Future Tense: Will vs Be Going To — Expressing Predictions and Intentions with Exercises — First Year Secondary — Algerian Curriculum

Future Tense: Will vs Be Going To

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between “will” and “be going to”
• Use “will” for spontaneous decisions and predictions
• Use “be going to” for planned intentions and predictions based on evidence
• Practice with BAC-style exercises

1. Will + base verb

Uses:

• Spontaneous decisions: “The phone is ringing. I will answer it.”
• Predictions (opinion-based): “I think it will rain tomorrow.”
• Promises and offers: “I will help you with your homework.”

Form: Subject + will + base verb (I will travel / He will come)

Negative: Subject + will not (wont) + base verb

Question: Will + subject + base verb?

2. Be Going To + base verb

Uses:

• Planned intentions: “I am going to study medicine next year.”
• Predictions (evidence-based): “Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.”

Form: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb

Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?

3. Comparison Table

Will	Be Going To
Spontaneous decision	Planned intention
Prediction (opinion)	Prediction (evidence)
Promise, offer, threat	Plans already made
I will call you tomorrow. (just decided)	I am going to visit Paris. (already planned)

Exercises with Answers

Exercise 1: Choose the correct form

1. “I am cold.” “Really? I (will / am going to) close the window.”

2. She (will / is going to) have a baby in June. It is planned.

3. I think humans (will / are going to) live on Mars one day.

4. Look at that car! It (will / is going to) crash!

Answers: 1. will, 2. is going to, 3. will, 4. is going to

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences

1. A: Why did you buy flour and sugar? B: I ____________ (make) a cake.

2. “I dont know how to solve this.” “Dont worry, I ____________ (help) you.”

3. According to the weather forecast, it ____________ (snow) tomorrow.

4. “I have decided. I ____________ (study) engineering.”

Answers: 1. am going to make, 2. will help, 3. is going to snow, 4. am going to study

Exercise 3 (BAC-style): Rewrite the sentences

1. It is very hot. I think I (open) the window. (use will)

2. They have already bought tickets. They (travel) to London next week. (use going to)

3. She promises she (not/be) late again. (use will)

Answers: 1. will open, 2. are going to travel, 3. will not be / wont be

Summary

• Use will for spontaneous decisions, promises, and predictions based on opinion.
• Use be going to for planned intentions and predictions based on evidence.
• The negative of will is will not (wont).
• The negative of going to is am/is/are not going to.

Related Lessons

• Articles (A, An, The): Rules and Practice
• Expressing Likes and Dislikes