Future Simple (will / be going to) (Futuro Simple)

Talking About the Future (Hablar sobre el Futuro)

In English, there isn't one single tense for the future. We use different forms depending on the situation and the speaker's intention. Two of the most common ways to talk about the future are using will and be going to.
En inglés, no hay un solo tiempo verbal para el futuro. Usamos diferentes formas dependiendo de la situación y la intención del hablante. Dos de las formas más comunes para hablar sobre el futuro son usar will y be going to.

Understanding the difference between them is important for expressing future ideas correctly.
Entender la diferencia entre ellos es importante para expresar ideas futuras correctamente.

Future with "will" (Futuro con "will")

We use will to talk about the future in several situations, often related to predictions, spontaneous decisions, offers, and promises.
Usamos will para hablar del futuro en varias situaciones, a menudo relacionadas con predicciones, decisiones espontáneas, ofrecimientos y promesas.

Structure with "will" (Estructura con "will"):

Affirmative (+): Subject + will + Base Verb ... (Contraction: 'll)
Example: I will help you. / She'll call later. Ejemplo: Yo te ayudaré. / Ella llamará más tarde.
Negative (-): Subject + will not (won't) + Base Verb ...
Example: We will not be late. / They won't come. Ejemplo: Nosotros no llegaremos tarde. / Ellos no vendrán.
Question (?): Will + Subject + Base Verb ... ?
Example: Will you marry me? / Will it rain? Ejemplo: ¿Te casarás conmigo? / ¿Lloverá?

Common Uses of "will" (Usos Comunes de "will"):

Predictions (often with think, believe, probably, maybe): I think it will rain tomorrow. (Creo que lloverá mañana.)
Spontaneous Decisions (made at the moment): Oh, I forgot my wallet. I'll go back. (Oh, olvidé mi cartera. Volveré.)
Offers: That bag looks heavy. I'll help you. (Esa bolsa parece pesada. Te ayudaré.)
Promises: I promise I won't tell anyone. (Prometo que no se lo diré a nadie.)
Refusals (with won't): The car won't start. (El coche no arranca / no quiere arrancar.)

Future with "be going to" (Futuro con "be going to")

We use be going to primarily to talk about future plans made before the moment of speaking, or to make predictions based on present evidence.
Usamos be going to principalmente para hablar de planes futuros hechos antes del momento de hablar, o para hacer predicciones basadas en evidencia presente.

Structure with "be going to" (Estructura con "be going to"):

Affirmative (+): Subject + am/is/are + going to + Base Verb ...
Example: I am going to watch a movie. / He is going to travel. Ejemplo: Yo voy a ver una película. / Él va a viajar.
Negative (-): Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + going to + Base Verb ...
Example: She isn't going to come. / We aren't going to eat yet. Ejemplo: Ella no va a venir. / Nosotros no vamos a comer todavía.
Question (?): Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + Base Verb ... ?
Example: Are you going to call him? / Is it going to rain? Ejemplo: ¿Vas a llamarle? / ¿Va a llover?

Common Uses of "be going to" (Usos Comunes de "be going to"):

Future Plans & Intentions (decided before): We are going to buy a new car next month. (Vamos a comprar un coche nuevo el mes que viene.)
Predictions based on present evidence: Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain. ☁️(¡Mira esas nubes negras! Va a llover.)

"Will" vs. "Be Going To" (Comparación)

Sometimes both can be used, especially for predictions, but there's often a subtle difference in meaning or context.
A veces se pueden usar ambos, especialmente para predicciones, pero a menudo hay una diferencia sutil en el significado o contexto.

Key Differences (Diferencias Clave):

Decision Time:
- Will: Spontaneous decision (made now). (Decisión espontánea - hecha ahora.)
  Example: The phone is ringing. I'll get it!
- Be going to: Prior plan/intention (decided before now). (Plan/intención previa - decidido antes de ahora.)
  Example: I'm going to call Sarah tonight. (I decided earlier).
Predictions:
- Will: Based on opinion, belief, or general expectation. (Basada en opinión, creencia o expectativa general.)
  Example: I think Brazil will win the World Cup.
- Be going to: Based on present evidence (something we see or know now). (Basada en evidencia presente - algo que vemos o sabemos ahora.)
  Example: Watch out! That box is going to fall! (I see it moving).

Compare:
A: "I'm cold." B: "I will close the window." (Spontaneous offer/decision)
vs.
A: "Why are you putting on your coat?" B: "Because I am going to go outside." (Prior intention)
Compara:
A: "Tengo frío." B: "Cerraré la ventana." (Ofrecimiento/decisión espontánea)
vs.
A: "¿Por qué te pones el abrigo?" B: "Porque voy a salir." (Intención previa)

More Examples (Más Ejemplos)

Practice identifying the context.
Practica identificando el contexto.

(Plan) They are going to get married next year. 💍
(Plan) Ellos se van a casar el año que viene.

(Prediction/Opinion) Maybe I will see you at the party.
(Predicción/Opinión) Quizás te vea en la fiesta.

(Evidence) Be careful! You are going to drop those glasses! 👓⬇️
(Evidencia) ¡Ten cuidado! ¡Se te van a caer esas gafas!

(Offer) Don't worry, I will lend you some money. 💰
(Ofrecimiento) No te preocupes, te prestaré algo de dinero.

(Promise) We will always remember this day.
(Promesa) Siempre recordaremos este día.

(Spontaneous Decision) A: "We don't have any milk." B: "Really? I'll go and buy some." 🥛🛒
(Decisión Espontánea) A: "No tenemos leche." B: "¿En serio? Iré a comprar algo."