The expression going to in English. The construction be going to. Theory. Difference from Future Simple and Present Continuous. Interrogative form be going to

In English there is a turn to be going to, which is often used, accordingly you need to know the rules of how and when it is used. This construction has nothing to do with the direct meaning of the word to go, as, for example, in the sentence I am going to the cinema - here we use the Present Continuous tense to emphasize that this is happening at the moment speech, i.e. right now. Turnover to be going to will be used to express an event in the future tense, so after it you need to indicate the action - to be going to do something - I’m going to do something, i.e. add the action you intend to take soon. But the future tense in English can be expressed through the auxiliary verb will, i.e. use the Future Simple tense. Indeed, the use of the construction be going to and are similar in situations, but there are differences. Therefore, in this article we will look at the cases in which sentences with to be going to will be used and give examples.

Turn to be going to: grammar

In English, this grammatical construction can be used in the present and past tenses, but in Russian its meaning will refer to the future: “to gather, intend, plan to do something.”

When to use to be going to

In present time:

when they talk about plans and intentions to do something in the future. This action was planned even before it was reported, even before the moment of speech.

For example

We are going to see a play this evening.

I 'm going to buy some books tomorrow.

Sarah is going to sell her car.

I' m not going to have breakfast this morning. I'm not hungry.

What are you going to wear to the party tonight?

‘Your hands are dirty’ ‘Yes, I know. I 'm going to wash them'.

Are you going to invite John to your party?

If the decision was made at the time of speech, then you need to use the Future Simple (will).

For example

‘Gary telephoned while you were out.’ - ‘OK, I will call him back.’

when predicting future events based on present facts. Certain events indicate what is about to happen. We see things now that make us think about what will happen in the future. Often we are talking about what will happen about, right now, in the near future.

For example

Look at those black clouds. It is going to rain.

Oh dear! It’s 9 o’clock and I’m not ready. I 'm going to be late.

I feel terrible. I think I 'm going to be sick

Look! Leo 's going to win the race!

The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

Mum's car's making a strange noise. It 's going to break down.

Look! The dog 's going to catch the ball.

In the past time:

when they talk about actions that they were going to do, but didn’t do.

For example

We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car instead.

Peter was going to do the exam, but he changed his mind.

I was just going to cross the road when someone shouted ‘Stop’.

I was going to buy some new clothes yesterday, but I was very busy and didn’t have time to go to the shop.

Martin and I were going to play tennis last week, but he was injured.

I was going to phone Jane, but I decided to email her instead.

We were going to have a party last week, but some of our friends couldn’t come, so we canceled it.

when they talk about events that they were sure would happen, but they did not happen.

For example

I thought it was going to rain, but it didn’t rain.

Formation of the construction to be going to

Turnover to be going to... can be used in affirmation, negation and question. It consists of a verb to be, which will vary depending on the person and number of the subject, and going to, which does not change. Then comes the infinitive of the semantic verb.

Present tense verb to be has 3 forms: am, is and are.

am used together with a pronoun I.
is he, she, it or with singular nouns
are used together with pronouns we, you, they

Past tense verb to be has 2 forms: was and were.

was used together with pronouns I, he, she, it or with singular nouns h.
were used together with pronouns we, you, they or with plural nouns

Education table

Affirmative form

present time
		going to


past tense
		going to

Negative form

present time
		not going to


past tense
		not going to

Question form and short answer

present time
	going to	Yes, I am.	No, I 'm not.
		Yes, he is. Yes, she is. Yes, it is.	No, he isn't. No, she isn't. No, it isn't.
		Yes, we are. Yes, you are. Yes, they are.	No, we aren't. No, you aren't. No, they aren't.
past tense
	going to	Yes, I was. Yes, he was. Yes, she was. Yes, it was.	No, I wasn't. No, he wasn't. No, she wasn't. No, it wasn't.
		Yes, we were. Yes, you were. Yes, they were.	No, we weren't. No, you weren't. No, they weren't.

When answering a question briefly, repeat going to no need.

Are you going to come? - Yes, I am. / No, I "m not.

Special question form

present time
			going to


past tense
			going to

Download table of formation of the construction to be going to in English:

to be gonna - shortened version of to be going to

In colloquial speech, in informal communication, in songs, films, you can often hear a simplified version of this construction - to be gonna.

For example

I 'm gonna buy this cake.

We aren't gonna do that.

The construction to be going to is present in English in order to be able to grammatically correctly convey your plans for the future and talk about some things. Find out from the interlocutor about his plans, or, conversely, clarify what the person does not intend to do.

The phrase “to be going to” means “to be going to do something.” This design is used:

if there is already a plan of action in advance (he is going to read a car magazine, she is going to visit a friend)
if we are talking about the fact that something must happen, and there is evidence for this (probably there is going to be a heavy downpour, the sky is all in dark clouds)

How are affirmative sentences formed?

The construction to be going to is divided into two halves, one of which changes, the other remains unchanged.

The first half is to be, which can change depending on the person performing the action. In the Present Simple (present tense) to be has three forms:

1) am - works with the pronoun I

2) is - works with pronouns she, he, it

3) are - works with the pronouns you, they, we

The second half of going to - never changes

It is very later, and she is going to sleep. - It's very late and she's about to go to bed.

They are going to take part in this party. - They are going to take part in the party.

I am going to wear this beautiful dress on the last school's bell. - I am going to wear this beautiful dress on the last school bell.

My sister is now busy, but in the evening she is going to join us at the party. - My sister is a little busy right now, but she is going to join us for a party in the evening.

Be quick! You are going to miss your plane. - Hurry up! You'll miss your plane.

Negative form

In order to use the phrase to be going to in the form of negation in speech, we need the particle not, which is added to the verb to be.

He is not going to write the composition in English. - He is not going to write an essay in English.

They are not going to refuse to cooperate. - They are not going to refuse cooperation.

I am not going to participate in this dangerous matter. - I am not going to participate in this dangerous business.

Interrogative form

If we need to ask a question to find out whether someone is going to do or not do something, it is necessary to be brought forward. In interrogative sentences, this is where the sentence begins.

Is he going to visit his little brother at the hospital? - Is he going to visit his little brother in the hospital?

Are we going to make a report about wild animals? - Are we going to do a report on wild animals?

Are you going to participate in the adult chess tournament? - Are you going to take part in a chess tournament among adults?

Is your grandfather going to release his new book? - Is your grandfather going to release his new book?

Are you going to buy me a ticket for this singer's concert? - Are you going to buy me a ticket to this singer's concert?

Special questions

If we need to ask a special question, then this will require special question words: what?, where?, how many/long?, which?, who?, whom?, when? why? for what?

These words are placed at the beginning of the sentence, and the further pattern of the interrogative sentence is preserved.

On what topic are students going to write an essay? - What topic are the students going to write an essay on?

When an electrician is going to come and repair the wiring? - When is the electrician going to come and fix the wiring?

How long are your parents going to rest in Turkey? - How long are your parents going to vacation in Turkey?

How the phrase to be going to is used in the past tense

This construction can also be used for the past tense. When it comes to the fact that we are going to take some action, but for some reason we never did it. To form such a sentence it is necessary to put to be in the past tense form.

In the past tense, the phrase “to be going to” works the same way as in the present.

Even those who have never studied English know that go- this is “to go”. But not everything is as simple as it seems, because the verb go not always used in this meaning. In this article we will not consider the numerous semantic meanings of the verb go (of which, by the way, there are more than forty), nor will we understand stable combinations with the verb go (the number of which is difficult to imagine). In this article we will talk about the going to construction, which, although it includes a verb form go, serves to express completely different meanings.

So when we first see the design be going to in a sentence, the first thought is ordinary. For example:

I am going to buy a new camera.

Those who are not yet familiar with the design functions going to, will be translated like this: I'm going to buy a new camera (right now). Everything seems logical, there are no doubts about the correctness of the translation.

However, when additional information appears, it becomes more difficult:

He is going to publish his new book next year.

The scientists are going to launch a new space project soon.

In fact, everything is simple, you just need to understand one rule: no one goes anywhere!

Going to- a construction that is used to express plans, intentions, and forecasts for the future. Respectively:

I am going to buy a new camera. - I'm going to buy a new camera.

He is going to publish his new book next year. - He is going to publish a new book next year.

The scientists are going to launch a new space project soon. - Scientists are soon planning to launch a new space program.

Before we look in detail at the functions of the construction and its grammatical features, let's remember once and for all how to distinguish it from other forms. Let's compare two sentences:

I am going to school now.

I am going to meet my friends tomorrow.

In the first sentence, going to is followed by a noun, therefore, to- a preposition of movement that indicates the direction where I am actually going now.

In the second sentence after going there is an infinitive with a particle to, that is, a verb. This verb shows what I am going to do.

And of course, don’t forget about the context! He is your indispensable assistant, because sometimes only context allows you to fully understand the meaning of a statement.

Now let's talk more about forms.

The construction be going to is always preceded by a verb to be, and, as is known, it changes according to gender and number:

I am going to tell you about my last holiday. - I'm going to tell you about my last vacation.

She is going to call you today. - She's going to call you today.

They are going to sell their car. - They are going to sell their car.

If someone is not going to do something, a negative form is built. To the verb to be a negative particle is added not:

I am not going to read this book. - I'm not going to read this book.

He is not going to play with us. - He's not going to play with us.

We are not going to discuss this question. - We are not going to discuss this issue.

And finally, to ask a question, verb to be moves to the beginning of the sentence:

In addition, the construction be going to is notable for the fact that it can be used in the past tense. To do this, remember that in the past tense the verb to be has only two forms: was And were. And affirmative, negative and interrogative statements are built on the same principle:

I was going to ask you out. - I was going to invite you somewhere.

It was going to rain so I took my umbrella. - It was going to rain, so I took an umbrella.

We were going to have a picnic by the river. - We were going to have a picnic by the river.

I was not going to buy new shoes. I don"t know how it happened! - I wasn’t going to buy new shoes. I don’t know how it happened!

She was not going to help us. - She wasn't going to help us.

They were not going to listen to me. - They weren't going to listen to me.

Everything is clear with the forms, now it’s time to learn about the meanings of the be going to construction:

1. Planned actions (Plans).

Use be going to when talking about what you have planned, what you want to do in the future. Be going to used more in informal communication; in more formal situations the verb to plan is used.

What are you going to do on holiday? - I am going to visit my parents and spend some time in the countryside. - What are you going to do on vacation? I'm going to visit my parents and spend a few days out of town.

They were going to leave, but I persuaded them to stay. - They intended to leave, but I convinced them to stay.

2. Decisions and Intentions.

If you use be going to, your interlocutor understands that you made the decision in advance, not at the time of the conversation. Be going to also serves to express intentions:

Jim and Mary are going to get married. - Jim and Mary are going (decided) to get married.

He is going to become a lawyer like his father. - He is going (intends) to become a lawyer, like his father.

3. Predictions Based on Evidence.

This formulation may not be entirely clear. Let's look at an example. You look out the window and see black clouds and hear thunder. What prediction will you make? Most likely you will say: “Now it’s going to rain (And as always, I’m without an umbrella!)”.

To express such an assumption in English, you will have to use nothing more than the construction be going to:

It is going to rain.

Or you notice a person slipping on the street and about to fall. You say:

He is going to fall.

Be going to should be used to express actions that are certain to happen in the near future, which we can judge from what we see and hear.

Please note that in sentences with be going to the subject may be inanimate, e.g. it:

It is going to snow. - It will snow.

These are the three main meanings of the be going to construction in which it is used most often. If your level is average, even above average, then these values will be quite enough for you to communicate. For an advanced level, you can add a couple more.

4. Commands.

Be going to is sometimes used to insist that someone do something, or, conversely, not do it:

You are not going to wear this dress! - You will not wear this dress!

You are going to stay at home whether you want it or not. - You will stay at home whether you like it or not.

5. Failures (Refusals).

In Russian, if we really don’t want to do something, we say: “I’m not going to do it!” So, in English it’s the same story, if you flatly refuse to do something, you can say: "I am not going to do it!". This sentence sounds very emotional and even a little rude, so be careful and use it appropriately so as not to offend anyone:

I am not going to do your work! You get paid for it! - I'm not going to do your job! You get paid for it!

I am not going to solve your problems! You"ve made your bed, now you can lie on it! - I'm not going to solve your problems! You made the mess, so you can sort it out yourself!

It is important to remember that the construction be going to is not used with verbs go And come, as well as with some other verbs denoting movement. Instead of going to, use these verbs:

I am going to the seaside tomorrow. (NOT am going to go) - I am going/going to the sea tomorrow.

My friends are coming for dinner on Sunday. (NOT are going to come) - My friends are going to come/are coming for dinner on Sunday.

I would also like to note that in conversational communication the pronunciation of going to is often simplified to gonna ["g(ə)nə]. In films and songs you have repeatedly heard: I'm gonna, You're gonna and so on. So, know that gonna is an informal, colloquial version of the construction going to. In negatives, the auxiliary verb to be (am not, are not, is not) is also “simplified” and pronounced as . Read more about abbreviations.

Bon Jovi in his song It's My Life sings the following:

It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever

This is my life
Now or never
I won't live forever.

A very good idea, by the way! It's worth heeding Bon Jovi's advice:

Improve your English with us! Subscribe to our newsletter, join us

As we can see, the variable part of this construction is the verb to be, and therefore, precisely thanks to , the construction be going to is consistent with the subject and has the forms of the present and past simple tenses.

Be going to in PRESENT SIMPLE.

Consider the use of be going to in the Present Simple.

Be going to in PAST SIMPLE.

Consider the use of be going to in the Past Simple.

Usually, use of be going to limited to the two tenses described above - Present Simple and Past Simple.

Basic rules and features of using be going to.

The use of be going to often overlaps with the use of verbs in the Future Simple or Present Continuous. Let's consider these cases, as they often cause difficulties.

Difference between be going to and Future Simple.

Be going to means ‘to get ready to do something’, while the verbs in the Future Simple indicate spontaneity/immediateity of the decision. Compare:

Polly"s going to visit her granny on Sunday. - Polly is going to visit her grandmother on Sunday.

MOTHER: Polly, your granny's just phoned. She feels bad.

POLLY: OK, I will visit her on Sunday.

(MOM: Polly, grandma called. She's not feeling well.

POLLY: Okay, I'll visit her on Sunday)

In the first case, we are talking about a deliberate intention, and in the second, about a momentary decision caused by circumstances.

The difference between be going to and Present Continuous.

One of the meanings of the Present Continuous is to indicate an action planned for the future.

Polly is visiting her granny on Sunday. – Polly is planning to visit her grandmother on Sunday.

Then What is the difference between be going and Present Continuous? There is a difference, although it is not always obvious.

Using Present Continuos for planned actions usually implies:

having an agreement with someone
availability of pre-purchased tickets or any other preparations for future action.

Be going to only expresses personal intention carry out some action.

Thus:

Polly is visiting her granny on Sunday. (Polly is planning to visit her grandmother on Sunday. She has made arrangements with her grandmother, perhaps purchased tickets, bought her a gift, or something similar.)

Polly is going to visit her granny on Sunday. (On Sunday Polly plans to visit her grandmother. Polly decided so without agreeing with anyone.)

It is worth emphasizing once again that the difference between be going and Present Continuous can only be obvious from the context. Without context, both sentences - Polly is visiting her granny on Sunday and Polly is going to visit her granny on Sunday - will be correct and we will not be able to settle on one specific option.

Note!

Be going, as a rule, is not used with the verbs go and come. If in Russian "I'm going to go" is a completely acceptable phrase, then in English 'I'm going to go' does not sound entirely correct. Instead of 'I'm going to go' (I'm going to go) and 'I'm going to come' (I'm going to come) you should simply use 'I'm going' and 'I'm coming'.

Be going can mean inevitability, enormous probability, obviousness of a future event. Typically, the context describes the signs that an event will occur.

Polly "s missed the bus. She’s going to be late. - Polly missed her bus. She’ll probably be late.

You will probably also find this article useful, where you will find not only the theory, but also exercises on this topic.

There are several ways to talk about plans for the future, dreams, and upcoming events. This is where the rub comes in. After all, it can be both the present tense and the future, and a special construction to be going to. It is the latter that we will talk about.

If you know exactly what you are going to do, then use to be going to, which in Russian (relative to the future tense) will sound like “I’m going, I intend.” The action refers to the future, the immediate, almost exact. Our rules and exercises on “to be going to” will help you see the usage and all the differences from other times.

Conjugation of the construction to be going to

The verb be is revealed according to the conjugation, the usual forms in the present tense. And after to there is always one more action.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I am going to sleep	I am not going to sleep	Am I going to sleep?
She (he, it) is going to sleep	She (he, it) is not going to sleep	Is she (he, it) going to sleep?
We are going to sleep	We are not going to sleep	Are we going to sleep?
You are going to sleep	You are not going to sleep	Are you going to sleep?
They are going to sleep	They are not going to sleep	Are they going to sleep?

Well abbreviated forms, which are used both in spoken language and in writing.

I am= I am = am not - not abbreviated

She is= she’s= isn’t

We are = we’re = aren’t

They are = they’re= aren’t

Use

1. In order not to be confused with Present Continuous ( in the meaning of going - where the process is emphasized), pay attention to the infinitive after to. The first tells where you are going, and the second tells what you are going to do. Well, what can I say, let's look at examples:

I am going to the theater. - I am going to the theater.

I am going to do shopping. — I'm going shopping.

She is not going by bus now. — She's not going by bus now.

She is not going to get out of the bus. “She’s not going to get off the bus.”

2. To be going to is often confused with Future Simple , where the future is expressed with will be. The second tense speaks about the intended action, about what you expect, plan, believe, predict future actions, but do not know for sure. Or, if you decide to do something at the moment of conversation, based on the situation, then we use will be. But if your intention was previously far-fetched, then - to be going to.

We haven't any sugar. I will take some. - We don't have sugar. I'll take some. (The action occurred during the conversation)

I am going to buy some sugar because we haven’t any. — I'm going to buy sugar, since we don't have any. (It’s already been decided what needs to be bought, and I’m already going to buy)

Are you sure that he will get this place? - Are you sure he will get this place? (assumption)

It's 4 o'clock. We are going to be late. - Four o'clock. We will be late (the present situation suggests that we are going to be late in the near future, this is almost certain)

Look! the sky is grey. It is going to rain. - Look! Grey sky. It's going to rain now (almost certainly, the results of the present say so)

I have seen the forecast. It will be rainy tomorrow. — I looked at the weather forecast. It will rain tomorrow (possibly)

The first part of the plan was completed. We have read the rules. Now it’s time to move on to exercises on “to be going to.” After them, you will be convinced that there is nothing complicated in this design. Your task is to carefully look at the sentence and its meaning, and the rest is a matter of practice. Get started!