What is it?
Be going to is used to talk about future plans, intentions, and predictions based on present evidence.
It is formed with the correct form of be, followed by going to and the base form of a verb.
- I am going to travel next month.
- She is going to study tonight.
- They are going to move soon.
The form of be changes according to the subject.
When to use
Use be going to for a future plan or intention that has already been decided.
- I am going to call my mother tonight.
- We are going to buy a new table.
- He is going to start a new job.
Use be going to for a prediction based on something you can see or know now.
- Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
- That glass is going to fall.
- She studied very hard. She is going to pass the test.
Do not usually use going to for a decision made at the exact moment of speaking. Will is more common for that kind of decision.
- The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
Structure
Affirmative sentences
Use:
subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb
| Subject | Be | Going to | Base verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | going to | work |
| he, she, it | is | going to | work |
| you, we, they | are | going to | work |
- I am going to cook dinner.
- She is going to visit her friend.
- We are going to watch a film.
Common contractions are:
- I am → I’m
- he is → he’s
- she is → she’s
- it is → it’s
- you are → you’re
- we are → we’re
- they are → they’re
Negative sentences
Use:
subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb
- I am not going to stay long.
- He is not going to drive.
- They are not going to come.
Common negative contractions are:
- is not → isn’t
- are not → aren’t
There is no standard contraction for am not.
Questions
Use:
am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb?
- Are you going to study tonight?
- Is she going to join us?
- Are they going to travel this year?
Short answers use the verb be.
- Yes, I am.
- No, she isn’t.
- Yes, they are.
Question words
Use:
question word + am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb?
- What are you going to cook?
- Where is he going to stay?
- When are they going to leave?
The main verb “go”
The verb after going to can also be go.
- We are going to go shopping.
- She is going to go home.
In informal English, speakers often avoid repeating going to go when the destination is clear.
- We are going shopping.
- She is going home.
Examples
- I am going to clean the kitchen tonight.
- She is going to learn Spanish.
- We are going to visit our family this weekend.
- He is not going to sell his car.
- They are not going to stay at the hotel.
- Are you going to cook dinner?
- What are you going to wear?
- Look at the sky. It is going to snow.
- Be careful! You are going to drop that box.
- The team is going to win because it is playing very well.
Exceptions
Going to normally describes future time, but the verb be must still agree with the subject.
- I am going to work.
- She is going to work.
- They are going to work.
Some verbs are not commonly used in continuous forms, but they can still follow going to in their base form.
- I am going to know the answer soon.
- She is going to understand the problem.
In informal speech, going to is often pronounced like gonna, but gonna is usually avoided in formal writing.
- Informal speech: I’m gonna call him.
- Standard writing: I’m going to call him.
Common mistakes
-
Incorrect: I going to study tonight. Correct: I am going to study tonight. Explanation: Use the correct form of be before going to.
-
Incorrect: She are going to travel. Correct: She is going to travel. Explanation: Use is with she.
-
Incorrect: They is going to buy a house. Correct: They are going to buy a house. Explanation: Use are with they.
-
Incorrect: He is going to studies tonight. Correct: He is going to study tonight. Explanation: Use the base form of the verb after going to.
-
Incorrect: Are going to you call her? Correct: Are you going to call her? Explanation: Put the subject after am, is, or are in questions.
-
Incorrect: She not is going to come. Correct: She is not going to come. Explanation: Put not after the verb be.
-
Incorrect: Do you going to work tomorrow? Correct: Are you going to work tomorrow? Explanation: Use am, is, or are, not do, to form questions.
-
Incorrect: I am going to will call him. Correct: I am going to call him. Explanation: Do not use will after going to.