Timeline: will vs goingto

Nov 15, 2016

Will vs Going to

There is a difference between these two ways of expressing the future. Generally "to be + going to" is used for actions that are going to happen very soon or to express a plan that you have. "Will" is used to express a promise, a prediction or something that you want to do in the future.

Nov 16, 2016

"Going to":

Future tense with "going to" is most commonly used in spoken language when one wants to refer to the immediate future, that is, something that is about to happen.

Nov 17, 2016

It is also used to talk about intentions or plans to do something:

I’m going to learn English = voy a aprender inglés.

Nov 18, 2016

Examples

She is going to pay with a credit card = Ella va a pagar con una tarjeta de crédito (algo que está por ocurrir).
I am going to drop off my prescription over there = voy a dejar mi prescripción médica allá.

Nov 19, 2016

It is formed with the verb "to be" conjugated for the corresponding person, followed by "going to" and the verb base.

"To be" + "going to" + verbo:
I am going to pay = yo voy a pagar.
You are going to pay = tú vas a pagar.
He is going to pay = él va a pagar.

Nov 20, 2016

Will

The future with "will" is used to talk about decisions made while talking:

Nov 21, 2016

Examples:

I need to get my medicine. I will go to the pharmacy tonight.=Necesito comprar mi medicina. Iré a la farmacia esta noche.
I need some cash. I will pay with my debit card and ask for cash back.=Necesito algo de efectivo. Pagaré con mi tarjeta débito y pediré efectivo de vuelta.

Nov 22, 2016

It is also used to say general predictions:

I’m sure it will rain tomorrow.= Estoy seguro de que va a llover mañana.
Gerardo Gómez will win the election.=Gerardo Gómez va a ganar las elecciones.

Nov 23, 2016

It is formed with the verb "will" + verb:

I will pay later.
You will pay later.
He will pay later.
She will pay later.
It will pay later.
We will pay later.
You will pay later.
They will pay later.