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4.6 BE GOING TO (FUTURE):

Going to is not a tense. It is a special expression to talk about the future.

Structure of Going to
The structure is:

subject + be + going + infinitive

The verb be is conjugated (past, present or future).

subject be (not) going infinitive

+ I am going to buy a new car.

+ I'm going to go swimming.

- He is not going to take the exam.

- It isn't going to rain.

? Are you going to paint the house?

She is going to leave. (She´s going to leave.)

She is not going to leave. (She isn´t going to leave. She´s not going to
leave.)

Is she going to leave?

Use of Going to
Going to - intention

We use going to when we have the intention to do something before we speak. We

have already made a decision before speaking. Look at these examples:

 Jo has won the lottery. He says he's going to buy a Porsche.

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  We're not going to paint our bedroom tomorrow.
 When are you going to go on holiday?

In these examples, we had an intention or plan before speaking. The decision

was made before speaking.

Going to - prediction

We often use going to make a prediction about the future. Our prediction is based
on present evidence. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some
examples:

 The sky is very black. It's going to snow.

 It's 8.30! You're going to miss the train!
 I crashed the company car. My boss isn't going to be very happy!

In these examples, the present situation (black sky, the time, damaged car) gives
us a good idea of what is going to happen.

The meaning of “be going to” future forms

“Be going to” is usually used when something is already planned or definite. Look at
the difference between these sentences:

I'll make the dinner tonight.

(Making a decision/volunteering to do something.)

I'm going to make the dinner every Wednesday.

(This is already planned and organized.)

EXERCISE

Complete the sentences by using ¨be going to¨

_____ we ___________ buy some bacon? Yes, we

_________________.

____ it __________ rain tonight? Yes, it __________________.

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 We ________________ buy him a pen for his birthday.

I ___________________ (not) win the race.

She ____________________ (not) buy any more chocolate.

The puma __________________ (not) attack you.

Put the verbs into the correct form (future I). Use be going to.

1. It (rain) .
2. They (eat) soup.
3. I (wear) blue shoes tonight.
4. We (not / help) you.
5. Jack (not / walk) home.
6. (cook / you) dinner?
7. Sue (share / not) her biscuits.
8. (leave / they) the house?
9. (take part / she) in the contest?
10. I (not / spend) my holiday abroad this year.

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Use the going to-future.

Example: ___ they __________ a football for Peter? (to buy)

Answer: Are they going to buy a football for Peter?

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1) She to the stadium. (not/to walk)
2) you to London? (to fly)
3) John anything. (not/to eat)
4) she at a campsite? (to stay)
5) What you tomorrow? (to do)
6) I Dennis tonight. (not/to see)
7) Alexander the next bus? (to take)
8) They football in the gym. (not/to play)
9) When you me the book back? (to give)
10) Angela a week in Poland. (to spend)

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