🎯 Grammar Lesson

Future (be + going to)

🎯 Objective

To help learners master the formation and usage of "be + going to" for expressing future plans, intentions, and evidence-based predictions in all forms: affirmative, negative, and questions.

📖 Grammar Focus

"Be + going to" is used to express planned future actions, intentions, and predictions based on present evidence. It emphasizes preparation and intention more than the simple "will" future.

Form Structure Example Usage
Affirmative Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb I'm going to study medicine. Plans, intentions
Negative Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb She's not going to attend the meeting. What won't happen
Yes/No Questions Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb? Are you going to join us for dinner? Asking about plans
WH-Questions WH-word + am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb? What are you going to do tonight? Specific information
Evidence-based Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb Look! It's going to rain. Visible evidence

📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering "Be + Going To"

Understanding "Be + Going To"

What is "Be + Going To"? It's a future form that expresses actions we have already decided to do, plans we have made, or predictions based on current evidence.

Key Concept: The decision or plan was made before the moment of speaking, unlike "will" which can be spontaneous.

Formation Rules - All Subjects

1. ✅ Affirmative Formation

I: I am going to / I'm going to

You: You are going to / You're going to

He/She/It: He/She/It is going to / He's/She's/It's going to

We/They: We/They are going to / We're/They're going to

Example: I'm going to visit my grandmother next week.

2. ❌ Negative Formation

I: I am not going to / I'm not going to

You: You are not going to / You're not going to / You aren't going to

He/She/It: He/She/It is not going to / He's/She's/It's not going to / He/She/It isn't going to

We/They: We/They are not going to / We're/They're not going to / We/They aren't going to

Example: We're not going to wait any longer.

3. ❓ Question Formation

Yes/No Questions: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?

I: Am I going to succeed?

You: Are you going to help us?

He/She/It: Is he/she/it going to arrive on time?

We/They: Are we/they going to participate?

4. ❓ WH-Question Formation

What: What are you going to do?

Where: Where is she going to live?

When: When are they going to arrive?

How: How are we going to solve this?

Why: Why is he going to quit his job?

Main Uses of "Be + Going To"

1. 📋 Plans and Intentions (Already Decided):
  • I'm going to study abroad next year. (already decided and planned)
  • We're going to renovate our house this summer. (plan made)
  • She's going to apply for a new job. (intention formed)
  • They're going to get married in June. (arrangements made)
2. 🔍 Evidence-Based Predictions:
  • Look at those dark clouds! It's going to rain. (visible evidence)
  • The baby's crying - she's going to wake up soon. (signs present)
  • Traffic is terrible - we're going to be late. (current situation)
  • He's running very fast - he's going to win the race. (observable)
3. 🎯 Near Future Events:
  • The meeting is going to start in five minutes. (imminent)
  • I'm going to graduate next month. (near future)
  • The store is going to close soon. (about to happen)
  • She's going to have a baby in two weeks. (approaching)
4. 🗣️ Asking About Plans:
  • What are you going to do this weekend? (weekend plans)
  • Where are you going to go on vacation? (travel plans)
  • Are you going to study tonight? (evening plans)
  • When are they going to move to their new house? (future plans)

Key Differences: Going To vs Will

✅ Use "Going To" For:
  • Plans already made: I'm going to visit my parents this weekend
  • Evidence-based predictions: She looks tired - she's going to sleep early
  • Intentions: I'm going to learn Spanish this year
  • Near future: The bus is going to arrive any minute
  • Asking about plans: What are you going to wear?
⚡ Use "Will" For:
  • Spontaneous decisions: I'll answer the phone
  • General predictions: Robots will change our lives
  • Promises: I will help you tomorrow
  • Offers: I'll carry your bag
  • Formal situations: The meeting will begin at 9 AM

Short Answers with "Be + Going To"

Positive Short Answers:
  • Q: Are you going to join us? A: Yes, I am.
  • Q: Is she going to call you? A: Yes, she is.
  • Q: Are they going to attend? A: Yes, they are.
Negative Short Answers:
  • Q: Are you going to buy it? A: No, I'm not.
  • Q: Is he going to come? A: No, he isn't. / No, he's not.
  • Q: Are we going to wait? A: No, we aren't. / No, we're not.

Common Time Expressions

Time Expressions Often Used with "Going To":
  • Tonight: I'm going to cook dinner tonight.
  • Tomorrow: She's going to start her new job tomorrow.
  • Next week/month/year: We're going to travel next summer.
  • This weekend: Are you going to relax this weekend?
  • Soon: The show is going to start soon.
  • Later: I'm going to call him later.
  • In + time: They're going to move in two months.

Common Mistakes and Corrections

Typical Errors:
  • ❌ Missing "to": I'm going study → ✅ I'm going to study
  • ❌ Wrong auxiliary: I going to help → ✅ I'm going to help
  • ❌ Double future: I will going to come → ✅ I'm going to come
  • ❌ Wrong verb form: I'm going to studied → ✅ I'm going to study
  • ❌ Question order: What you are going to do? → ✅ What are you going to do?
  • ❌ Missing auxiliary in questions: You going to help? → ✅ Are you going to help?

🧩 Task: Complete the "Be + Going To" Exercises

Transform the given situations into correct "be + going to" sentences using the appropriate form.

📝 Complete using "be + going to":

1. Transform: "She / study / medicine / at university" → (Affirmative)

2. Make negative: "We're going to attend the conference next week." → We _____

3. Form question: "you / visit / your family / this Christmas?" → (Yes/No question)

4. Evidence prediction: "Look at those clouds! (rain)" → It _____

5. WH-question: Make a question asking about weekend plans using "What"

1. ✅ Create an affirmative sentence with the given words:

2. ✅ Transform to negative form:

3. ✅ Create a Yes/No question:

4. ✅ Complete the evidence-based prediction:

5. ✅ Create a WH-question about weekend plans:

✅ Answer Key & Explanation

1. ✅ Affirmative Sentence:

Answer: "She's going to study medicine at university." OR "She is going to study medicine at university."

Structure: Subject (She) + is (3rd person singular) + going to + base verb (study) + object/complement

Usage: Expresses a plan or intention that has already been decided

2. ✅ Negative Transformation:

Answer: "We're not going to attend the conference next week." OR "We aren't going to attend the conference next week."

Structure: Subject + are + not + going to + base verb

Note: Both contractions (we're not / we aren't) are acceptable

3. ✅ Yes/No Question:

Answer: "Are you going to visit your family this Christmas?"

Structure: Are (auxiliary) + you (subject) + going to + visit (base verb) + object + time

Short answers: "Yes, I am." / "No, I'm not."

4. ✅ Evidence-Based Prediction:

Answer: "It's going to rain!" OR "It is going to rain!"

Explanation: Use "going to" for predictions based on present evidence (visible clouds)

Context: The speaker can see dark clouds, which is evidence that rain will come

5. ✅ WH-Question About Weekend Plans:

Answer: "What are you going to do this weekend?" OR "What are you going to do at the weekend?"

Structure: What (WH-word) + are (auxiliary) + you (subject) + going to + do (base verb) + time expression

Usage: Asking about someone's planned activities for the weekend

🏆 Real-Life Conversations and Advanced Usage

Natural Conversations with "Be + Going To":

Conversation 1: Making Plans

  • A: What are you going to do tonight?
  • B: I'm going to stay home and watch a movie. How about you?
  • A: I'm going to meet some friends for dinner.
  • B: That sounds nice! Where are you going to go?
  • A: We're going to try that new Italian restaurant downtown.

Conversation 2: Evidence-Based Predictions

  • A: Look at the time! We're going to miss the train!
  • B: Don't worry, we're going to make it. The station is just around the corner.
  • A: But there's so much traffic. We're going to be stuck here for ages.
  • B: Actually, the traffic light is going to change soon. See? It's already turning yellow.
Professional and Academic Contexts:

Job Interview:

  • I'm going to graduate with a degree in engineering next year.
  • After graduation, I'm going to apply for positions in renewable energy companies.
  • I'm going to continue developing my technical skills through online courses.

Business Meeting:

  • We're going to launch the new product line in the spring.
  • The marketing team is going to develop a comprehensive campaign.
  • Are we going to hire additional staff for this project?
  • The CEO is going to announce the quarterly results tomorrow.
Family and Personal Situations:

Family Plans:

  • We're going to spend Christmas with my parents this year.
  • The kids are going to be so excited about their new bicycles.
  • My sister is going to bring her famous apple pie.
  • Are you going to help me decorate the Christmas tree?

Health and Fitness:

  • I'm going to start going to the gym regularly.
  • She's going to see a doctor about her back pain.
  • We're going to try eating more vegetables and less processed food.
  • He's going to quit smoking after his birthday.
Travel and Vacation Plans:
  • We're going to visit Japan during cherry blossom season.
  • I'm going to book the flights as soon as I get paid.
  • Are you going to take time off work for the trip?
  • She's going to learn some basic Japanese phrases before she goes.
  • They're going to stay in traditional ryokan hotels.
  • Where are you going to go after Tokyo?
Warning and Urgent Situations:
  • Careful! That glass is going to fall!
  • Hurry up! The store is going to close in ten minutes!
  • Watch out! That dog is going to jump on you!
  • Don't touch that! You're going to burn yourself!
  • Slow down! We're going to crash!
Advanced Question Patterns:

Information Questions:

  • What: What are you going to study at university?
  • Where: Where are they going to live after they get married?
  • When: When is she going to start her new job?
  • How: How are we going to solve this problem?
  • Why: Why are you going to change your major?
  • Who: Who is going to pick up the children from school?

Complex Questions:

  • How long are you going to stay in London?
  • What time are we going to meet tomorrow?
  • Which university are you going to apply to?
  • How many people are going to attend the wedding?
Quick Reference: "Going To" in Context
Situation Example Why "Going To"
Made plans I'm going to visit Paris next month Decision already made
Visible evidence She's going to cry (tears in eyes) Can see the signs
Near future The movie is going to start About to happen
Asking about plans What are you going to do? Inquiring about intentions