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 am (I’m) going to study at Bright English. | I’m not going to study at Bright English. | Am I going to study at Bright English? |
Yoni and I are (we’re) going to study at Bright English. | We aren’t going to study at Bright English. | Are we going to study at Bright English? |
You are (you’re) going to study at Bright English. | You aren’t going to study at Bright English. | Are you going to study at Bright English? |
The men are (they’re) going to study at Bright English. | They aren’t going to study at Bright English. | Are they going to study at Bright English? |
Ben is (he’s) going to study at Bright English. | He isn’t going to study at Bright English. | Is he going to study at Bright English? |
Maya is (she’s) going to study at Bright English. | She isn’t going to study at Bright English. | Is she going to study at Bright English? |
The computer is (it’s) going to study well. | It isn’t 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.)
