.
It's going to be a nice day.
d.
It looks as if it's going to fall down.
It looks as if it's going to fall down.
e.
It's going to be 200 metres high.
It's going to be 200 metres high.
f.
You'll enjoy it.
You'll enjoy it.
g.
I don't think it will fit in the room.
I don't think it will fit in the room.
h.
I think he's going to fall asleep.
I think he's going to fall asleep.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Answers:Réponses : 1–f  ·  2–d  ·  3–h  ·  4–g  ·  5–c  ·  6–a  ·  7–e  ·  8–b

Frequently Asked Questions — Will vs Going To

Questions fréquentes — Will vs Going To

For future actions: use will for a decision made at the moment of speaking (spontaneous). Use going to for a decision already made before speaking. For predictions: use going to when there is visible present evidence. Use will for general predictions based on opinion.

Pour les actions futures : utilisez will pour une décision prise au moment de parler (spontanée). Utilisez going to pour une décision déjà prise avant de parler. Pour les prédictions : utilisez going to quand il y a des indices visibles présents. Utilisez will pour des prédictions générales basées sur une opinion.

'It's going to rain' = you can see evidence right now (e.g. black clouds in the sky — the situation now makes it clear). 'It will rain' = a general prediction based on a belief or forecast, without specific visible evidence at this moment.

'It's going to rain' = vous voyez des indices maintenant (ex. des nuages noirs — la situation présente le rend clair). 'It will rain' = une prédiction générale basée sur une croyance ou une prévision, sans indice visible spécifique.

'Has he? OK, I'll call him' = you just heard this news and decided to call right now → will (new decision). 'Yes, I know. I'm going to call him' = you already knew and had already decided to call before this conversation → going to (prior plan).

'Has he? OK, I'll call him' = vous venez d'apprendre cette nouvelle et décidez d'appeler maintenant → will (nouvelle décision). 'Yes, I know. I'm going to call him' = vous saviez déjà et aviez déjà décidé d'appeler → going to (plan prévu).

Yes! For general predictions both are often acceptable: 'I think the weather will be / is going to be nice later.' However, when there is visible present evidence, prefer going to: 'Look at those clouds — it's going to rain'. When predicting based on someone's character or habits, prefer will: 'Jane will be late — she's always late.'

Oui ! Pour les prédictions générales, les deux sont souvent acceptables. Cependant, quand il y a des indices visibles présents, préférez going to. Quand on prédit d'après le caractère ou les habitudes de quelqu'un, préférez will.

🎯 Unit 23 · MCQ QuizUnité 23 · Quiz QCM

Will vs Going To — Quiz

Will vs Going To — Quiz

200-question bank · 10–40 questions per session · instant feedback · printable PDF with or without answers

Banque de 200 questions · 10 à 40 questions par session · correction immédiate · PDF avec ou sans corrigé

200 Questions 5 Topics B1 · B1+ PDF ✓

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Filter by topic Filtrer par thème
All topics New Decision (will) Prior Plan (going to) Evidence Prediction General Prediction Mixed

Will vs Going To Quiz

Quiz — Will vs Going To

20 questions

—
out ofsur 20 questionsquestions
—
Correct
Correctes
—
Wrong
Incorrectes
—
Skipped
Non répondues

Ready to take your English to the next level?

Prêt à passer votre anglais au niveau supérieur ?

Discover our expert-led courses and certifications — funded options available.

Découvrez nos cours et certifications avec des formateurs experts — options de financement disponibles.

🎓

English Courses with CPF

Formations d'Anglais avec CPF

Use your Compte Personnel de Formation to fund your English training. Tailored, certified, and 100% financed.

Utilisez votre Compte Personnel de Formation pour financer votre apprentissage de l'anglais. Sur-mesure, certifié, 100 % financé.

Find out more En savoir plus
📚

All Our English Courses

Tous Nos Cours d'Anglais

Explore our complete catalogue — from general English to business English, all levels welcome.

Explorez notre catalogue complet — anglais général, anglais professionnel, tous niveaux bienvenus.

Find out more En savoir plus
🏆

Exam Preparation Courses

Préparation aux Examens d'Anglais

Get ready for TOEIC, Linguaskill, Cambridge and more — structured prep with official certifications.

Préparez-vous au TOEIC, Linguaskill, Cambridge et plus — préparation structurée avec certifications officielles.

Find out more En savoir plus

PrepMyEnglish™

Learn and speak better English

Apprenez et parlez un meilleur anglais