Be going to: Plans and predictions

Be going to: Plans and predictions

Exercise 1

Use the verbs in brackets to complete these sentences with be going to affirmative or negative.

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1I (borrow) some books from the library today.

2He (not pay) your money back.

3The drone is out of control. It (crash)!

4They aren't playing well. They (not win) the match.

5We (have) a picnic tomorrow.

6She (fly) to New York next week.

7You can take the newspaper. I (not read) it.

8I need to tell you something, but you (not believe) me.

9Look at the sun! It (be) a beautiful day.

10I (not argue) with you.

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Be going to: Grammar chart

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Be going to: Form

Be going to consists of the present continuous of the verb go (I’m going, you are going, etc.) + to-infinitive form of the main verb.

When the main verb is go

When the main verb is go, we can exclude it if we want.

• I’m going shopping this afternoon. (=I’m going to go shopping this afternoon.)
• We are going to Cyprus next summer. (=We are going to go to Cyprus next summer. )

Be going to: Use

Predictions

We use be going to to talk about something that we see is going to happen (there is present evidence).

• Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!
• The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.
• Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain. 

Intentions or plans

We use be going to for intentions or plans (decisions taken before the moment of speaking).

• ‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go for a swim.’
• We are going to have a drink after work. Do you want to come?

Future time expressions

We often use be going to with future time expressions (tomorrow, next week, etc.).

• We are going to play cards tonight. 
• She’s going to study biology next year.