GRAMMAR BOOSTER
HOW TO EXPRESS THE FUTURE WITH GOING TO
Affirmative
- I’m going to leave.
- You’re going to leave.
- He’s going to leave.
- She’s going to leave.
- It’s going to leave.
- We’re going to leave.
- They’re going to leave.
Negative
- I’m not going to leave.
- You aren’t going to leave.
- He isn’t going to leave.
- She isn’t going to leave.
- It isn’t going to leave.
- We aren’t going to leave.
- They aren’t going to leave.
Interrogative
- Am I going to leave?
- Are you going to leave?
- Is he going to leave?
- Is she going to leave?
- Is it going to leave?
- Are we going to leave?
- Are they going to leave?
WE’RE GOINg TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD
The full forms are: I’m = I am; you’re = you are; he’s = he is; she’s = she is; it’s = it is; we’re = we are; they’re = they are. The negative full forms are: isn’t = is not; aren’t = are not.
Uses of Going To
We can use this structure to make future predictions, often where the predictions are based on physical evidence. For example:
a) Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain.
b) That horse is much faster. It’s going to win the race for sure.
We can also use this structure to talk about definite future plans, often in reference to plans that we’ve made in advance and before the moment of speaking. For example:
a) I’m going to talk to her later.
b) She’s going to sell the car.
We can use question words (what, when, where, why, who, etc.) with this structure. For example:
a) Why aren’t you going to do it?
b) Who are you going to take with you?
Going to versus will
Compare the use of going to and will in this mini-dialogue:
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I’m going to visit some friends in Amsterdam.
A: Where are you going to stay?
B: I’m not sure yet. I’ll probably stay in a hostel, unless Mike lets me stay at his place.
Notice how speaker B uses going to for planned decisions taken before the moment of speaking (going to visit), and will for the spontaneous comment (I’ll probably stay).
Dialogue: Going away
Alfie is at Megan’s house. He’s come to say goodbye as he’s going away on a trip around the world. [Listen and complete the text with the correct words.]
Megan: So, you’re going away for a year! I can’t believe it.
Alfie: Yep, 12 months!
Megan: I’m going to miss you.
Alfie: I’ll miss you too.
Megan: So, tell me all about it.
Alfie: Well, we’re flying to Brazil next week, and we’re going to (1) stay in Sao Paolo for Christmas and New Year. Then, we’re flying up to Mexico, where we’ll (2) travel for about a month, and then onto California.
Megan: Amazing.
Alfie: After a few weeks in the US, we’re going to (3) fly over to Hawaii where we’re going to stay with my aunt.
Megan: Incredible.
Alfie: Then, we’re going to Australia. We’re going to (4) stay with Jeff, an old school friend.
Megan: So, are you (5) taking much luggage?
Alfie: Oh, that’s funny you should mention that because I have got a few bags in the car.
Megan: The car?
Alfie: Yes, erm, I was wondering whether I could (6) leave them at your house.
Megan: Here?
Alfie: Yes, you don’t mind, do you? I had to (7) move out of my apartment.
Megan: Oh, erm, right, yes, erm, well, you know there isn’t much space here.
Alfie: There are only six… seven of them.
Megan: Seven?
Alfie: Plus a bit of furniture. I’ll (8) bring it up for you.
Megan: Oh, erm…
Alfie: I’ve got it downstairs.
Megan: Erm…
Alfie: Actually, would you mind coming to help? The bookshelf weighs a ton.
Megan: Right. OK. Erm, I’ll just get my shoes on.
Alfie: Great. See you downstairs!
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