How to Use Be Going To with Rules and Examples
The going to is a construction of English grammar that mostly indicated future plans, activities and events. It is used as a reference for different types of future events. In English Grammar, it is a method of referring to the future because we usually use will or shall for the formation of the future construction. It is used to make a relation between the future depending upon the present situation, events, intentions or activities. This is an alternative method of expressing something that will occur in the future. Examples of sentences formed with going to are given below.
Rohan is going to buy a new mobile phone.
They are going to plan a party for your birthday.
She is not going to do any social service.
Are we going to Agra tomorrow?
The Structure of Going To
The structure of going to is given below.
subject +be + going + to -infinitive
The verb be is conjugated. We will understand the structure of going to with the help of the following examples.
The examples of going to in different types of sentences are given below.
Affirmative sentences
Mohan is going to become an IAS officer.
You are going to be a classmate.
He is going to play handball.
She is going to attend her annual meet.
Negative sentences
It is not going to be hot so soon.
We are not going to play handball.
You are not going to cancel our trip this week.
She is not going to perform her duties well.
Integrative sentences
Am I going to play tennis?
Are we going to watch a movie together?
Is Peter going to read a book?
Are you going to win this match?
When are going to college?
Use of Going To
The following are some of the use of going to in sentences.
For Intention: When we need to show intentions of doing something in sentences, we can use going to before we speak. It is used before speaking because the decision has already been made. We can understand this more accurately with the following examples.
Peter is earning well. He is going to buy a new bike this month.
We are not going to attend any class tomorrow.
When is she going to market?
In these examples, we can clearly notice that the speaker had an intention or plan before speaking. The decision was made before speaking.
For Prediction: Sometimes we need to make a prediction about the future. In those sentences, we can use going to. On the basis of present evidence predictions of the future are made. Our prediction is based on present evidence. Here are some examples of the use of going to for prediction.
The sky is looking very black. It is going to snow.
You are late. You going to miss your presentation.
My parents are not going to appreciate my failure.
In the above examples, the present situation i.e. black sky, late, failure are giving an idea for the prediction of the future.
For Certainty: We can also use going to for expressing some kind of certainty in sentences. Following are some examples of the use of going to for certainty.
Surely, they are going to attend the marriage party.
Every student is passed the examination hence all of them are going to promote to the next standard.
She is going to call the police certainly.
One more thing to remember is that going to can be used with being in other tenses; for example:
They have been going to tell me the truth.
I had been going to fix her problems.
Do you Know?
Some other languages such as Spanish and French have constructions analogous to the English going to the future.
Conclusion
Hence going to is not any kind of tense. It is a grammatical structure that is used when we need to talk about future activities or plans. The basic form of the construction going to is in the present tense. This construction is when we want to make a connection between present events, activities, intentions or situations and expected future events or situations, i.e. to show the present situation of the future occurrence.
FAQs on Going To Future Tense in English Grammar
1. What is “going to” in English grammar?
“Going to” is a future form used to talk about planned actions and predictions based on present evidence. It is commonly used in English grammar to express intentions decided before the moment of speaking.
- Structure: subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb
- Example (plan): I am going to start a new course next week.
- Example (prediction): Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
2. How do you form sentences with “going to”?
You form sentences with “going to” using the verb be + going to + base verb. The verb “be” changes according to the subject.
- Affirmative: She is going to travel tomorrow.
- Negative: She is not going to travel tomorrow.
- Question: Is she going to travel tomorrow?
3. When do we use “going to” instead of “will”?
We use “going to” for prior plans and evidence-based predictions, while “will” is used for spontaneous decisions and general predictions. The choice depends on intention and timing.
- Plan made earlier: I am going to visit my aunt this weekend.
- Spontaneous decision: I’m tired. I will go to bed now.
- Prediction with evidence: She is going to win (because she is leading).
4. What is the structure of “going to” in negative sentences?
The negative form of “going to” is made by adding not after the verb be. This creates the negative future form.
- Structure: subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb
- Example: They are not going to attend the meeting.
- Contraction: She isn’t going to come.
5. How do you ask questions using “going to”?
To ask questions with “going to,” place the verb be before the subject. This follows normal question word order in English.
- Structure: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
- Example: Are you going to study tonight?
- Wh-question: What are you going to do tomorrow?
6. Can “going to” be used for predictions?
Yes, “going to” is used for predictions based on present evidence. It shows that there is a visible reason for the prediction.
- Example: The sky is dark. It is going to storm.
- Example: He studied very hard. He is going to pass.
7. What is the difference between “going to” and the present continuous for future?
“Going to” emphasizes intention, while the present continuous emphasizes fixed arrangements. Both can refer to future plans, but the focus is slightly different.
- Intention: I am going to start exercising.
- Arrangement: I am meeting the doctor at 5 PM.
8. Is “going to” informal or formal?
“Going to” is neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and formal English. It is common in everyday conversation and acceptable in writing.
- Informal speech: I’m gonna call him. (spoken contraction)
- Formal writing: The company is going to launch a new product.
9. What are common mistakes with “going to”?
A common mistake with “going to” is forgetting the verb be or using the wrong verb form. Correct structure is essential in English grammar.
- Incorrect: She going to study. ❌
- Correct: She is going to study. ✅
- Incorrect: They are going to studying. ❌
- Correct: They are going to study. ✅
10. Can you give example sentences using “going to”?
Yes, “going to” is used in sentences about future plans and predictions. Below are clear example sentences for learners.
- Plan: We are going to visit Paris next summer.
- Intention: She is going to learn Spanish.
- Prediction with evidence: That car is going to crash!
- Negative: I am not going to eat fast food.
- Question: Are they going to join us?
