{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"029 The Difference Between Will and Going to","description":"Introduction   Hi there everyone, welcome back to another episode of The Art of Business English. I hope your guys are having a fantastic week of work and fun.   Have you ever wondered what is the difference between Will and Going to? I mean they are both used for talking about the future, right? Well, yes that is correct, however there are some differences in use that can be a bit confusing for non-native speakers.   In this episode I am going to explain how we use future simple and going to. Not only that, I am also going to show you guys how it is similar and different in use in the context of Spanish. Basically, I am going to show you the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts of using the future in English.   So, if you have problems understanding when is the right time to use will or going to, then stay tuned because this episode is going to be super useful for you.   By the end of this episode we will have covered the following:   Grammar overview of will and going to The difference between will and going to The similarities between will and going to The do\u2019s and don\u2019ts for its use when compared to Spanish Example sentences in context   Will Grammar   We refer to will as the future simple and it has the following structure:     Structure Contracted form Example + S + will + verb + object I\u2019ll, You\u2019ll, He\u2019ll, She\u2019ll, We\u2019ll,  They\u2019ll He\u2019ll probably be late - S + will not + verb + object Won\u2019t He won\u2019t enjoy the party ? Will + s + verb + object? N\/A Will they attend the event?   It is important to note that the contracted form of will is very common and it can be a little difficult for non-native speakers to understand when a native person speaks quickly.   Another important point to note is that the will remains the same for all subjects. It doesn\u2019t change for the 3rd person singular.   Future Simple has the following uses: to make predictions, usually based on our opinion or our past experience: I think it\u2019ll be very hot at that time of year. to talk about future events we haven\u2019t arranged: We\u2019ll probably stay at a hotel near the airport. To talk about future events or facts that are not personal: A bonus will be awarded at the end of the quarter to the team member with the most sales. to talk about something we decide to do at the time of speaking: I\u2019ll call you back in a moment. to make offers, promises, threats or suggestions: Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll finished the report by the end of the day.   So how is future simple in English used differently from future simple in Spanish. Let\u2019s quickly take a look. Firstly, we can generally agree, and I usually teach my students this, that the translation for will would be the following:   Ir\u00e9 = I will go Ir\u00e1s = You will go Ir\u00e1 = he or she will go   and so on. So, we can see that with Spanish the verb go, has the future added to it at the end of the verb, indicating the tense and the subject. In English, we put the subject first, then will to show the future tense and then the verb.   If we can agree that this is how we translate the future from Spanish to English, then in general we could assume that it is easy to use the future simple. This is true to a certain extent, however there are some differences that we need to be aware of.   Firstly, we can\u2019t use will for things that are definitely planned or we have a strong intention to do. For example, if I ask you, \u201cWhat are you doing this weekend\u201d, then you can\u2019t say \u201cI will go to the beach\u201d. Why? Well, you have a strong intention or plan to go to the beach. Here we would have to say \u201cI am going to the beach\u201d.   On a positive note, if you use will incorrectly, then a native person will understand you, it will just sound wrong to them.   Secondly, we must use future simple when talking about the immediate future, or something you decide to do at the moment of speaking. Let\u2019s take a look at what I mean. In Spanish you can say, \u201cAhora te llamo\u201d. This basically means that you will call the person back in the near future. However, you will notice that in Spanish we have used the simple present tense and we have used the word ahora, or now. Get it straight in your mind, now is now in English. It is the very exact moment of the present. Secondly, the present simple is the present simple and you can\u2019t use it to talk about something you plan to do in the future. So, for this expression to be translated correctly, you would have to say, \u201cI will call you right back\u201d. You can\u2019t say, \u201cI call you now\u201d.   So, to summarise, we use will to talk about things we have decided to do at the moment we are speaking or for the immediate future.   These are the two most common mistakes I see with the future simple use in English.   Let\u2019s take a look at going to.     Going to Grammar   Going to has the following structure:     Structure Examples + S + am\/is\/are + going to + verb + object We are going to hire a new marketing manager. - S + am\/is\/are + not + going to + verb + object We are not going to accept the new conditions. ? Am\/Is\/Are + s + going to + verb + object? Are you going to be at the monthly managers meeting?   A quick thing to note is that going to can often mean the same thing as present continuous for future use and will.   Let\u2019s take a look at a comparative.   Are you going to be attending the annual general meeting? Will you be attending the annual general meeting? Are you attending the annual general meeting?   Let\u2019s move on and take a look at the use of going to: to talk about events in the future we have already thought about and intend to do: We\u2019re going to increase our sales team by around 10% (We intend to expand the team but we haven\u2019t hired the new people yet). to make predictions based on what we can hear or see (present evidence) Judging by these sales forecast, we are going to have a strong 3rd quarter. (I am making a prediction based on the information I have now in the present).   So, now that we understand both will and going to, let\u2019s look at how they are similar.   Similarities between will and going to   Going to and will can be followed by some of the following words:   think doubt expect believe probably certainly definitely be sure to   The reason why we use these words is because they are all closely related to the speakers opinion about future events. In many cases when we are giving our opinion we commonly use will, however, we can also often use both will and going to. Let\u2019s take a look at a few examples.   I think it\u2019s going to be a successful product launch, or I think it\u2019ll be a successful product launch. I am sure they\u2019ll accept the new contract conditions, or I\u2019m sure they\u2019re going to accept the new contract conditions. I doubt they\u2019ll be happy when they hear about the changes, or I doubt they\u2019re going to be happy when they hear about the changes.   Finally, there is often very little difference between predictions using will and going to. It just depends on the speakers opinion.   Take a look at these two examples:   I\u2019m sure you will enjoy the trade fair. (Prediction based on my opinion) We are going to be very busy for the next few days. (Prediction based on previous experience)   Example sentences in context     Meeting Presentation Negotiation Predictions I\u2019m sure you will see the value in our products. We feel that there will be strong growth in the housing sector. I have no doubt that if you try this service you will love it. Unarranged future events We\u2019ll reconvene this meeting in a week. We\u2019ll probably organise a sales event next month. I will meet you next week to finalise the contract. Something we decide at the moment of speaking I\u2019ll be right back, would anyone like a coffee? I\u2019ll answer any questions you have at the end of the talk. We\u2019ll give you a further 10% discount if you sign today. Promises I\u2019ll send you a report on this by the end of the week. I\u2019ll make sure you all receive a free sample. I\u2019ll give you a free 30 minute coaching call when you purchase any of my courses. Future events we intend to do We are going to employ two new sales reps. I\u2019m going to invite you all to lunch at the end of this talk. We are going to ensure you receive all of your inventory within 30 days. Predictions based on present evidence If we don\u2019t hurry up, we are not going to have enough time to cover all the points. As you can see, based on these numbers, we are going to need to promote our products further. At these prices we are going to sell out very soon.   Final thoughts   So, to wrap things up, we can see that there are quite a few differences and similarities between will and going to. The best way to appreciate these differences is by understand the use of each future within the correct context. Of course, practice makes perfect. If you stick to the simple rules outlined in this episode then 9 times out of 10 you will use these two future forms correctly.   Just remember, if you do use will and going to incorrectly then you will still be understood by a native person.   As always, please like, share and comment on this episode. If you have any additional questions regarding the differences between will and going to then please contact us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com\/theaobe, or leave us a comment over at the AOBE.   Till next time, take care and enjoy improving your business English.   ","author_name":"The Art of Business English","author_url":"https:\/\/theartofbusinessenglish.com\/","html":"