Will, Be Going To & Shall

Will, Be Going To & Shall in English (How to Talk About the Future Naturally and Correctly)

Sooner or later, every English learner asks the same question: Should I say “I will do it” or “I’m going to do it”? Both talk about the future. Both are correct. And yet… they don’t mean exactly the same thing.

In English, the future is not just about time. It’s also about:

• when you decide
• whether you already had a plan
• and whether you can see signs that something is going to happen

And this is exactly why we use will, be going to, and sometimes shall. This difference is very important for B1–B2 learners and appears often in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced).

In this lesson, you will learn when to use will, when to use be going to, how shall is used in modern English and how to choose the right form automatically.

The big idea (the one rule that solves 80% of the problem)

Think like this:

Will – decision now

Be going to – decision before now / plan already exists

Compare:

“The phone is ringing.” → I’ll answer it. (decision now)

“I’m tired.” → I’m going to go to bed. (plan already in your head)

When we use WILL

For decisions made at the moment of speaking

“It’s hot in here.” — I’ll open the window.

“It’s Robert’s birthday!” — Oh, I forgot. I’ll call him now.

“What would you like?” — I’ll have a steak, please.

You decide while speaking.

For promises

• I promise I’ll help you.
• I won’t tell anyone.
• I’ll pay you back next week.

For offers

• I’ll carry your bag.
• I’ll help you with your homework.
• Don’t worry — I’ll take care of it.

For requests

• Will you open the door, please?
• Will you help me for a moment?

For refusals (with won’t)

• I won’t tolerate this behaviour.
• He won’t listen to me.
• It’s too cold. I won’t go out.

For predictions based on opinions (not on evidence)

• I think Manchester United will win.
• Don’t worry, everything will be fine.
• I don’t think this plan will work.

When we use BE GOING TO

For plans and intentions (decision already made)

• I’m going to watch a film tonight.
• We’re going to get married.
• What are you going to do this weekend?

The decision was made before the moment of speaking.

For predictions based on what you see now (evidence)

• Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
• He looks very pale. He’s going to faint.
• That glass is going to fall!

WILL vs BE GOING TO — the core contrast

Compare:

“The bag looks heavy.” → I’ll help you. (decision now)

“I’ve decided.” → I’m going to help you. (plan already)

What about SHALL?

In modern English, shall is limited. We mainly use it in questions:

For suggestions (with we)

• Shall we go for a walk?
• Shall we start the meeting?

For offers (with I)

• Shall I help you with that?
• Shall I open the window?

Outside of these uses, will is much more common today.

Quick summary

Will → decision now, promises, offers, requests, opinions

Going to → plans already made, predictions with evidence

Shall → polite suggestions and offers (mainly in questions)

In Cambridge exams, always ask yourself – “Did the decision already exist, or am I deciding now?” That question alone will give you the correct tense most of the time.

Download the exercise with WILL, BE GOING TO & SHALL in PDF here

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