When do I use 'will' instead of 'going to'?

Use 'will' for predictions and decisions you make right now, like deciding to help: "I'll get the door." Use 'going to' for plans you decided earlier. Both talk about the future, but 'will' captures the spontaneous, in-the-moment choice.

Does 'will' change with he, she, or it?

No. 'Will' is the same for every subject: I will, you will, she will, they will. There's no extra -s. After will, always use the base verb with no 'to' (say "She will agree," never "She will to agree").

What does 'won't' mean?

'Won't' is the contraction of 'will not.' So "She won't agree." means she will not agree, either because she refuses or because you predict she won't. In casual speech, the positive form also contracts to 'll, as in "I'll" and "it'll."

Tenses & Aspect

Using 'Will' for Predictions and Instant Decisions

Level A2 Tenses & Aspect

Key idea

Use 'will' + the base verb for predictions, promises, and decisions you make at the moment of speaking, as in "I'll get the door." and "It will be cold tomorrow." The form never changes: it's the same for every person and usually contracts to 'll in speech, with the negative shortening to won't, as in "She won't agree." Don't add 'to' after will, and don't use will for plans you'd already decided earlier, where 'going to' sounds more natural.

Examples

I'll get the door. a decision made right now
It will be cold tomorrow. a prediction about tomorrow
She won't agree. she refuses / it is predicted she won't

The full lesson

Everything in the video, in text.

will + verb

predictions & instant decisions

The phone rings. You want to grab it — but how do you say so in English? Get this one word right and you sound instant, natural, sure.
will + base verb = a prediction, or a decision made right now.

Use will for two things: a prediction about the future, and a decision you make right now, in the moment of speaking.
will + base verb

I / you / we / they will go
he / she / it will go

The form is wonderfully simple. Will plus the base verb — no -s, no -ing, no to. And it's the same for every person.
I'll get the door.
instant decision

First, the instant decision. Something happens, and you decide on the spot. I'll get the door.
🗣️
In speech, will → 'll : I'll, you'll, she'll, we'll.

Did you hear that? I'll, not I will. In speech, will almost always shrinks to ll. It's the natural, everyday sound.
It will be cold tomorrow.
prediction

Now a prediction. You look ahead and say what you think will happen. It will be cold tomorrow.
I think they will win.
predictions often start with 'I think'

We often soften predictions with I think, I'm sure, or maybe. It still uses will. I think they will win.
She won't agree.
won't = will not

For the negative, use won't — short for will not. It's a refusal or a confident prediction that something won't happen. She won't agree.
will vs going to
will
decide right now
prediction
I'll get it!
going to
already planned
intention
I'm going to call her
Here's the line that confuses everyone. Will is for decisions made now. Going to is for plans you already decided earlier.
✗ I will to help you. no 'to' after will

✓ I will help you. will + base verb

will is a modal: will + bare verb, never 'will to'.

The number one mistake: adding to after will. Will is a modal — it takes the bare verb. Never will to.
✗ I will visit Rome next week. (already booked) an arranged plan

✓ I'm going to visit Rome next week. use 'going to' for set plans

Already decided → going to. Decided now → will.

Second trap: using will for a plan you'd already made. If it's settled, going to sounds far more natural.
Remember
- will + base verb (no 'to')
- predictions & instant decisions
- contracts to 'll · negative = won't
So: will plus the bare verb for predictions and on-the-spot decisions. It contracts to ll, the negative is won't, and never add to.

Examples

will + verb

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