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Going To in English: Plans, Intentions, and Predictions
Be + going to + verb is used for plans already decided and for predictions based on something you see right now.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Going to is formed with the verb to be + going to + the main verb in its base form: "I am going to study tonight." It's used for plans already decided before speaking and for predictions based on present evidence.
Affirmative
Negative and questions
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Practice going to with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
The 2 uses of going to
Plans or intentions already decided before speaking: "I'm going to study medicine" (you decided this before the conversation). Predictions based on evidence you see right now: "Look at those clouds! It's going to rain" (you see the clouds now, that's why you're predicting it).
The shortcut with 'going'
When the main verb is "go," you can drop one of the two: "I'm going shopping this afternoon" means exactly the same as "I'm going to go shopping this afternoon."
Common mistakes learners make
Using "will" for a plan you already decided earlier, when it should be "going to." Many languages don't always distinguish between a decision already made and a spontaneous prediction, which creates confusion between will/going to. It's also common to forget the verb be before going to: "I going to study" is wrong, it should be "I am going to study."
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Frequently asked questions
How is going to formed?
With the verb to be (am/is/are) + going to + the main verb in its base form: I am going to travel.
What is going to used for?
For plans or intentions already decided before speaking, and for predictions based on evidence you see in the moment.
How do you make going to negative?
By adding not after am/is/are: I'm not going to go, she isn't going to come.
How do you ask questions with going to?
By putting am/is/are at the front: Are you going to come? Is she going to travel?
What's the difference between going to and will?
Going to is used for plans already decided and predictions with present evidence. Will is used for spontaneous decisions (made at the moment of speaking) and predictions without clear evidence.
Why do learners mix up going to and will?
Because many languages don't always distinguish between a decision already made and one made on the spot, while in English that difference determines whether you use going to or will.
Practice going to with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.