Beginner · Now, yesterday and tomorrow · topic 16 of 59 · 15 min
Talking about the future: will and going to
Explanation
English has a few ways to talk about the future (भविष्य). The two most useful are "will" and "be going to". Learn the difference in feeling, but do not worry too much: in many sentences both are fine.
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will + verb | a decision made now | It's cold. I'll close the window. |
| will + verb | a promise or offer | I'll help you. I won't tell anyone. |
| will + verb | a guess about the future | India will win the match. |
| am/is/are going to + verb | a plan made before | I'm going to buy a scooter next month. |
| am/is/are going to + verb | something we can see coming | Look at those clouds. It's going to rain. |
I'll call you tonight.
Say it: ail KAWL yoo to-NYT
मैं आज रात तुम्हें फ़ोन करूँगा।
"I'll" is the short form of "I will". In speech, use the short form.
Don't worry, I'll help you.
Say it: DOHNT WUR-ee, ail HELP yoo
चिंता मत करो, मैं तुम्हारी मदद करूँगा।
I won't be late.
Say it: ai WOHNT bee LAYT
मैं देर नहीं करूँगा।
"Won't" = will not. Say it "wohnt", different from "want".
I'm going to start a tuition class.
Say it: aim GOH-ing to START a tyoo-ISH-un KLAAS
मैं एक ट्यूशन क्लास शुरू करने वाला हूँ।
Are you going to attend the wedding?
Say it: aar yoo GOH-ing to a-TEND the WED-ing?
क्या तुम शादी में जाने वाले हो?
It's going to rain.
Say it: its GOH-ing to RAYN
बारिश होने वाली है।
Bonus: present continuous for fixed plans
We're leaving for Goa on Friday.
Say it: weer LEEV-ing for GOH-a on FRY-day
हम शुक्रवार को गोवा जा रहे हैं।
For plans with a fixed time and place (tickets booked), "We are leaving..." is very natural.
| Future time words | Hindi |
|---|---|
| tomorrow | कल (आने वाला) |
| the day after tomorrow | परसों |
| next week / month / year | अगले हफ़्ते / महीने / साल |
| soon | जल्दी ही |
| in two days | दो दिन में |
Watch the lesson
Talking about the future: will and going to · 1/7
Hello! Today we talk about the future with will and going to.
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In real life: Planning a family trip
Pooja: What are you going to do this Diwali? Ravi: We're going to visit my parents in Lucknow. Pooja: By train? Ravi: Yes, we're leaving on the twentieth. I booked the tickets last week. Pooja: That's nice. Will you bring me some sweets? Ravi: Of course! I'll bring a big box of chena murki for you.
Practice (0/4 done)
Say these sentences.
I'm going to visit my parents next week. I'll call you when I reach.
मैं अगले हफ़्ते अपने माता-पिता से मिलने जाने वाला हूँ। पहुँचकर मैं तुम्हें फ़ोन करूँगा।
Listen and type the sentence.
Write your plan for next weekend in five sentences. Use "going to" for plans and "will" for one promise or guess.
The phone rings. You say:
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