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CEFR A2Recommended grades: 5–7

Be going to

01 · Quick explanation

Use be going to for plans and intentions decided before speaking, and for predictions based on present evidence: She is going to visit her grandmother. Look at those clouds — it is going to rain.

02 · Full explanation

Form: am/is/are + going to + base verb. We use be going to to talk about plans or intentions we have already decided: I am going to study medicine. We also use it to make predictions when we can see evidence now: Look at the sky — it is going to rain. Do not confuse it with will, which is used for instant decisions or promises made at the moment of speaking.

Plans and intentions decided before nowPredictions based on present evidenceThings that are already arranged

03 · Formula

+Subject + am/is/are + going to + V
−Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + V
?Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + V?

04 · Affirmative

+ Subject + am/is/are + going to + V

  • I am going to travel to Almaty next month.
  • They are going to build a new school.
  • She is going to call you tomorrow.

05 · Negative

− Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + V

  • He is not going to come to the party.
  • We aren't going to buy that car.
  • I'm not going to watch the match.

06 · Question

? Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + V?

  • Are you going to visit your parents this weekend?
  • Is it going to snow tonight?
  • What are they going to do after school?

07 · Examples

  • ENI am going to study for my exam tonight.

    KZМен бүгін кешке емтиханға дайындалмақпын.

    RUЯ собираюсь готовиться к экзамену сегодня вечером.

  • ENShe is going to buy a new phone next week.

    KZОл келесі аптада жаңа телефон сатып алмақ.

    RUОна собирается купить новый телефон на следующей неделе.

  • ENLook at those dark clouds — it is going to rain.

    KZАнау қара бұлттарды қараңызшы — жаңбыр жауады.

    RUПосмотри на эти тёмные тучи — будет дождь.

  • ENWe are going to visit our grandparents on Sunday.

    KZБіз жексенбіде ата-әжемізге барамыз.

    RUВ воскресенье мы собираемся навестить бабушку и дедушку.

  • ENHe isn't going to play football tomorrow because he is ill.

    KZОл ертең футбол ойнамайды, себебі ауырып тұр.

    RUОн не будет играть в футбол завтра, потому что болеет.

  • ENAre you going to join the school trip next month?

    KZСіз келесі айда мектеп саяхатына қатысасыз ба?

    RUТы собираешься поехать на школьную экскурсию в следующем месяце?

  • ENThe sky is so dark — I think it is going to storm.

    KZАспан өте күңгірт — менің ойымша, дауыл болады.

    RUНебо такое тёмное — думаю, будет буря.

  • ENThey are going to open a new shop in the city centre.

    KZОлар қала орталығында жаңа дүкен ашпақ.

    RUОни собираются открыть новый магазин в центре города.

  • ENI'm not going to eat junk food anymore.

    KZМен бұдан былай зиянды тамақ жемеймін.

    RUЯ больше не собираюсь есть вредную еду.

  • ENWhat are you going to do this summer?

    KZСіз осы жазда не істейсіз?

    RUЧто ты собираешься делать этим летом?

08 · Signal words

tonighttomorrownext weeknext monthsoonlook at...

09 · Common mistakes

  • ✗ I going to visit my aunt.

    ✓ I am going to visit my aunt.

    The verb be (am/is/are) must come before going to.

  • ✗ She is going to goes shopping.

    ✓ She is going to go shopping.

    After going to use the base form of the verb, not the -s form.

  • ✗ It will rain, look at the clouds!

    ✓ It is going to rain, look at the clouds!

    Visible present evidence needs going to, not will.

10 · Compare with similar grammar

Be going to vs Will

We use be going to for plans decided before speaking and predictions with evidence. We use will for instant decisions and promises made at the moment of speaking: The phone is ringing — I'll answer it.

I am going to study law. (decided already)

I think I'll study law. (deciding now)

Look, it is going to rain. (evidence now)

I think it will rain tomorrow. (opinion)

11 · Interactive exercises

Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.

0 / 10 · 0 checked

  1. 1. Choose the correct answer:

    We ___ going to visit Paris next summer.

  2. 2. Choose the correct answer:

    Look at those clouds! It ___ going to rain.

  3. 3. Choose the correct answer:

    ___ you going to join us tonight?

  4. 4. Fill in the gap:

    She ___ (go) to visit her cousin next week.

  5. 5. Fill in the gap:

    They ___ (not / play) football tomorrow.

  6. 6. Fill in the gap:

    ___ he going to call you later? (ask a question)

  7. 7. Fill in the gap:

    I ___ (study) for my test tonight.

  8. 8. Correct the sentence:

    I going to visit my friend tomorrow.

  9. 9. Correct the sentence:

    She is going to goes to the market.

  10. 10. Correct the sentence:

    They is going to buy a new car.

12 · Mini test

Question 1 / 5

Which sentence is correct?

13 · Practice

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