Selene

36 Be going to

Be going to is not a tense, it is a structure. We use this structure for talking about the future, when we want to talk about intentions, plans and when there are clear signs that something is going to happen.

Affirmative

The structure of be going to in Affirmative form is:
Subject + be + going to + verb.

SUBJECT BE GOING TO VERB
I am going to work
You are going to work
He is going to work
She is going to work
It is going to work
We are going to work
You are going to work
They are going to work

Negative

The structure of be going to in negative form is:
Subject + be + not + going to + verb.

SUBJECT BE + NEGATION GOING TO VERB
I am not going to work
You are not going to work
He is not going to work
She is not going to work
It is not going to work
We are not going to work
You are not going to work
They are not going to work

Interrogative

The structure of be going to in question form is:
Be + subject + going to + verb + …?

BE SUBJECT GOING TO VERB QUESTION MARK
Am I going to work …?
Are you going to work …?
Is he going to work …?
Is she going to work …?
Is it going to work …?
Are we going to work …?
Are you going to work …?
Are they going to work …?

NOTE: We can use “gonna” instead of “going to” in speaking and in song lyrics (in informal contexts).

  1. Talking about intentions and future plans
    • I am going to London this weekend.
    • I am not going to London this weekend.
    • Am I going to London this weekend?
  2. We decide to do something in the future
    • When he grows up, he is going to be a pilot.
    • He is not going to be a pilot when he grows up, he is going to be a doctor.
    • Is he going to be a pilot when he grows up?
  3. There is definite sign that something is going to happen
    • Look at the sky. It is going to rain.
    • Look at the sky. It is not going to rain.
    • Look at the sky. Is it going to rain?

We use to be going to to talk about the future. We use it when:

  1. Talking about intentions and future plans;
  2. We decide to do something in the future;
  3. There is definite sign that something is going to happen.

Be going to is not a tense, it is a structure. We use it for talking about the future, when we want to talk about intentions, plans and when there are clear signs that something is going to happen.

  • Affirmative: Subject + be + going to + verb;
  • Negative: Subject + be + not + going to + verb;
  • Interrogative: Be + subject + going to + verb + …?

For example:
— Affirmative: “I am going to go to London in the summer.” = The subject has intentions of travelling to London in the summer.
— Negative: “I am not going to become a doctor, I am going to be a pilot.” = The subject denies his intentions about the future.
— Interrogative: “Are you going to eat that cake?” = The subject is asked about their intentions about the future.

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