BE GOING TO

BE GOING TO

by Carlos L.

​The future tense with going to, also simple future, expresses a logical prediction for the future or an intention or plan which has already been decided

​This tense is constructed with: 

​be + going to + infinitive.

​EXAMPLES:

​- Mrs Lucky is going to meet a friend in town.

- I'm going to go the beach on sunday.

​Use the future with going to for:

​1. Plans and intentions for the future when a decision has already been made.

Example:

- Mrs Lucky is going to meet a friend in town.

​

2. predictions for the future that are based on present evidence.

Example:

- The sky is blue - it is not going to rain. So Mrs Lucky is going to leave her umbrella at home.

​Intentions

​We use  be going to when we have the intention to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision before speaking. Look at these examples:

​

- Johan has won the lottery. He says he's going to buy a Porsche.

- We're not going to paint our bedroom tomorrow.

- When are you going to go on holiday?

​

In these examples, we had an intention or plan before speaking. The decision was made before speaking.

​Predictions

​We often use be going to to make a prediction about the future. Our prediction is based on present evidence. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some examples:

​

- The sky is very black. It's going to snow.

- It's 8.30! You're going to miss your train!

- I crashed the company car. My boss isn't going to be very happy!

​

In these examples, the present situation (black sky, the time, damaged car) gives us a good idea of what is going to happen.

​TIME EXPRESSIONS

​The following words indicate the use of a future tense:

​in one year, next week, tomorrow

Multiple Choice

__ Lucy ____ __ go to England next year?

• a)

  Is ... going to ...

• b)

  Are ... going to ...

• c)

  Am ... going to ...

Multiple Choice

(A) … the plane going to land soon? (B) Yes, it ….

• a)

  Are / is

• b)

  Is / is

• c)

  Are / are

Multiple Choice

My friend … a birthday party next week

• a)

  is going to has

• b)

  going to have

Multiple Choice

(A)… you going to see the movie?

(B) Yes, I ….

• a)

  Do / am

• b)

  Are / are

• c)

  Are / am

Multiple Choice

What ... your brother going to do tomorrow?

• a)

  are

• b)

  is

• c)

  does

Multiple Choice

What is she going to do?

• a)

  I am eating a hamburguer

• b)

  She is playing soccer

• c)

  She is going to eat a hamburguer

• d)

  I am going to eat a hamburguer

Multiple Choice

Mathew and Lora ______ _____ __ ______ to the news next weekend.

• a)

  going to listen

• b)

  aren't going to listen

• c)

  isn't going to listen

Multiple Choice

My father _____ _____ __ ___ us a new car next month.

• a)

  is not going buy

• b)

  is not going to buy

• c)

  is not buy

Multiple Choice

It is going to _____________ today.

• a)

  rain

• b)

  rained

• c)

  raining

Multiple Choice

I ___ _______ __ eat ice-cream tomorrow.

• a)

  are going to

• b)

  is going to

• c)

  am going to