Functions with "will" and "wonīt" and "going to".
How you can use 'will' or ' 'll':
1.Will can be used to invite e.g. ĻWill you have a meal with us tonight?"
2.It can be used to make a polite request: e.g. "Will you help me, please?"
3.It can be used to predict: e.g. "Itīll be a lovely day tomorrow".
4. And to warn e.g. "You wonīt be able to sleep tonight if you drink so much coffee!"
5.It can be used to refuse e.g. "I wonīt let him in my house".
6.And it can be used to offer e.g. "Iīll carry that for you".
7.It can be used to "suppose" e.g. Heīll be home now. Itīs six oīclock. He always gets home at this time"
Functions of "Going to":
1. To talk about the future when the decision has already been made before the moment of speaking.
e.g. "I decided yesterday: Iīm going to leave my job".
2.To talk about the future when thereīs evidence, or proof, which makes you certain about an action in the future. E.g. Nancy and John are going to have a baby.
Practice Exercise:
Now decide which one is correct and what it means:
1. Oh! Youīre going to the airport too. ........give me a lift?
2. I havenīt got any money. .........go to the bank.
3. Look at those black clouds. Iīm sure it...........rain.
4. When Tim grows up, he..............a geologist.
5. Donīt jump! You.........................kill yourself!
6. I feel terrible! I think I..................be sick.
7. My fatherīs a good lawyer and he.....help you to get a divorce if you ask him.
8. (child to parent: ) I................go to bed. (negative).
9. The exam results ....................be ready. Itīs the last day of school.
10. She.....................visit her mother tomorrow. She always visits her on Sunday.
Answers:
1. Will you (or could you) give me a lift?
2. I'm going to go to the bank.
3. I'm sure it's going to rain.
4. He's going to be a geologist.
5. You'll kill yourself!
6. I'm going to be sick.
7...he will help you....
8. I won't go to bed.
9. The exam results will be ready.
10. She's going to visit her mother tomorrow.
See The A - Z of English Grammar & Usage for the rules.
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