“Will / Won’t” vs. “Going to”

On my next vacation, I’m going to stay in a nice hotel in Paris.

There are two ways to talk about the future in English: will/won’t and going to.

Use “going to” for plans and arrangements:

• On my next vacation, I”m going to stay in a nice hotel in Paris.
• Her current contract ends in December, so she’s going to look for a new job.
• David’s going to meet me at the airport. He said he would be there at 8:00.
• We’re going to get married in July. We’re already sending out invitations!
• They’re going to visit Amy next week. They made plans to meet up on Monday.
• Peter and Paul are going to share an apartment when they move to New York.

Use “will/won’t” for promises:

• I‘ll send you an e-mail.
• I won’t tell anyone your secret.
• He‘ll pay you back tomorrow.
• We won’t forget your birthday.

Use “will” for offers:

• I‘ll buy you a drink.
• My secretary will help you with the paperwork.

Use “will” for decisions made in the moment:

• “Would you like potatoes or rice?”
  “I‘ll have the rice.”
•  “Which shirt do you like?”
  “Well, the red one is cheaper, but I prefer the color blue. I‘ll take the blue one.”

Use “will/won’t” or “going to” for predictions or statements about the future:

• My company‘s going to move its headquarters overseas next year.
• Your wife will love those flowers – they’re beautiful!
• The economy isn’t going to improve much this year.
• He won’t pass the test. He hasn’t studied at all.

Use I think… will and I don’t think… will to express thoughts about the future.

Don’t use I think… won’t. (it doesn’t sound natural).

• I think you won’t like this movie. It’s very violent.
• I don’t think you’ll like this movie. It’s very violent.

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