will, going to or I'm doing?
Talking about the future
will for a decision you make now, an offer, a promise, or what you think will happen; going to for a plan you've already made, or something you can see coming; I'm doing for something arranged with a time or other people.
- I'll help you with that.
- We're going to buy a new car next month.
- I'm meeting my cousin at seven.
Spanish often offers in the present («te presto dinero»); English needs will for an offer made now: I'll lend you some money.
An offer made right now takes will: Don't worry, I'll lend you some. Not: I lend you some. (For a plan, going to and I'm doing are often both right.)
Also on this page: will for predictions · going to: look at those clouds! · I'm doing for arrangements
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- "I haven't got any money for lunch." "Don't worry, I ______ you some."'m lending · lend · 'll lend
- We have decided that we ______ a new car next month.are going to buy · are going buy · going to buy · buy
- I can't stay late tonight. I ______ my cousin at the station at seven.am meeting · meeting · meet
- "I forgot to bring a pen!" "Here, I ______ you one."'ll give · give · am giving · gave
- Look at the time! We ______ miss the deadline if we don't hurry.are going to · going to · are going
- Can we talk tomorrow? I ______ a job interview at nine, but I'm free after that.am having · had · having
- I ______ you with your homework if you like. I'm free this evening.will help · help · am helping
- Dan has just said he ______ the company next month. He has found a better job.is going to leave · goes to leave · going to leave
- I can't stay late on Wednesday. I ______ my grandmother from the airport at six.collect · collecting · am collecting
- I'm sure the new course ______ useful for your career.will be · is being · will to be
- My brother has decided to give up football because of his exams. He ______ spend more time studying.is going to · will to · going to
- Don't phone Jack at nine. He ______ asleep by then.is being · be · will be
Show the answers
- 'll lendnot lend: I do for an offer or a plannot 'm lending: I'm doing for an offer made now
- are going to buynot buy: I do for an offer or a plannot going to buy: going to with a word missingnot are going buy: going to with a word missing
- am meetingnot meet: I do for an offer or a plannot meeting: I'm doing with a word missing
- 'll givenot give: I do for an offer or a plannot am giving: I'm doing for an offer made now
- are going tonot going to: going to with a word missingnot are going: going to with a word missing
- am havingnot having: I'm doing with a word missing
- will helpnot help: I do for an offer or a plannot am helping: I'm doing for an offer made now
- is going to leavenot goes to leave: going to with a word missingnot going to leave: going to with a word missing
- am collectingnot collect: I do for an offer or a plannot collecting: I'm doing with a word missing
- will benot will to be: will to, will having
- is going tonot will to: will to, will havingnot going to: going to with a word missing
- will be
Common mistakes on this point
Not: Don't worry, I lend you some.
Say: Don't worry, I'll lend you some.
For the future, use will, going to or I'm doing. I do is for habits, timetables (the train leaves at six), and after if or when (when I get home).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I'm helping you with your homework if you like.
Say: I'll help you with your homework if you like.
An offer or a decision you make right now takes will. I'm doing is for things already arranged.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I will to call you.
Say: I will call you.
will + the verb, with no to: I'll call you, it will be fine.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: We going to buy a car.
Say: We're going to buy a car.
am, is or are + going to + the verb: We're going to buy a car.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I meeting my cousin at seven.
Say: I'm meeting my cousin at seven.
am, is or are + the -ing word: I'm meeting, she's having.
See this mistake on its own page ›