Future – Will and Going to

We use I’ll … (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’, we announce our decision:

Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.

‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’

‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’

We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:

I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)

We use WILL for:

1- Spontaneus decisions

Example: It's cold. I'll switch the heating.

2- Promises

Example: I'll help you with your homework.

3- Predictions or to state a fact about the future

Example: The sun will rise at 6 am.

In spoken English will not is usually won’t:

I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long).

We often use I think I will … / I don’t think I will … :

I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat.

I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.

1. It’s a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it. You say:

It’s cold with the window open. I think I’ll close it.

2. You are feeling tired and it’s getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say:

I’m tired, so ___________________________. Goodnight!

3. The weather is nice and you need some exercise. You decide to go for a walk. You say:

It’s a lovely morning. ________________________. Do you want to come too?

4. You were going to have lunch. Now you decide you don’t want to eat anything. You say:

I don’t feel hungry. __________________________.

STRUCTURE:

sujeto + AM/IS/ARE GOING TO + verbo + complemento

We use GOING to to talk about:

1- Personal intentions (previously decided)

Example: I'm going to start a diet

2- Future consequences and predictions

Example: He is very ill. He is going to die