Be going to – plans and predictions – Test-English

Be going to – Grammar chart

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

  .