The Future Simple is formed with the modal auxiliary will followed by the base form of the main verb (the infinitive without to). The same form is used for all subjects — there is no conjugation. Will never changes.
Both will and going to refer to the future, but they are not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong one is one of the most common errors at B1–B2 level.
| WILL | GOING TO |
|---|---|
| Decisions made at the moment of speaking | Plans and intentions decided before speaking |
| Offers, promises, requests made right now | Arrangements already in place |
| Predictions based on opinion or belief | Predictions based on present evidence |
| "The phone is ringing." "I'll get it." (spontaneous) | "I'm going to visit my parents tomorrow." (planned) |
| "I think it will rain later." (opinion) | "Look at those clouds — it's going to rain." (evidence) |
The Future Simple with will is used in three main situations. Each exercise page below focuses on one use, with a full explanation and five exercise sets.
Use will for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking, for offers to help, and for promises. This is different from going to, which describes plans decided in advance. Example: "I'll carry that for you." "I promise I won't be late." "The phone's ringing — I'll get it."
Use will to make predictions about the future based on personal opinion, belief, or general expectation — not on visible present evidence. Example: "I think technology will change the way we work." "The economy will probably improve next year."
Use the Present Simple — not will — in time clauses and conditional clauses after conjunctions like when, after, before, as soon as, if, unless. The main clause takes will. Example: "I'll call you when I arrive." "If it rains, we'll stay inside."