GOING TO
We use going to to talk about future plans decided before the time of speaking.
A: What are you going to do next summer?
B: We’re going to spend the whole summer by the sea.
We also use “going to” when we can see a future action coming because of the present situation.
Look at that child! He’s going to fall off his bike!
Se prefiere utilizar GOING TO cuando la decisión se ha tomado previamente, es decir antes de mencionarla.
Mario: When does Elena get back? (Mario: ¿Cuándo regresa Elena?)
Paulo: Tomorrow evening. I’m going to pick her up from the airport.
(Paulo: Mañana por la noche. Pasaré a buscarla por el aeropuerto.)
The first form is made up by the verb "to be" + "going to" + the verb in base form.
Eg simples
- I am going to write a letter for you tomorrow.
- She is going to travel to England next month.
- Cecile and Arnaud are going to cook a French dish called ratatuie.
Interrogative
- Are you going to visit your grandmother next summer?
- Is she going to travel to England next month?
- Are Cecile and Arnaud going to cook a French dish called ratatuie?
Negative
- I am not going to go to class on Monday.
- She is not going to travel to England next month.
- Cecile and Arnaud are not going to cook an American dish.
WILL
We use will when we decide to do something at the moment we speak.
A: Tomorrow is Daniel’s birthday.
B: Oh, yes! You’re right. I have forgotten about it. I’ll buy a present for him.
We also use will to talk about what we think or know will happen in the future.
I think it’ll be easy for him to pass the exam.
Se prefiere utilizar WILL cuando la decisión se toma mientras se la menciona.
Elena: The flight arrives at 10:00 tomorrow evening.
Elena: El vuelo llega a las 22:00 horas de mañana.
Paulo: I’ll pick you up from the airport, if you like.
Paulo: Te pasaré a buscar por el aeropuerto, si te viene bien.
The other tense used to express future in English is formed with the auxiliary
"will" + verb in the infinitive form of the main verb.
We use will as the auxiliary for this tense. Here is the structure of the affirmative sentences:
- It's cold in here. I will close the door.
- Doris and Rose will call you tonight, don't forget it.
- I will take the English course next year.
To form a negative sentence in this tense won't is used. Like this:
- I won't open the door just because you tell me so.
- You won't be invited to their wedding.
- That class won't be offered next semester.
CUANDO AMBAS FORMAS SON POSIBLES
Existen muchas situaciones de futuro en las cuales la elección ¿WILL o GOING TO? se complica o no resulta muy clara. Por ejemplo, si el acontecimiento futuro no es producto de un plan personal o de una decisión individual. Observa:
What time WILL the party start? (¿A qué hora comenzará la fiesta?)
What time is the party GOING TO to start? (¿A qué hora va a comenzar la fiesta?)
O también cuando se está generalizando una predicción sin enfatizar ninguna de las dos categorías anteriores. Como en este caso:
The supermarket WILL be busy tomorrow. (El supermercado estará lleno mañana.)
The supermarket’s GOING TO be busy tomorrow. (El supermercado va a estar lleno mañana.)