Welcome to ESL Printables, the website where English Language teachers exchange resources: worksheets, lesson plans,  activities, etc.
Our collection is growing every day with the help of many teachers. If you want to download you have to send your own contributions.
 


 
 

 

ESL Forum:

Techniques and methods in Language Teaching

Games, activities and teaching ideas

Grammar and Linguistics

Teaching material

Concerning worksheets

Concerning powerpoints

Concerning online exercises

Make suggestions, report errors

Ask for help

Message board

 

ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > will vs going to for predictions    

will vs going to for predictions



shelly_pamm
Brazil

will vs going to for predictions
 

I know that we can use both forms to express prediction, but are they the same in use? I mean, is there a diference between will and going to when we talk about predictions?

Could you help me?
Thanks in advance!
Michelle

10 Jul 2009      





carlaaguiarsilva
Portugal

I always teach my students that when talking about predictions we should use will. Going to is used when our plans are made. I �ve checked some of my books and they all transmit this same idea. Greetings from Portugal, Carla

10 Jul 2009     



Nereis
Argentina

i agree with carla. We use going to for planned future actions and will for predictions and spontaneous future ideas 

10 Jul 2009     



maufon
Costa Rica

Hi!
 
 
According to what I know, you can use going to for predictions as well, but only for predictions based on present evidence:
         Look at those clouds - it �s going to pour with rain!
 
 It �s clear from what I can see now.
 
but, you are right, it is a little confusing some times...

10 Jul 2009     



Tere-arg
Argentina

Both are used for predictions but in a different way:

Going to is used for predictions based on evidence (anticipation)


Will is used for predictions for the future (opinion/belief)

10 Jul 2009     



xuxutati
Brazil

 
 Take a look at my worksheet on Future forms. It may help you!
 
Good luck!
 
Marianne
 

10 Jul 2009     



Apodo
Australia

Sometimes they are interchangeable: after I think,  I imagine or using if.

Which to use depends very much on the context, the other words in the sentence and the exact meaning:  Sometimes there is no difference and sometimes the difference can be quite subtle.
Here are some examples of how I would use them:
 
Look at the clouds. I think it �s going to rain.
Look at the clouds. I think it �ll rain later today.
 
He �s going to fail his exams if he doesn �t do enough study.
He �ll fail his exams if he doesn �t do enough study.
 
He �s going to fail his exams because he hasn �t done enough study.
 
 
He �ll be back at 4 o �clock.
He �s going to be back at 4 o �clock.
He will be away most of the afternoon.
He �s going to be away most of the afternoon.
 
He �s going to paint the fence.
He �s going to paint the fence when he �s finished fixing the gate.
He �ll paint the fence when he �s finished fixing the gate.
 

10 Jul 2009