Plans and Predictions with "Be Going To" — Explanation

Be going to: A1 English Grammar exercises for making plans and predictions. Learn how to say "be going to" in English.

Be going to - Plans and Predictions

We talk about the future with "be going to." There are two main ways to use it:

1. Plans and intentions are when we've already made up our minds to do something.
2. Predictions are when we believe something will happen in the future based on facts or our gut feelings.

Examples:

• I’m going to visit my grandparents next weekend. (plan)
• Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain soon. (prediction)

Form of “be going to”

Structure:
am / is / are + going to + base verb

Subject	Be verb	Example
I	am	I’m going to study.
You / We / They	are	We’re going to travel.
He / She / It	is	She’s going to call her friend.

Examples:

• I’m going to learn English.
• He’s going to buy a new car.
• They’re going to visit London.

Negative form

To make it negative, add not after the verb “be.”

Structure:
am not / isn’t / aren’t + going to + verb

Examples:

• I’m not going to watch TV tonight.
• She isn’t going to eat pizza.
• They aren’t going to play football.

Question form

To make questions, put the verb be before the subject.

Structure:
Am / Is / Are + subject + going to + verb?

Examples:

• Are you going to study tonight?
• Is he going to call her?
• What are you going to do tomorrow?

Short answers:

• Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
• Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

When to use “be going to”

A. Future plans or intentions

We say "be going to" when we have already made up our minds to do something.

Examples:

• I’m going to start a new job next month.
• We’re going to visit our friends this weekend.

B. Predictions

We often say "be going to" when we can see proof of what we think will happen in the future.

Examples:

• Look at the sky! It’s going to rain.
• She’s studying a lot; she’s going to pass the exam.

Summary Table

Use	Example
Plans / Intentions	I’m going to call my friend.
Predictions	It’s going to snow tonight.
Negative	I’m not going to watch TV.
Question	Are you going to travel next week?

Common Mistakes

I going to eat. → I’m going to eat.
She going to play. → She’s going to play.
They not going to come. → They aren’t going to come.

Quick practice

Try writing your own sentences:

• I’m going to ___________ tomorrow.
• It’s going to ___________ soon.