Similarities and differences between Will and Going to
Talking about future actions:
We use both will and going to to talk about our future actions, but there is a clear difference.
| Will | Going To |
| Study this exemple: Nam: My phone has a problem. Can you fix it for me Hai? Hai: Yes, but I can’t do it now. I will fix it tomorrow. We use will whe we decide to do something at the time of speacking. The speaker has not decided before. Before Nam told to Hai, Hai didn’t know about the problem. |
Study this exemple: Nam: What are you going to do this Summer? Hai: I’m going to join a camping club.We use going to when we have already decided to do something. Hai had already decided to join a camping club this Summer. |
Saying what will happen (predicting future happing)
We use both will and going to to say what we think will happen in the future:
- Do you think Nam will get the job?
- Oh no! It’s already 8h. We’re going to be late.
We use going to whe there is something in the present situation the shows what will happen in the future (especially the near future). The speaker feels sure about what will happen because of the situation now.
- Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain.
- I feel terrible. I think I’m going to be sick.
In other situation, use will
- Hai will probably arrive at about 8 o’clock
