Going to (Future Plans)
Use 'going to' to talk about plans and intentions that have already been decided before the moment of speaking. It is also used for predictions based on present evidence or signs. The structure is am/is/are + going to + base verb.
WHEN TO USE
Use 'going to' for plans and intentions already decided, and for predictions based on visible present evidence (what you can see or hear right now suggests a future outcome).
STRUCTURE
S + am/is/are + going to + VI am going to visit my parents next weekend.
S + am/is/are + not + going to + VShe isn't going to come to the party.
Am/Is/Are + S + going to + V?Are you going to apply for that job?
SIGNAL WORDS
- next week
- next year
- tomorrow
- soon
- this weekend
- tonight
- look! (for evidence-based predictions)
EXAMPLES
I am going to visit my parents next weekend.
Look at those clouds — it is going to rain.
They are going to open a new restaurant downtown.
She isn't going to take the job.
Are you going to watch the game tonight?
COMMON MISTAKES
I am going to studied tonight.
I am going to study tonight.
After 'going to', always use the base form of the verb
He going to call you.
He is going to call you.
Don't forget the auxiliary verb am/is/are before 'going to'
Tip
When you can SEE evidence that something is about to happen, use 'going to' not 'will': You see dark clouds → 'It's going to rain!' (not 'It will rain').