DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WILL AND BE GOING TO MADE EASY! ACCOMPANIED BY EXERCISES WITH ANSWERS

1. How do you differentiate between will and be going to?

Will and be going to are both basic forms of the simple future tense. Understanding the difference between these two structures will definitely help you use English more accurately and effectively in communication.

To differentiate between will and be going to, let's compare them in terms of structure and usage as follows:

1.1 Structure of will 

• Thể khẳng định: S + will + Vo

Example: I will wait for you. (I will wait for you.) 

• Thể phủ định: S + will not + Vo ( will not = won’t)

Example: I don't think they will stay home tonight. (I think they won't stay at home tonight.) 

• Thể nghi vấn: Will + S + V0 

Example:  Will you marry me? (Will you marry me?)

1.2 Structure of be going to 

• Thể khẳng định: S + am/is/are going to + V0

Example: She is going to sleep. (She is about to go to sleep.) 

• Thể phủ định: S + am/is/are/ + not going to + V0

Example: They are not going to work harder. (They won't work harder.) 

• Thể nghi vấn: Am/is/are + S + going to + V0? 

Example: Are you going to cook dinner? (Will you cook dinner?) 

1.3 Usage of will structure 

To differentiate will and be going to, we can also rely on their usage. First, the structure 'will' is used as follows: 

• Will sử dụng để miêu tả một quyết định thực hiện hoặc quyết định từ chối một việc gì đó ngay tức thì, ngay tại thời điểm nói. 

Example: It's raining heavily, so we'll take a taxi to work. (It's raining so hard, we'll go to work by taxi.) 

• Will sử dụng để nói về một lời hứa của người nói ở trong tương lai

Example: Thank you for giving me this gift; I will cherish it. (Thank you for giving me this gift, I will cherish it.) 

• Will sử dụng để dự đoán một sự việc diễn ra trong tương lai 

Example: A few decades later, we won't be using motorbikes anymore. (A few decades later, we will not use motorbikes anymore.)

1.4 Usage of be going to structure

Compared to 'will', the 'be going to' structure is used less frequently. Specifically, there are various ways to use the 'be going to' structure as follows: 

• Be going to sử dụng để dự đoán một sự việc nào chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra trong tương lai vì nó có dấu hiệu nhận biết, có căn cứ. 

Example: Look! It's going to rain. (Look, it's going to rain.) 

• Be going to sử dụng để nói về 1 quyết định hoặc 1 dự định chắc chắn sẽ thực hiện nó trong tương lai gần. 

Example: There's a live concert tonight; my friend and I are going to attend and enjoy it. (There's a live concert tonight, my friend and I will go and enjoy it.)

1.5 Other considerations to distinguish 'will' and 'be going to'

• Chúng ta không dùng will nếu dự định đó chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra. 

Example: Today is Mary's graduation day; she is going to school to take pictures with her friends. (Today is Mary's graduation day, she'll go to school and take pictures with her friends.) 

• “be going to” cũng có thể được sử dụng giống chức năng của thì hiện tại tiếp diễn 

Example: We're heading to Dalat; it promises to be a fascinating trip. (We're heading to Dalat; it will be a very interesting trip.) 

• So với “will” thì “ be going to” không được sử dụng phổ biến trong văn nói hàng ngày khi dự đoán một sự việc nào đó. 

Example: I predict Thailand will win. (I think Thailand will win.) 

2. Exercise to distinguish 'will' and 'be going to'

Bài tập 1: Chia động từ trong ngoặc đơn để hoàn chỉnh câu

1. What will you buy for Mary at her birthday party tomorrow? 

1. I think you (get) the job. 
2. Helen (be)24 next Thursday. 
3. Look at the clouds. I think it (rain).
4. It is getting hot. I (take off) my coat.
5. Thank you! I (call) you later.
6. Next year, my family (travel) to New York. 

Đáp án:

1. are you going to buy
2. will get
3. will be
4. is going to rain.
5. will take off
6. will call
7. is going to travel

Bài tập 2: Chọn đáp án đúng để hoàn thiện những câu sau

1. Tonight, we………..stay at the resort.

A. are

B. will

C. are going to 

2. The film…………start at 6:00 p.m

A. will

B. are going to

C. is going to

3. I feel exhausted. I……..go to bed early tonight. 

A. am going to

B. will

C. a và b

4. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We……..help you.

A. are going to

B. will

C. are

5. Ask me, I…….answer you. 

A. will

B. am going to

C. am

Đáp án: 

1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A