In English there are several ways of talking about the future, but will and going to are the two most common forms.
I'll
see you later. |
We're
going to see a film tonight. Do you want to come? |
The speaker chooses a future form depending on when the decision was taken and how the speaker sees the future event.
Use will ('ll) when you decide to do something at the time of speaking (right now). The speaker has not made a decision before.
Jane: | Let's go on a vacation. |
Jack: | That
would be wonderful! I will make the reservations. (Jack decides at the same time Jane speaks.) |
Use going to when the speaker has already decided to do something.
Jack: | Jane
and I have decided to take a vacation. We are going to Stockholm. (Jack had already decided to take a vacation before he spoke to Peter.) |
Peter: | Oh, how nice. |
Examples:
"John is going to get married." | "Really? How wonderful. I will buy him a present." | |
"There's someone at the door for you." | "Yes, it's Sue. We are going to a party." |
Sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to. For example, you can say:
I
think the weather will be nice tomorrow. |
I
think the weather is going to be nice tomorrow |