will vs be going to vs will be doing — decision vs plan vs course (GiU Units 20/23/24)
The three stances
Section titled “The three stances”| form | stance | example |
|---|---|---|
| will | decide now / promise / offer / predict (opinion) | The phone’s ringing — I**’ll** get it! · I think it**’ll** rain |
| be going to | intention made before now / prediction from evidence | I**’m going to** study medicine (decided long ago) · Look at those clouds — it**’s going to** rain (you can see it) |
| will be doing | happens anyway, natural course, no new decision | I**’ll be** passing the post office tomorrow (my route includes it) |
| will have done | completed by a future deadline | It will have finished by 11 o’clock (starts 9.30, ≤1h) |
The same fact, three stances (meeting ends 10.30)
Section titled “The same fact, three stances (meeting ends 10.30)”| viewpoint | form |
|---|---|
| now, predicting completion | It will have finished by 10.30 |
| standing at 10.30, watching | It will be finishing (in-flow view) |
| timetable voice | It finishes at 10.30 (present simple = schedule) |
Bare will finish is the weak middle: sounds like a decision/promise about the meeting, when the end is schedule-fact (present simple) or deadline-completion (will have done).
be going to vs will — the classic split
Section titled “be going to vs will — the classic split”Prior intention → going to:
- Why are you turning on the TV? — I**’m going to** watch the news. (decided before you asked)
- ✗ same scene with I’ll watch — that means the decision is being made just now
Decide-now → will:
- Did you invite Tom? — Oh no, I forgot! I**’ll** invite him now. (decision born at this moment)
Prediction:
- evidence visible → going to: Look out! That ladder is going to fall!
- opinion/belief → will: I think United will win.
will be doing — the third stance
Section titled “will be doing — the third stance”Not a decision and not a plan-announcement: the event is already in motion by normal flow (routes, timetables, standing arrangements).
- Will you be seeing Sue tomorrow? — is she in your tomorrow anyway? (softens a request)
- I’ll be working late tonight — the evening is arranged so, not a fresh vow
- Test: can you add “anyway / as usual” without changing meaning? → will be doing
Japanese anchor
Section titled “Japanese anchor”- つもり (tsumori) = be going to (prior intention): 医者になるつもりです
- でしょう (deshou) = will (prediction)
- 〜するところだった = was going to (but didn’t)
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use Units 20 (going to), 23 (will), 24 (will be doing / will have done). Ebot lesson 2026-09.