When Do We Use Be Going To?
Be going to talks about the future in two ways: a plan you made before now, or something you can see coming.
A PLAN
Decided before now, done later.
We are going to paint the kitchen this weekend.
A PREDICTION
Look at those dark clouds. It's going to rain.
The dark clouds are the sign.
Decided before now, or you can see it coming → be going to.
A word like tomorrow is not enough on its own. Tomorrow I visit my grandma is still the present simple.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Be careful! That glass blank fall."
The forms
POSITIVE
Sam / is / aregoing toV
He is going to sell his bike.
Only be changes. Going to stays the same.
NEGATIVE
Sam / is / arenotgoing toV
They aren't going to come.
Not goes after be: I'm not, isn't, aren't.
QUESTION
Am / Is / AreSgoing toV?
Is Nam going to drive? — Yes, he is.
Be moves to the front. Answer with be: Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
WH- QUESTION
What / When…am / is / areSgoing toV?
When are they going to arrive?
Question word, then be, then the subject.
am / is / are + going to + base verb.
In fast speech, going to often sounds like gonna. In an essay or an email, write going to.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Where blank stay in Hà Nội?"
When to use it
Predictions from signs
Hurry up! We're going to miss the bus.
The bus is at the stop, and you are still far away.
Common phrases: Look! · Be careful! · Hurry up!
Going to + verb vs. going to + place
Look at the word after to. A place: you are on your way. A verb: a plan.
| GOING TO + PLACE | GOING TO + VERB | |
|---|---|---|
| the market | I'm going to the market. (on my way now) | I'm going to buy some fish. (my plan) |
The two can meet: I'm going to go to the bank.
TRY IT
- Question 1
Which sentence is about a plan? "blank"
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I going to travel to Nha Trang in July.
Correct:I'm going to travel to Nha Trang in July.
Going to needs am, is or are in front of it.
Incorrect:They're going to visiting their uncle.
Correct:They're going to visit their uncle.
After going to, use the base verb: visit.
Incorrect:Tomorrow I clean my room.
Correct:Tomorrow I'm going to clean my room.
A time word doesn't change the verb. For a plan, add going to.
Incorrect:Are you going come to the party?
Correct:Are you going to come to the party?
Don't drop to: going to come.
Incorrect:I don't going to buy that bag.
Correct:I'm not going to buy that bag.
Going to uses be. Say I'm not, never I don't.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct sentence:
My cousins are going to move to Đà Nẵng next month.
- A. are going to — Correct
- B. going to
- C. is going to
Answer: A. are going to
My cousins = they, so are.
Choose the correct form of the verb:
I'm going to wash the dishes after dinner.
- A. wash — Correct
- B. washing
- C. washed
Answer: A. wash
No -ing and no -ed after to.
Yesterday you decided to call your uncle tomorrow. Choose the correct sentence:
I'm going to call my uncle tomorrow.
- A. I'm going to call my uncle tomorrow. — Correct
- B. I call my uncle tomorrow.
- C. I calling my uncle tomorrow.
Answer: A. I'm going to call my uncle tomorrow.
B is the present simple. C has no be.
Choose the correct sentence:
The baby is yawning and rubbing her eyes. She is going to fall asleep.
- A. is going to — Correct
- B. goes to
- C. is going
Answer: A. is going to
C has no to.
Choose the correct sentence:
We aren't going to stay long. We have to get up early tomorrow.
- A. aren't going to — Correct
- B. don't going to
- C. not going to
Answer: A. aren't going to
Going to works with be, never with don't.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions