Future Forms
Three ways to talk about the future — will, going to, and the present continuous — and how to choose the right one for predictions, plans and arrangements.
Press a button. Talk about the future.
Three ways to talk about the future. Switch between will, going to and the present continuous — same future, a different shade of meaning.
Got the difference? Jump to the practice →
The rules — with examples
The three future forms, how to choose, and the words that point to the future.
The three forms
I’ll help.
It’s going to snow.
Will or going to? Use going to for plans already decided (“We’re going to paint the house”); use will for a decision made right now (“OK, I’ll do it”).
Which form, which meaning
Contractions
Future signal words & a tip
Quick guide: a plan you made earlier → going to; a decision right now → will; something already in your diary → present continuous.
Practise & score yourself
Ten quick questions with instant scoring and a short explanation for every answer — especially the ones you get wrong.
The one rule to remember
Talk about the future with will (a prediction, a promise, or a decision made now), going to (a plan or intention you decided earlier), or the present continuous (a fixed arrangement, usually with a time). “It’ll be fine”, “I’m going to study”, “We’re leaving at six”.