Future with "going"
Form
When we use going in a phrase to talk about the future, the form is composed of three elements:
the verb to be conjugated to match the subject + going + the infinitive of the main verb
| Subject | + to be (conjugated) | + going | + infinitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| She | is | going | to leave. |
| I | am | going | to stay. |
| Affirmative | |||
| He | is | going | to jog. |
| Negative | |||
| He | is not | going | to jog. |
| Interrogative | |||
| Is | he | going | to jog? |
| Negative interrogative | |||
| Isn't | he | going | to jog? |
Function
The use of going to refer to future events suggests a very strong association with the present. The time is not important, it is later than now, but the attitude is that the event depends on something in the present situation that we know about. Going is mainly used to refer to our plans and intentions or to make predictions based on present evidence. In everyday speech, going to is often shortened to gonna, especially in American English, but it is never written that way.
Using "going" for plans and intentions
Examples
- Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?
- Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?
- I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.
- We are going to have dinner together tomorrow.
- Aren't you going to stay at the library until your report is finished?
Using "going" for predictions
Examples
- He's going to be a brilliant politician.
- I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep.
- You're going to be sorry you said that.
- Is it going to rain this afternoon?
- Aren't they going to come to the party?