Printable Will vs Going To Worksheet | Grade 5 Grammar

This grammar worksheet helps students master the future tense by choosing between "will" and "going to." By applying rules for predictions, planned actions, and spontaneous decisions, learners strengthen their everyday communication skills. The built-in reference guide ensures students work independently with confidence.

At a Glance

• Grade: 5 · Subject: English
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1 — Use verb tense to convey various times and conditions.
• Skill Focus: Future Tense (Will vs. Going To)
• Format: 3 pages · 25 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Independent practice and ESL instruction
• Time: 20–30 minutes

This resource features a clear layout designed for immediate success. The first page includes a helpful reference chart outlining specific use cases for "will" (spontaneous decisions, promises) and "going to" (planned actions, evidence-based predictions). Students then complete 25 fill-in-the-blank sentences testing these rules in context. A complete answer key makes grading fast.

Designed for maximum efficiency, this resource requires almost no teacher preparation:

• Print (1 min): Print the three-page PDF and answer key.
• Distribute (1 min): Hand out the worksheets. The built-in guide lets you skip lengthy whiteboard explanations.
• Review (3 mins): Use the key to quickly check student work.

With prep time under two minutes, this is an ideal solution for busy educators or reliable substitute plans.

This worksheet is aligned to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1, requiring students to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. It specifically targets the ability to use verb tenses to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

This versatile exercise can be deployed in multiple settings. Use it as independent practice following a mini-lesson on future tenses, or assign it as targeted homework. For a quick formative assessment, monitor students on the first five questions; if they confuse spontaneous decisions with planned actions, pause for a reteach. Students should finish the 25-question set within 20 to 30 minutes.

Designed for 5th through 8th-grade language arts students and middle school ESL learners needing explicit grammar instruction. The rule chart provides built-in differentiation, offering a vital scaffold for students who need visual reminders. It pairs perfectly with any introductory lesson on verb tenses or a creative writing assignment.

Mastering the subtle nuances of English verb tenses is a critical component of developing strong written and oral communication skills. This targeted resource directly supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1 by helping students use verb tense to convey various times and conditions accurately. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), providing students with clear, accessible reference tools during independent practice significantly reduces cognitive overload and increases overall task persistence. By embedding a concise rule chart directly on the first page of the worksheet, this activity ensures that learners can immediately apply grammatical concepts without relying solely on working memory. This highly structured approach not only builds immediate competence with distinguishing between "will" and "going to," but also fosters long-term retention of complex grammar rules, ultimately leading to more confident, expressive, and mechanically sound student writing across all academic disciplines.