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

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**.

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.”

Practice

Choose the correct option:

1. “I’ve decided. I ___ (study) law.” → I**‘m going to study** law. (plan/decision already made)

2. “Look! The baby ___ (cry)!” → The baby is going to cry! (evidence-based prediction)

3. “Would you like pizza or pasta?” – “I ___ (have) pasta.” → I**‘ll have** pasta. (spontaneous decision)

4. “What ___ you ___ (do) after graduation?” → What are you going to do after graduation?