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English grammar

Going To: Plans and Predictions

Updated 27 Oct 2026 4 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team
Cover: be going to for the future — I'm going to travel, she's going to study, it's going to rain
Short answer

Use be going to + the base verb to talk about plans you have already decided and predictions you can see coming: 'I'm going to visit my aunt' (plan), 'Look at the sky — it's going to rain' (prediction). The be changes with the subject (am, is, are).

On this page10 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01The rule
  2. 02Forms
  3. 03Example sentences
  4. 04Common mistakes
  5. 05A short conversation
  6. 06Usage notes
  7. 07Compared with…
  8. 08Practice
  9. 09Quiz
  10. 10Recap cheat-sheet

Level: A2. Be going to is one of the main ways English talks about the future. It has two clear jobs: a plan you have already decided, and a prediction based on something you can see right now. The structure never changes: a form of be, then going to, then the base verb.

The rule

To form this future, use am / is / are (a form of the verb be) + going to + the base verb (the dictionary form, like go, eat, rain): I am going to travel. She is going to study. They are going to win.

Use be going to for two meanings:

1. Plans and intentions you have already decided. The decision was made before you speak: We are going to move house next month. I*’m going to** learn Spanish this year.*

2. Predictions based on present evidence. You can see or feel a sign that something is coming: Look at those clouds — it*’s going to** rain. Careful, you are going to drop that!*

The form of be must match the subject: I am, you/we/they are, he/she/it is. In speech and informal writing, be is usually contracted: I’m going to, she’s going to, they’re going to. The base verb is the plain form with no ending — go, see, be — so you say going to go, going to be, never going to goes or going to went.

Forms

Subject Positive Negative Question
I I am going to go I am not going to go Am I going to go?
You / We / They You are going to go You are not (aren’t) going to go Are you going to go?
He / She / It She is going to go She is not (isn’t) going to go Is she going to go?

Short answers reuse be: Are you going to come? — Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.

Example sentences

  1. I'm going to visit my aunt on Sunday.
    A plan already decided.
  2. She is going to study medicine.
    is + going to for a future intention.
  3. We are going to move house next month.
    are + going to, a firm plan.
  4. Look at the sky — it's going to rain.
    Prediction from present evidence (the clouds).
  5. Be careful! You're going to fall.
    Prediction from what you can see now.
  6. They are going to get married in June.
    A planned future event.
  7. I'm going to call her tonight.
    A decision made before speaking.
  8. He's going to be a great teacher.
    Prediction; base verb 'be' after going to.
  9. The team is going to win this match.
    Prediction based on the score so far.
  10. We're not going to buy a new car this year.
    Negative: are not (aren't) going to.
  11. She isn't going to come to the party.
    Negative with is not (isn't).
  12. Are you going to watch the film?
    Question: Are + you + going to + base verb.
  13. Is it going to snow tomorrow?
    Question form for a prediction.
  14. What are you going to cook for dinner?
    A wh- question about a plan.
  15. I'm going to start running every morning.
    A new intention.
  16. The baby is going to sleep now.
    Prediction from the baby's state.
  17. They're going to open a new shop here.
    A planned future action.
  18. I think you're going to love this book.
    Prediction after 'I think'.
  19. We aren't going to be late, don't worry.
    Negative prediction.
  20. He is going to take the early train.
    A decided plan.

Common mistakes

  • ❌ She going to study. → ✅ She is going to study. You must keep the form of be (is).
  • ❌ I going to help you. → ✅ I am going to help you. Never drop am/is/are.
  • ❌ They are going to buying a house. → ✅ They are going to buy a house. After going to, use the base verb, not -ing.
  • ❌ It’s going to rains. → ✅ It’s going to rain. No -s on the base verb, even with it.
  • ❌ Do you going to come? → ✅ Are you going to come? Make the question with be, not do.
  • ❌ She is going to not come. → ✅ She is not going to come. Not goes right after be.

A short conversation

A: What are you going to do this weekend? B: I’m going to visit my grandparents. What about you? A: We’re going to paint the kitchen — look at the sky, though, it’s going to rain all day. B: Then you’re going to be stuck indoors. Good painting weather!

Usage notes

  • Gonna. In relaxed speech, going to often sounds like gonna (I’m gonna call you). This is normal spoken English, but write the full going to in exams, essays and formal messages.
  • Going to go. When the main verb is go, English usually keeps both words (I’m going to go to the shops), though many speakers shorten it to I’m going to the shops. Both are understood.
  • Was/were going to. For a past plan that did not happen, use was/were going to: I was going to call, but I forgot.
  • Time words. Common signals: tomorrow, next week, tonight, this year, soon, in a minute. They usually sit at the start or end of the sentence.

Compared with…

  • Will. Use be going to for a plan already decided or a prediction with evidence; use will for an instant decision made as you speak (The phone’s ringing — I’ll get it) and for offers, promises and pure guesses (I think it will be fine). See Will for the Future.
  • Present continuous for the future. For fixed arrangements with a time and often another person (I’m meeting Sara at six), English uses the present continuous. Be going to stresses the intention; the present continuous stresses the fixed arrangement, and the two often overlap. See Present Continuous for the Future.

Recap card for the English going to future lesson showing am/is/are + going to + base verb with a friendly study buddy

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Practice

Going to practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Choose the correct sentence.
Show answer

She is going to study tonight. — Keep 'is' (a form of be) and use the base verb: is going to study.

Hint: it takes which form of be?

Show answer

is — The subject 'it' takes 'is': it is going to rain.

Hint: no -ing, no -s

Show answer

buy — After going to, use the plain base verb: buy.

4 Make a question.

Show answer

Are you going to come ? — Questions start with the form of be: Are you going to come?

5 Match the subject to the correct form.

  • I
  • She
  • They
  • It
Show answer
  • I → am going to
  • She → is going to
  • They → are going to
  • It → is going to

Be matches the subject: I am, she/it is, they are.

6 Which sentence is a prediction from evidence?
Show answer

Careful — you're going to fall! — A sign you can see right now (losing balance) makes it an evidence prediction.

Quiz

Check yourself

Going to quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered
  1. 1What follows 'going to'?
    Show answer

    the base verb — Use the plain base verb after going to: going to go, going to eat.

  2. 2Complete: 'I ___ going to call you later.'
    Show answer

    am — The subject 'I' takes 'am': I am going to call you.

  3. 3Complete: 'She ___ going to be a doctor.'
    Show answer

    is — The subject 'she' takes 'is'.

  4. 4Which sentence is correct?
    Show answer

    They are going to travel. — Keep 'are' and use the base verb: are going to travel.

  5. 5Make it negative: 'He is going to come.'
    Show answer

    He isn't going to come. — Put 'not' after be: he is not (isn't) going to come.

  6. 6Make it a question: 'You are going to help.'
    Show answer

    Are you going to help? — Start the question with the form of be: Are you going to help?

  7. 7Which is a plan already decided?
    Show answer

    We're going to visit Rome in May. — A trip arranged in advance is a decided plan.

  8. 8Complete: 'Watch out — that glass ___ going to fall!'
    Show answer

    is — The subject (that glass) is singular, so use 'is'.

  9. 9Which base verb form is correct after 'going to'?
    Show answer

    going to go — Always the plain base verb: going to go.

  10. Show answer

    aren't — Negative of 'are' is aren't / are not: we aren't going to buy a car.

  11. 11In fast speech, 'going to' often sounds like…
    Show answer

    gonna — Spoken English reduces it to 'gonna', but write the full form.

  12. 12Which short answer fits 'Are you going to come?'
    Show answer

    Yes, I am. — Short answers reuse be: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.

Recap cheat-sheet

Form Example
Positive She is going to study.
Negative She isn’t going to study.
Question Is she going to study?
After going to the base verb (go, buy, be)
Use 1: plan I’m going to move house.
Use 2: evidence It’s going to rain.

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Grammar path

125 topics 125 ready now
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
  1. 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
  2. 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
  3. 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
  4. 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
  5. 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
  6. 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
  7. 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
  8. 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
  9. 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
  10. 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
  11. 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
  12. 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
  13. 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
  14. 14 Can and Can't for Ability
  15. 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
  16. 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
  17. 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
  18. 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
  19. 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
  20. 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
  21. 21 How Much vs How Many
  22. 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
  23. 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
  24. 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
  25. 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
  26. 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
  27. 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
  28. 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
  29. 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
  30. 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
  2. 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
  3. 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
  4. 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
  5. 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
  6. 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions You are here
  7. 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
  8. 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
  9. 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
  10. 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
  11. 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
  12. 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
  13. 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
  14. 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
  15. 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
  16. 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
  17. 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
  18. 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
  19. 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
  20. 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
  21. 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
  22. 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
  23. 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
  24. 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
  25. 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
  1. 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
  2. 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
  3. 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
  4. 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
  5. 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
  6. 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
  7. 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
  8. 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
  9. 64 Reported Questions
  10. 65 Reported Commands and Requests
  11. 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
  12. 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
  13. 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
  14. 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
  15. 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
  16. 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
  17. 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
  18. 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
  19. 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
  20. 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
  21. 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
  22. 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
  23. 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
  24. 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
  25. 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
  26. 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
  27. 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
  2. 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
  3. 85 Mixed Conditionals
  4. 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
  5. 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
  6. 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
  7. 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
  8. 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
  9. 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
  10. 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
  11. 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
  12. 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
  13. 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
  14. 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
  15. 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
  16. 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
  17. 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
  18. 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however
  19. 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
  20. 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
  21. 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
  22. 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
  23. 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
  24. 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
  25. 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
  1. 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
  2. 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
  3. 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
  4. 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
  5. 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
  6. 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
  7. 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
  8. 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
  9. 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
  10. 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
  11. 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
  12. 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
  13. 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
  14. 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
  15. 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
  16. 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
  17. 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
  18. 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)