Lesson 28 · Stage 3: Plans, requests & comparing
Future with “going to”
BeginnerForm & use
be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see coming
1.Form
am / is / are + going to + base verb.
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I'm going to stay | I'm not going to stay | Am I going to stay? |
| he / she / it | she's going to stay | she isn't going to stay | Is she going to stay? |
| we / you / they | they're going to stay | they aren't going to stay | Are they going to stay? |
Wh- questions: What are you going to cook? Who is going to drive? Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, she isn't. I'm going to go… is perfectly correct, even if it sounds repetitive.
Two common slips: forgetting be (I going to…) and forgetting to or changing the verb after it (going to moving). In fast speech going to often sounds like gonna — only write gonna in casual messages.
2.When to use it
1. Intentions — something you decided before speaking
I'm going to learn to swim this summer.
Why are you buying paint? — I'm going to paint my bedroom.
We're not going to buy a car this year. It's too expensive.
2. Predictions based on what you can see now
Look at the sky over the river. It's going to rain.
Careful! You're going to spill your coffee.
It's 8:55 and class starts at nine. We're going to be late.
3. Past intentions: was / were going to — usually something that didn't happen in the end (see the lesson “Was going to”)
I was going to call you last night, but my phone died.
3.Going to or will?
Both talk about the future. The difference is when you decided and what your prediction is based on.
| be going to | will | |
|---|---|---|
| Decision | made before you speak | made as you speak |
| Example | I'm going to buy a new phone. I've saved enough. | Oh, this one's on sale! I'll take it. |
| Prediction | based on something you can see now | your opinion or feeling (I think, probably…) |
| Example | Look at that queue! We're going to wait for ages. | I think the new café will do well. |
Compare the same situation:
We're out of milk. — I know. I'm going to get some after work.
decided earlier
We're out of milk. — Oh, are we? I'll get some.
decided just now
For a general prediction with no particular sign, the two are often interchangeable: I think it'll be hot tomorrow = I think it's going to be hot tomorrow. And for a personal plan with a time fixed, the present continuous is very natural too: I'm meeting Lan at six (see the lesson “Present continuous for future plans”).
Many learners use will for every future idea. Before you speak, ask yourself: did I already decide this? Yes → going to. Deciding right now → will.
4.Common mistakes
I going to call you tomorrow.I'm going to call you tomorrow.
be is missing.
They are going to moving to Da Lat.They are going to move to Da Lat.
Base form after going to.
Do you going to watch the match?Are you going to watch the match?
Questions put be first — no do.
It's going to rains this afternoon.It's going to rain this afternoon.
No -s after to.
What you are going to do after graduation?What are you going to do after graduation?
In questions, be comes before the subject.
Examples
- Look at those dark clouds. It is going to rain.
- Are you going to call him tonight?
- We are going to visit our grandparents this weekend.
- My parents are going to retire next year.
