Going To Future
“Going to” is used for plans, intentions, and predictions based on present evidence.
Formation
Affirmative
am/is/are + going to + base verb
| Subject | Be + Going To + Verb |
|---|---|
| I | am going to work |
| He / She / It | is going to work |
| You / We / They | are going to work |
Contractions: I’m going to, She’s going to, They’re going to
Examples:
- I**‘m going to study** medicine.
- She**‘s going to travel** to Japan.
- They**‘re going to move** next month.
Negative
am/is/are + not + going to + base verb
- I**‘m not going to** do that.
- She isn’t going to come.
- They aren’t going to help.
Questions
Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
- Are you going to come?
- Is she going to study?
- What are they going to do?
When to Use “Going To”
1. Plans and Intentions
Something you have already decided to do:
- I**‘m going to buy** a new car. (I’ve decided)
- She**‘s going to start** a new job next month.
- We**‘re going to visit** Paris in summer.
- What are you going to do after university?
Signals: I’ve decided, I’ve planned, I intend to
2. Evidence-Based Predictions
Something you can see or feel is about to happen:
- Look at those clouds! It**‘s going to rain**.
- Be careful! You**‘re going to fall**!
- She looks pale. She**‘s going to faint**.
- The car is speeding. There**‘s going to be** an accident!
3. Something About to Happen
Imminent events:
- The bus is going to leave. Hurry!
- The baby is going to cry.
- I think I**‘m going to sneeze**.
The key distinction between “going to” and “will”: “going to” is used when the decision or evidence already exists before you speak. “Look, it’s going to rain!” (you can see the clouds). “I’m going to study medicine” (you’ve already decided). Use “will” for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking, opinions about the future, and promises.
Going To vs. Will
Plans vs. Spontaneous Decisions
Going to (already planned):
- I**‘m going to visit** my parents this weekend. (planned before)
- What are you going to have? – I**‘m going to have** pizza. (decided before)
Will (decided now):
- I**‘ll have** pizza. (decides while looking at menu)
- I**‘ll visit** my parents this weekend. (decides at moment of speaking)
Evidence vs. Opinion
Going to (evidence):
- Look at those clouds! It**‘s going to rain**. (I can see)
- She’s studied hard. She**‘s going to pass**. (I have evidence)
Will (opinion):
- I think it will rain tomorrow. (my opinion)
- I think she**‘ll pass**. (I believe so)
Going To vs. Present Continuous
Both can express future plans:
Going to - intention, not yet arranged:
- I**‘m going to see** the doctor. (I intend to)
Present continuous - definite arrangement:
- I**‘m seeing** the doctor at 3. (I have an appointment)
Compare:
- I**‘m going to buy** a house. (intention, not arranged)
- I**‘m buying** a house next week. (arranged, papers ready)
Common Patterns
In Questions
- What are you going to do tonight?
- Where are you going to stay?
- When is she going to arrive?
- How are they going to get there?
With Time Expressions
- I’m going to start tomorrow.
- She’s going to leave next week.
- We’re going to travel in summer.
- They’re going to retire in 5 years.
Informal Speech: “Gonna”
In informal spoken English, “going to” often sounds like “gonna”:
- I’m gonna go now. (= I’m going to go)
- What are you gonna do? (= What are you going to do?)
Note: This is spoken/informal. In writing, use “going to.”
Test Your 'Going To' Knowledge
Practice
Choose the correct option:
-
“I’ve decided. I ___ (study) law.” → I**‘m going to study** law. (plan/decision already made)
-
“Look! The baby ___ (cry)!” → The baby is going to cry! (evidence-based prediction)
-
“Would you like pizza or pasta?” – “I ___ (have) pasta.” → I**‘ll have** pasta. (spontaneous decision)
-
“What ___ you ___ (do) after graduation?” → What are you going to do after graduation?