Module 3 lesson 3

Module 3

Lesson 3

Student’s Book pages 25-26

                              

Grammar

Be going to (future planning) and will

Be going to: form

We use be going to + the base form of the verb:

I’m going to take a few exams at the end of the year.

It’s going to be difficult to get a job during the summer as the tourist industry is suffering from the economic downturn.

 

Be going to: uses

Be going to is commonly used in informal styles.

 

Intentions

We use be going to to talk about future plans and intentions. Usually the decision about the future plans has already been made:

She’s going to be a professional dancer when she grows up.

I’m going to look for a new place to live next month.

 

Predictions

We use be going to to predict something that we think is certain to happen or which we have evidence for now:

It’s going to snow again soon. (The speaker can probably see dark snow clouds.)

Look out! He’s going to break that glass.

 

Commands

We use be going to when we give commands or state that something is obligatory:

[parent to a child]

You’re going to pick up all of those toys right now. This room is a mess!

 

Be going to or will?

Will is often used in a similar way to be going to. Will is used when we are talking about something with absolute certainty. 

Be going to is used when we want to emphasise our decision or the evidence in the present:

[An ‘A’ road is a main road. A ‘B’ road is a smaller road.]

We are now very late so we’re going to take the ‘B’ road. (the speaker refers to the present and emphasises the decision)

I know the ‘B’ road will be quicker at this time of day. (the speaker states a fact)

 

What's the difference? 'Will' and 'be going to'

Will + infinitive	Be going to + infinitive
A decision at the moment of speaking: Julie: There's no milk. John: Really? In that case, I'll go and get some.	A decision before the moment of speaking: Julie: There's no milk. John: I know. I'm going to go and get some when this TV programme finishes.
A prediction based on opinion: I think the Conservatives will win the next election.	A prediction based on something we can see (or hear) now: The Conservatives are going to win the election. They already have most of the votes.
A future fact: The sun will rise tomorrow.
For promises / requests / refusals / offers: I'll help you tomorrow, if you like.

More examples:

• (The phone rings)
  Julie: I'll get it!
  ('I'm going to get it' is very strange, because it makes us think that Julie knew the phone was going to ring before it did).

 

• I'm going to go on holiday next week.
  ('I'll go on holiday next week' makes it sound like you've only just decided at that minute. Of course, this is possible, but normally we plan our holidays more in advance!).