Going to
We use the structure -going to- to talk about:
- Intentions about the future from a decision made earlier to the time of speaking
- Things that are about to happen
- Predictions based on real evidence in the present
- Personal schedule arrangements the Present Progressive is preferred
| He's going to fix his car this week, it's been broken down for a long time. (intention) | I’m going to buy some groceries from the supermarket later on today; do you want me to get you anything? (intention) |
| I’m going to lose my mind. (about to happen) | The shop's going to open soon. (about to happen) |
| The sky is dark and full of clouds, it's going to rain. (prediction based on evidence) | Maccabi is down 12 points with 3 minutes left on the clock; they're going to lose the game! (prediction based on evidence) |
| I'm going to meet Maya this Friday. (personal schedule arrangements) | She's going to fly to New York this weekend. (personal schedule arrangements) |
Going-to Structure
I:
I am going to study at Bright English.
I am not going to study at Bright English.
Am I going to study at Bright English?
We:
Ben and I (we) are going to study at Bright English.
We are not going to study at Bright English.
Are we going to study at Bright English?
You:
You are going to study at Bright English.
You are not going to study at Bright English.
Are you going to study at Bright English?
They:
Ben and Maya (they) are going to study at Bright English.
They are not going to study at Bright English.
Are they going to study at Bright English?
He:
Ben (he) is going to study at Bright English.
He is not going to study at Bright English.
Is he going to study at Bright English?
She:
Maya (she) is going to study at Bright English.
She is not going to study at Bright English.
Is she going to study at Bright English?
It:
It (the computer) is going to study well.
It is not going to study well.
Is it going to study well?
-Going to- Rules:
Subject + am\is\are + going to + v1
I am going to eat \ I am not going to eat \ am I going to eat?
- we use isn’t\aren’t + going to to make negatives (see table above)
- we use is\are\am + going to to make questions (see table above)
- We can actually use going to in the past by adding was\were – to describe things we were about to do
– I was going to talk to him, but then he left and I couldn’t. She was going to win the game, but then she made a big mistake.
Common time expressions with -going to-
Next _____ (week, month, year etc.), tomorrow,
Soon, in the future, this ____ (morning, afternoon, evening etc.), in an____ (a minute, hour etc.)
