Grammar › Verb Tenses › Future: going to
Future: going to
Use 'be going to' + base verb for the future when there's a plan or evidence. Use it for:
- Plans and intentions — I'm going to study tonight.
- Predictions from evidence — Look at those clouds, it's going to rain.
For instant decisions, promises and offers, use 'will' instead (I'll help you).
How to form the going to future
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb | She is going to travel. |
| Negative | subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb | They aren’t going to come. |
| Question | Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb? | Are you going to study? |
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. The verb be is never left out.
When to use going to
1. Plans and intentions
Something you decided before now.
- I’m going to start a course in September.
- We’re going to move house next year.
⚠️ Typical error:
I start a course in September.(a personal plan) → Use going to: I’m going to start a course in September.
2. Predictions from evidence
You can see the future in what’s happening now.
- Watch out — you’re going to fall!
- Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain.
⚠️ Typical error:
The phone’s ringing. I’m going to answer it.(deciding now) → For an on-the-spot decision, use will: I’ll answer it.
Common mistakes
1. Using going to for instant decisions. A decision made as you speak takes will, not going to. I’m going to help you (offering now) → I’ll help you.
2. Leaving out ‘be’. Going to always needs am/is/are. I going to study → I’m going to study.
3. Using the present simple for a personal intention. I study medicine next year → I’m going to study medicine next year. Pro tip: if it’s your plan, use going to.
✏️ Practice: Future: going to
1. Look at those clouds! It ___ rain.
2. I've decided: I ___ a new language next year.
3. She ___ going to travel around Asia.
4. ___ you ___ to watch the match tonight?
5. The phone's ringing. — I ___ it.
6. We ___ going to buy a car this year.
7. He's driving far too fast — he ___ crash!
8. They ___ married in June — the wedding is booked.
9. Rewrite with the same meaning: 'My plan is to open a café.'
10. Which is best for an exam essay?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'going to' and 'will'?
Use 'going to' for plans decided before now and predictions based on evidence; use 'will' for instant decisions, promises and general predictions.
Can I say 'going to go'?
Yes. 'I'm going to go to the gym' is correct, though people often shorten it to 'I'm going to the gym'.
Is 'gonna' correct?
'Gonna' is the informal spoken form of 'going to'. It's fine in casual speech and messages, but write 'going to' in exams and formal writing.
How do I make questions with 'going to'?
Put am/is/are first: Are you going to study tonight? Is she going to come?
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Future: going to”:
- Can form the 'be going to' future in affirmative, negative and interrogative (CEFR A2).
- Can use going to for intentions and evidence-based predictions.
- Can choose between going to and will appropriately.
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