What is the Future Tense with "Going To"?
The future with going to is used to talk about the future in two very distinct and important situations:
1. Intentions and plans — things you have already decided to do before speaking.
2. Predictions based on present evidence — when you can clearly see or feel that something is about to happen right now.
Essentially, going to connects a present decision or observation directly to a future outcome. It makes the future feel much closer and more certain than the Future Simple (will).
Future with "Going To" Structure and Formula
How to Form the Future with "Going To": Positive Sentences
The positive form requires the correct conjugation of the "To Be" verb (am/is/are).
Formula: Subject + am/is/are + going to + Base Verb
(S + am/is/are + going to + V + O)
| Subject (S) | Auxiliary (To Be) | going to | Base Verb (V) | Rest of Sentence (O) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | am ('m) | going to | leave | soon. |
| You / We / They | are ('re) | going to | travel | to Paris. |
| He / She / It | is ('s) | going to | rain | heavily. |
Examples with Syntax Points:
I am going to call (S + am + going to + V) her tonight.
They 're going to move to a new flat.
It 's going to rain — look at those clouds.
Pro Tip: In spoken English, native speakers often blend "going to" into "gonna" (e.g., I'm gonna leave soon). However, you should never write "gonna" in formal, academic, or professional settings.
How to Form the Future with "Going To": Negative Sentences
Add not immediately after the to be verb.
Formula: Subject + am/is/are not + going to + Base Verb
(S + am/is/are not + going to + V)
| Subject (S) | Auxiliary (Negative) | going to | Base Verb (V) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 'm not (am not) | going to | stay |
| You / We / They | aren't (are not) | going to | stay |
| He / She / It | isn't (is not) | going to | stay |
I 'm not going to accept (S + am not + going to + V) that offer.
She isn't going to be at the meeting.
How to Form the Future with "Going To": Questions and Short Answers
To form a question, invert the subject and the verb "To Be".
Formula: Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + Base Verb?
(Am/Is/Are + S + going to + V + O?)
| Question Structure | Positive Short Answer | Negative Short Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Am I going to need this? | Yes, you are. | No, you aren't. |
| Are you going to apply? | Yes, I am. | No, I 'm not. |
| Is he going to come? | Yes, he is. | No, he isn't. |
"Are you going to take the job?" "Yes, I think I am."
"Is she going to be okay?" "The doctor says she is."
Wh- Questions Formula: Wh- word + am/is/are + S + going to + V?
What are you going to do?
Where is she going to live?
When to Use the Future Tense with "Going To" in English
1. Intentions: Plans Already Decided Before Speaking
Use going to when the speaker has already made a decision before the exact moment of speaking.
I 'm going to study medicine. (I decided this months ago)
We 're going to paint the kitchen this weekend. (We already bought the paint)
They 're going to have a baby!
Instructor Tip: This feels like the future action is "already in motion" mentally.
2. Predictions Based on Direct Present Evidence
When something in the physical present situation makes a future outcome completely obvious or highly likely.
Look at those dark clouds — it 's going to rain.
He 's going to be sick if he eats any more of that.
Careful! You 're going to drop that!
The key here is the visible evidence: the clouds, the full stomach, the wobbling hands.
How to Tell the Difference Between "Going To" and Similar Future Tenses
"Going To" vs. Future Simple (Will)
These two future forms are heavily confused. Use this strict breakdown:
| Feature | Going to + Base Verb | Will + Base Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Timing | Pre-decided plan or intention | Spontaneous decision made exactly now |
| Prediction Focus | Prediction with direct present, physical evidence | Prediction based on general belief, opinion, or knowledge |
| Decision Example | I 'm going to buy a laptop. (Already decided yesterday) | "The phone is ringing!" "I 'll answer it." (Decided now) |
| Prediction Example | Look — she 's going to fall! (Visible evidence) | I think she 'll be a good manager. (Opinion/belief) |
"Going To" vs. Present Continuous (For Future Plans)
Both can express future plans, but the Present Continuous requires a higher level of absolute certainty (an appointment).
| Feature | Going to | Present Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| Certainty Level | Intended / decided | 100% Fixed / arranged with others (in a diary) |
| Medical Example | I 'm going to see a doctor. (Intention, time not fixed) | I 'm seeing a doctor at 3 p.m. (Specific appointment made) |
| Social Example | We 're going to have a party. (Plan in mind) | We 're having a party on Saturday. (Guests are invited and food is bought) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say "I am going to go to the store?"
Yes, grammatically "I am going to go" is perfectly correct. However, because it sounds repetitive, many native speakers will simply adopt the Present Continuous instead and say, "I am going to the store."
Is "gonna" acceptable in English writing?
No. Never write "gonna" in formal emails, tests, or academic papers. It is an informal slang contraction used exclusively in conversational speech or text messaging.
Why do some sentences use "going to" without a verb after it?
When you see a sentence like "I am going to London", this is not the Future with "going to". This is actually the Present Continuous tense of the verb "to go," expressing a travel arrangement. To be the Future tense, it must be followed by a base verb (e.g., "I am going to travel to London").
Summary & Cheatsheet for Future with "Going To"
| Core Use | Key Signal in the Brain | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-decided Intention | Already decided before speaking | I'm going to quit my job. |
| Prediction with Evidence | Visible, obvious present situation | Look out — it's going to fall! |
💡 Quick Identifier:
- Was this decided yesterday/earlier? → Use Going To
- Was this decided one second ago? → Use Will