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Level: A2-B1

Future Forms — Will vs Be Going To vs Present Progressive

English has three common ways to talk about the future, each with a slightly different meaning. Match each sentence to the right form. 31 click-to-hear ESL examples.

📝 Verb Tenses unit · lesson 8 of 10 ⏱ about 8 minutes 🔊 every example has audio

Builds on Simple Tenses Next in unit Questions & Negatives →

  • WILL — predictions about the future
  • It will rain tomorrow. – will
  • She will be a great teacher. – will
  • I think it will snow next week. – will
  • People will live longer in the future. – will
  • WILL — promises and offers
  • I will help you with that. – will
  • Do not worry, I will pay you back. – will
  • I will not tell anyone. – will
  • I will call you tonight. – will
  • WILL — on-the-spot decisions
  • The phone is ringing; I will get it. – will
  • It is hot in here. I will open the window. – will
  • I will have the chicken, please. – will
  • Hmm, I will take the blue one. – will
  • BE GOING TO — plans already made
  • I am going to visit my grandmother next Sunday. – be going to
  • We are going to travel to Spain this summer. – be going to
  • She is going to start a new job in June. – be going to
  • They are going to buy a house next year. – be going to
  • BE GOING TO — predictions with evidence
  • Look at those clouds; it is going to rain. – be going to
  • Watch out! You are going to fall! – be going to
  • The car is going to break down; listen to that noise. – be going to
  • She is very pale. She is going to faint. – be going to
  • PRESENT PROGRESSIVE — fixed arrangements
  • I am meeting John tomorrow at 6. – present progressive
  • We are flying to Rome next month. – present progressive
  • She is having dinner with her parents on Friday. – present progressive
  • The team is playing on Saturday. – present progressive
  • I am leaving at 8am tomorrow. – present progressive
  • Compare — same idea, three forms
  • I will visit Spain someday. – will
  • I am going to visit Spain in July. – be going to
  • I am visiting Spain on Friday; flights are booked. – present progressive
  • Mixed practice
  • I will probably go to the gym. – will
  • I am going to study medicine. – be going to
  • We are getting married in June. – present progressive