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🔭 Future with "Be Going To": A Complete Guide

The construction "be going to" is another common way to talk about the future in English. It is especially used for plans and intentions, and for predictions based on current evidence. Unlike "will", which is often spontaneous, "be going to" is usually pre-decided or based on visible facts.

✅ 1. Form

Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb (V1)

🔹 Affirmative

  • I am going to study medicine.
  • They are going to move to London next year.

🔹 Negative

Structure: Subject + am not / isn’t / aren’t + going to + base verb

  • She isn’t going to come to the party.
  • We aren’t going to take the bus.

🔹 Questions

Yes/No: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb?
Wh-: Wh-word + am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb?

  • Are you going to visit your grandparents?
  • What are they going to do tomorrow?

🧠 2. Meaning and Use

🔸 A. Planned Future Actions

Used when the speaker has already decided to do something before the moment of speaking.

  • I am going to apply for a new job. (decision already made)
  • They are going to launch a new product next month.

🔸 B. Predictions Based on Evidence

Used when there is present evidence for a future event.

  • Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
  • He is going to fall off the ladder if he’s not careful.

⏰ 3. Common Time Expressions

  • tomorrow
  • next (week/month/year)
  • in a moment / in a few minutes
  • soon
  • this evening / later today

Examples: She is going to start college next month. / We are going to leave soon.

❗ 4. Common Mistakes

  • ❌ He going to buy a car.
    ✅ He is going to buy a car.
  • ❌ Are you going buy it?
    ✅ Are you going to buy it?
  • ❌ They am going to the market.
    ✅ They are going to the market.

🧠 5. Tips to Remember

  • Use "going to" for actions already planned or decided before speaking.
  • Use the correct form of be (am/is/are) depending on the subject.
  • Use it for predictions where you have visible clues or present knowledge.
  • Do not confuse "going to" with present continuous for future plans (though both can be used, context and structure help distinguish them).

🔢 Instruction:
Give the correct Be Going To (Future Intention) forms of the verbs in brackets.

✍️ Exercise (20 Sentences):

  1. I (visit) my grandparents this weekend because it’s their wedding anniversary.
  2. She (not attend) the class tomorrow — she’s feeling unwell.
  3. (What / you / do) after you graduate from university?
  4. We (help) our younger brother with his science project this evening.
  5. Look at those dark clouds! It (rain) soon.
  6. They (not play) football on Saturday — their coach is away.
  7. (Who / carry) the heavy boxes upstairs?
  8. He (apply) for a job next month after finishing his course.
  9. I (not buy) a new phone — mine is still working fine.
  10. (Where / you / stay) during your trip to Bangkok?
  11. My friends and I (have) a movie night on Friday.
  12. She (not take) part in the competition — she’s too nervous.
  13. (Are / they / visit) the new museum next weekend?
  14. We (clean) the entire house before our guests arrive.
  15. He (not attend) the wedding because he’ll be abroad.
  16. (What / your sister / wear) to the graduation ceremony?
  17. I (start) a new fitness routine from next Monday.
  18. They (not travel) abroad this year due to high costs.
  19. (When / we / meet) again to discuss the project?
  20. I (cook) something special for your birthday tonight.