Lesson Plan - Future with Going to and Will

The Basics: Future with Will:

The future in English can be rather confusing. There are two future forms used in most
conversations: the future with 'will' and the future with 'going to'. The main difference
between the two forms is that 'going to' is used for plans and intentions made before the
moment of speaking, and the 'will' to speak about the future at the moment of speaking.
Study these basic forms and then use the referenced resources to practice these forms.

Teachers can print out these materials for use in-class, or find help with how to teach
future forms, as well as the lesson plans suggested below.

There are two basic future tenses used to describe things that happen in the future. Besides
these two there are some other future tenses which can be started on the advanced
future tenses page. The first future tense is the future with 'will'. Use the future with will to
talk about an event in the future that you have just decided to do, for predictions and for
promises.

I think I'll go to that party next week.

The economy will get better soon.
Yes, I will marry you.

The Basics: Future with Going to:

The future with 'going to' is used to express events you have already planned in the future
and your intentions for the future. We sometimes also use the present continuous for
planned events in the near future.

She's going to attend university and study to become a doctor.

We're going to make the presentation next week.

Future with Will Structure:

Positive

Subject + will + verb

I, You, He, She, We, They will come to the party.

Negative

Subject + will + not (won't) + verb

I, You, He, She, We, They won't have time tomorrow.

Questions

Question word + will + subject + verb

What will he, she, you, we, they do?

Future with Going to Structure:

Positive

Subject + to be + going to + verb

I am going to attend the meeting.

He, She is going to attend the meeting.
You, We, They are going to attend the meeting.

Negative

Subject + to be + not + going to + verb

I'm not going to visit Rome next year.

He, She isn't going to visit Rome next year.
You, We, They aren't going to visit Rome next year.

Questions

(Question word) + to be + subject + going to + verb

Where am I going to stay?

Where is she, he going to stay?
Where are you, we, they going to stay?

EXERCISE 1: DIALOG - THE PARTY

Martha: What horrible weather today. I'd love to go out, but I think it will just continue
raining.
Jane: Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the sun will come out later this afternoon.

Martha: I hope you're right. Listen, I'm going to have a party this Saturday. Would you
like to come?
Jane: Oh, I'd love to come. Thank you for inviting me. Who's going to come to the party?

Martha: Well, a number of people haven't told me yet. But, Peter and Mark are going to
help out with the cooking!
Jane: Hey, I'll help, too!

Martha: Would you? That would be great!

Jane: I'll make lasagna!

Martha: That sounds delicious! I know my Italian cousins are going to be there. I'm sure
they'll love it.
Jane: Italians? Maybe I'll bake a cake...

Martha: No, no. They're not like that. They'll love it.
Jane: Well, if you say so... Is there going be a theme for the party?
Martha: No, I don't think so. Just a chance to get together and have fun.
Jane: I'm sure it'll be lots of fun.

Martha: But I'm going to hire a clown!

Jane: A clown! You're kidding me.

Martha: No, no. As I child, I always wanted a clown. Now, I'm going to have a clown at my
own party.
Jane: I'm sure everyone will have a good laugh.

Martha: That's the plan!

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

What do they think about the weather?

What does Martha have to share?
What are Peter and Mark going to do?
What does Jane offer to do?
How does Jane react to the news about the Italian cousins?
What special plan is there?
Why does Martha want a clown?
Does Martha know exactly how many people are going to come? If yes, how many. If
not, why not?
How does Jane think people will react to the clown?
Is there a theme for the party?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING WITH THIS MULTIPLE CHOICE

COMPREHENSION QUIZ.

1. Why isn't Martha going out?

The weather's bad.

She has an appointment.
She's going to have a party.

2. What does Jane think might happen?

The weather will get worse.

The sun will come out later.

It'll get colder soon.

3. What's Martha going to do soon?

Go to work
Make lunch
Have a a party

4. Why does Jane change her mind about cooking lasagna for the party?

She doesn't have all the ingredients necessary.

She's nervous about cooking lasagna for Italians.
 She can't come to the party.

5. What's the theme of the party?

There's no theme, just a chance to get together.

Clowns are the theme.
It's a baby shower for her friend.

6. Which entertainment is Martha going to have?

There'll be a clown.
She's serving a special dinner.
She's asked a band to play.

Answers

1. The weather's bad.

2. The sun will come out soon.
3. Have a party
4. She's nervous about cooking lasagna for Italians.
5. There's no theme, just a chance to get together.
6. There'll be a clown.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WILL AND GOING TO

You can use both 'will' or 'going to' in the future, but we generally use 'going to' when
speaking about plans:

Mary: What's Ann going to do next week?

Susan: She's going to visit her friend in Chicago next week.

'Will' is used to make predictions:

Peter: What do you think about Tom.

John: I think he'll win the election the next month.

Make promises:

Son: I promise I'll clean up after the party.

Mom: Okay, you can have a party next week.

React to situations and information as they arise:

Student: I don't understand this grammar.

Teacher: I'll help you. What don't you understand.

GRAMMAR QUIZ

Use 'will' or 'going to' to fill in the gaps.

1. What _____ you _______ (do) next weekend? Do you have any plans?
2. David: I'm hungry! Ken: I ________ (make) you a sandwich. What do you want?
 3. I __________ (finish) the report by the end of next week. You can believe me.
4. What do you think you ________ (study) when you go to college in five years?
5. He promises they _______ (deliver) the package by the end of the week.
6. I've finally made up my mind. I __________ (become) a lawyer when I grown up.
7. It's hard to predict the future. I think we _______ (live) here for a long time, but
you never know.
8. I've bought my ticket. I ___________ (fly) to Chicago next week.

Answers

1. are you going to do - asking for future plans

2. will make - reacting to a situation
3. will finish - making a promise
4. are going to study - asking about future plans
5. will deliver - promise
6. am going to become - future intention or plan
7. will live - making a future prediction
8. am going to fly - future plans