作者名称 国旗国籍

Mr. Tomato

EN
KR

📝 Will vs Going To 🇬🇧
This is one of the most common errors when

talking about the future. I can see why; it can be confusing.🙊
1a) 👌We use 'will' when describing our 'willlingness" to do something:
-"I will make a tomato salad if you're hungry."
-"I'll help you carry those heavy bags of tomatoes."
The negative form of willingness is a refusal (won't): "My little sister won't eat green tomatoes."
1b) 👌We also use 'will' when we make immediate decisions (a cute way of saying this is, "snap' decisions'):
A: I just heard that there is a tomato sale at the shop!
B: I'll come! (《a quick, snap decision, with no planning)👍
B: I'm going to come!❌
2) 👌We use 'going to' with plans (prior plans, with decisions already made - not instant, snap decisions):
-"I have been thinking about it for a long time; I'm going to start my own tomato farm."
-"We're going to collect the tomato plants next Sunday."
3) 👌Usually, we can use either 'will' or 'going to' for predictions:
-"It looks like it's going to rain tomorrow."
-"It looks like it will rain tomorrow."
PS. As always, there will be exceptions to these grammar rules. 😭
PPS. There are also times when we use present continuous, but that is a discussion for another day.
*If you like my silly little English tips, please check out my others*

Comments

  • Aria

    Thanks a lot. It’s always my confusing before see this
  • Ruby Lu

    👏
  • carey

    @Mr. Tomato I am more interested in history , economy and everything related to culture. BUt whatever your post is, i enjoy reading it.
  • Ivy

    @Mr. Tomato Thanks a lot. 😊😊
  • Mr. Tomato

    @Ivy Okay. That will be my next article 👍
  • Ivy

    @Mr. Tomato I was wondering if you can differentiate the following three words for us in your next English tip: reserve, book and order. I am confused about their usage because when translated into Chinese, they have the same meaning. 😭 Thank you for your English tips. It's very helpful for us. 👏
  • VeraSun

    @Mr. Tomato it seems to me that the machines is personified 😁
  • Mr. Tomato

    @carey @Ivy @Sophie 苏诗茵 I am happy to help. Please give me an idea of what should be the topic of my next English language article.
  • Mr. Tomato

    @VeraSun Your question is fascinating and interesting for me. I guess the machine (the car) is not willing to start. I hadn't considered that before.
  • VeraSun

    how to understand “my car won’t start”? do native speakers often say this? what does “will” in this sentence imply? thanks in advance❤
  • Reiko

    @Mr. Tomato I see.Thank you for the explanation. I still need to learn a lot English...😅 I didn't know that it has also an aggressive sound...😅
  • Mr. Tomato

    @Reiko As I said, there are always exceptions. 'Will' sounds more concrete than 'going to,' because we use it for threats: "I'll tell your mother about this!" I know a lot of non-native speakers use it for future plans, but it can sound quite aggressive.👍
  • Reiko

    It really helps! Thank you!! I'm a bit confused because I heard that "will do" is more promising (a firm decision) than "going to do". But, "going to do" is used with plans, it seems to be more promising than "will do", doesn't it?
  • Sophie 苏诗茵

    thank you.very useful
  • Ivy

    Thank you so much. 👍👍
  • carey

    THank you. It's really helpful

Open HelloTalk to join the conversation