Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 2 of 20 · Step 1
Will vs Going To vs Present Continuous for Future
Name
Date
Vocabulary
ambition
nounA strong desire to achieve something in the future.
"Her ambition is to become a doctor."
intend
verbTo plan or mean to do something.
"I intend to apply for that job next week."
predict
verbTo say what you think will happen in the future.
"Experts predict that the population will grow."
career
nounA job or profession that you do for a long period of your life.
"She wants to have a career in engineering."
deadline
nounA date or time by which something must be finished.
"The deadline for the application is Friday."
arrangements
nounPlans or preparations for something that will happen.
"We have made arrangements for the meeting."
eventually
adverbIn the end, after a period of time or a series of events.
"I would like to eventually start my own business."
volunteer
verbTo offer to do something without being paid.
"She is going to volunteer at the animal shelter."
Grammar Focus
Will vs going to vs present continuous for future
Use 'will + infinitive' for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking and for predictions based on opinion. Use 'going to + infinitive' for plans and intentions decided before the moment of speaking, and for predictions based on evidence. Use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) for definite arrangements with a fixed time and place.
I'll have the chicken, please. (spontaneous decision)
I'm going to study medicine — I've already applied. (pre-decided plan)
Look at those clouds — it's going to rain. (prediction based on evidence)
We're meeting the clients at 3 p.m. tomorrow. (fixed arrangement)
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with will, going to, or the present continuous form of the verb.
1. I've decided — I (learn) to drive this summer.
2. Wait, that bag looks heavy. I (help) you.
3. She (have) dinner with her boss at 7 tonight.
4. I think it (be) a great year for the company.
5. They (move) to Canada — they've already bought the tickets.
Exercise 2
Match each sentence to the correct reason for the future form used.
Reading
Plans for the Year Ahead
My friend Clara has big plans for this year. She is going to finish her master's degree in June, and she has already arranged several job interviews for July. Next Saturday, she is flying to Barcelona for a conference — she booked the flights last month. Clara thinks she will probably work in renewable energy because the sector is growing quickly. She also intends to volunteer at a local school once a week. I asked her what she will do if she doesn't find a job immediately, and she said, 'I'll figure it out — I always do.' I admire her confidence. I'm sure she will succeed because she is very determined and hardworking.
1. What is Clara going to finish in June?
2. Why does Clara think she will work in renewable energy?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences about your plans and ambitions for the future. Use will, going to, and the present continuous at least once each.
Example: I'm going to take a professional certification course this autumn. I'm meeting my tutor next Monday to discuss the details. I think it will help me get a better job. Eventually, I will start my own consultancy — that's my long-term dream.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. am going to learn · 2. will help · 3. is having · 4. will be · 5. are going to move
Exercise 2
1. I'll answer the phone. → spontaneous decision · 2. We're flying to Rome on Tuesday. → fixed arrangement · 3. She's going to take the exam in June. → pre-decided plan · 4. I think robots will do most jobs in the future. → prediction based on opinion · 5. Look — the bus is going to leave without us! → prediction based on evidence
Reading Comprehension
1. She is going to finish her master's degree in June. · 2. Because the sector is growing quickly.