Going To vs Will
There is some difference between going to and will though the two terms going to and will appear to be alike in meaning. The usages of will and going to also should be known with precision. Going to is an expression made by using the verb go. Will, on the other hand, is a well-known verb in the English language that is known as a modal verb. The verb will has its origins in the Old English word wyllan. There are phrases used in the English language that incorporates the use of the word will such as will do. Will do is an informal expression that shows someone’s willingness to carry out a request or suggestion.
What does Going To mean?
The expression going to is used generally in the informal way as in the sentence given below.
I am going to tell the truth.
The expression going to is often preceded by the auxiliary verb ‘am’ and its various forms such as ‘is’, ‘are’ as in sentences given below.
I am going to make an announcement.
It is going to happen very soon.
They are going to be successful.
In the three sentences given above, you can see that the expression going to is preceded by the auxiliary verb ‘am’ and its forms such as ‘is’ and ‘are’. Going to is often used as a present continuous expression as in the sentence given below.
I am going to the church now.
In this sentence, you can see that the expression going to is used as the present continuous form of the verb to go. Unlike the verb will that indicates certainty, the expression going to may not indicate certainty.
‘I am going to the church now.’
What does Will mean?
The same sentence ‘I am going to tell the truth’ can be uttered in a formal way by the use of the verb in the future form will as mentioned below.
I will tell the truth.
On the other hand, the verb will is normally used in the future tense as in the following sentence.
He will come tomorrow.
The use of the verb will indicates certainty and would mean that the person is going to come surely tomorrow. Hence, the use of will indicates certainty. It is interesting to note that the verb will is normally used in the case of the second and third person pronouns or nouns. On the other hand, it is used as shall in the case of the first person as in the sentences given below.
I shall think about it.
We shall see.
However, one should remember that using the verb will with first person pronouns is not wrong. It is simply that you have the alternative of shall for the case of first person.
What is the difference between Going To and Will?
• The expression going to is used generally in the informal way while the verb will is used to express the same meaning in a formal manner. This is the main difference between the two expressions, will and going to.
• The expression going to is often preceded by the auxiliary verb ‘am’ and its various forms such as ‘is’, ‘are.’
• Going to is often used as a present continuous expression .
• On the other hand, the verb will is normally used in the future tense.
• Also, the use of the verb will indicates certainty.
• On the other hand, the expression going to may not indicate certainty.
• When it comes to the verb will, you can also use shall for the first person pronouns only.
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