If you need help to talk about future plans then please stay with me because in this English Grammar lesson I am going to teach you how to talk about your future plans.
#1. Which decision is planned – Will/Going to?
Let’s look at a conversation:
(Phone rings)
Michelle – Hi Harry.
Harry – Hi Michelle, would you like to join me for a coffee this evening?
Michelle – Yea, I will join you but I must let my mom know.
*In this conversation, “will” is used to talk about a rapid decision i.e. a decision made at the moment of speaking.
Conversation continues………………… (Phone rings)
Mom – Hey Michelle.
Michelle – Hi mom. I need to tell u something.
Mom – tell me
Michelle – I am going to have a coffee with Harry this evening.
*In this part of the conversation, “Going to” is used to talk about a decision that was made before the moment of speaking and arrangements have been made for that decision.
#2 –Which decision is more certain – will/ going to?
- We are more certain about the decision where we use “Going to” – Because the decision was pre-planned and arrangements have been more for it already. (to meet Harry, had a conversation, agreed on the phone, told mom)– 100% sure
- When we are lesser certain about a decision we use “will”– Because the decision is made rapidly in an instant and no arrangements have been made for it. ( not yet told mom, only confirmed to Harry) – 85-90 % sure
- If you are even lesser sure about your future plans then you can use will with expressions such as: Probably, possibly, I hope, I think- 70 % sure
For Example:
- If you speak to a person for the first time and you realize that you have a lot in common. You can say, “I think we’ll get along well”. (50-70 % sure)
- I’ll possibly spend these vacations in Hawaii.
- Probably I’ll see you next summer.