Will/be going to


Future with intention can usually be expressed by both forms. Very often either of these can be
used, but when the intention is clearly premeditated the “be going to” form must be used, and when
the intention is clearly unpremeditated we use “will”:


1. The fire has gone out! - So it has. I (go) and get some sticks.

2. Did you remember to book seats? – Oh no, I forgot. I (telephone) for them now.

4. I’ve hired a typewriter and I (learn) to type.

8. You’ve bought a lot of paint. You (redecorate) your kitchen?

10. Look what I’ve just bought at an auction! – What an extraordinary thing! Where you (put) it?

12. What you (do) when you grow up? – I (be) an acrobat in a circus.

16. I’ve just enrolled at the local technical college. I (attend) pottery classes next winter.

20. My brother has just returned from America. – Oh good, we (ask) him to our next party.

25. I haven’t bought any cigarettes because I (give) up smoking.

31. I’m catching the 6.30 train. – So am I. I (give) you a lift to the station.

32. You (walk) there in this rain? You’ll get awfully wet.

33. You (sign) here, please?

34. What are all those notes for? You (give) a lecture?

35. Why do you want a candle? You (explore) the caves?

36. If I catch some fish, you (cook) them for me?



KEY

1 will go, 2 will telephone, 4 am going to learn, 8 are you going to redecorate, 10 are you going
to put, 12 are you going to do, am going to be,  16 am going to attend, 20 will ask, 25 am going
to/am giving up, 31 will give, 32 are you going to, 33 will you sign, 34 are you going to, 35 are
you going to, 36 will you cook