When to avoid using ‘will’ and using the present tense or ‘going to do’ when talking about the future

You do not use ‘will’

• to talk about what you have already arranged to do in the future

You use the present continuous

What are you doing after work? (NOT ‘What will you do after work?’)
Peter and Jenny are getting engaged at Christmas. (NOT Peter and Jenny will get engaged at Christmas)
I’m catching the night-train to Scotland. (NOT I will catch the night-train to Scotland.

going to ….is used

• to indicate you’ve decided / you intend to do something in the future
• to describe an event you can see coming

Look at that sky – it’s going to be a lovely day.
I know what’s going to happen. He’s going to fall in the lake.
I feel awful. I think I’m going to be sick. (ie I feel awful now)

Avoid ‘will’ in this exercise

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