The FIGHT for the FUTURE

It's BIG! It's scary! And it's coming straight for you. No, it’s not a monster, an alien invasion or a zombie party. It's not even the latest science fiction movie. 

It's... THE FUTURE.

The struggle for the future.

The struggle between WILL and GOING TO

OK, so it's not so scary. But it is one of those common mistakes that pop up every now and then among English Users. Now, we've spoken about this before in another post, but only referring to predicting the future. This time, we will discuss the matter in greater detail.

So start by asking yourself, in this struggle between WILL and GOING TO:

WILL you ever know who wins the fight?

Are you really GOING TO stay until the end to find out?

Wouldn't you rather get a cup of coffee before reading the rest?

Let us save you the trouble. You win the fight. That's right. You win THE FUTURE... but only if you follow the rules that follow.

So let's talk about WILL and let's talk about GOING TO, shall we?

WILL

Some people actually believe this is the only verb we should use to talk about the future. But obviously, it isn’t.

Below you will find some cases when it is recommend you use WILL. While you're going through the list, see if you can recognize some of them from movies, songs and even, real life.

Promises

• "I'll be there for you". (Bon Jovi)
• "I'll be back". (Terminator)
• "I'll never let go". (Rose from Titanic)

Offer to Help

• (Phone's ringing) "I'll get it!"

Request for Help

• (Doorbell's ringing) "Will somebody please answer that?"

Predictions About the Future

• "Build it and he will come". (Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams)

Refusal of Things

• "We will not go quietly into the night". ("The President" in Independence Day)

Spontaneous Decision

• "I'll have what she's having" (Lady from the other table in When Harry Met Sally)

And here is other one...

GOING TO

When do we use it in terms of the future? Mostly, when we...

State a Plan or an Intention

•  "I'm gonna (going to) rock and roll all night and party everyday". (KISS)
• "You're going to need a bigger boat". (Sheriff Brody in Jaws)
• "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse". (Vito Corleone in The Godfather)
•  (anybody) I'm going to the dentist next week.

So yes, people use WILL and GOING TO refer to the future, but in different ways. Try to review these well-known examples and try to come up with some of your own.

So the question is... Will you do it? Are you going to really schedule a moment to do so? Of course, only you know that.

In the meantime, check out some of the scenes we mentioned and see what context they were used in. Enjoy!

The BLACK HOLE of Predicting the Future

This lesson is about black holes.

Or at least that's what the title says.

It's really about.. predicting the future. But not the future of the universe and the world. It's simply about predicting the future of a lonely office employee who has a crisis with the photocopying machine.

But as the the Chinese proverb says, Crisis is Opportunity.

So, anyway. Let's practice some English. Let's predict the FUTURE with WILL or GOING TO.

What’s the difference? It’s subtle.

WILL suggests you are more certain about your prediction than GOING TO. As a result, it’s more common to hear GOING TO.

EXAMPLES:
What do you think John will do? / I think he’ll sign the contract.
What do you think John is going to do? / I think he’s going to sign the contract. (Pronounced “gonna” in Am. Eng)

So are YOU ready to enter the BLACK HOLE and PREDICT the future? If so…

a. PLAY THE VIDEO UP TO 0:30 only. Then press PAUSE (That means don't continue watching the video)

OK, what's going to happen next? (write your answer somewhere, we'll wait while you go get something to write with). Fill in the blank.

I think the photocopy machine will / is going to ________________.



b. PLAY THE VIDEO UP TO 01:00. Then press PAUSE

What's going to happen next?

I think the office employee will / is going to _________________.

c. PLAY THE VIDEO UP TO 01:30. Then press PAUSE

What's going to happen next?

I think the office employee will / is going to _________________.

d. PLAY THE VIDEO UP TO 0 2:00. Then press PAUSE

What's going to happen next?

I think the office employee will / is going to _________________.

e. PLAY THE VIDEO UP TO 0 2:30. Then press PAUSE

What's going to happen next?

I think the office employee will / is going to __________________.


Suggested Answer Key:
a. print a white paper with a black hole
b. put his hand through the black hole.
c. take a chocolate/candy bar from the vending machine
d. take money from the safety box
e. There is no right prediction. Your guess is as good as ours.

Moral of the story: Use WILL / GOING TO to predict the future, but beware of mysterious photocopy machines, English Users.