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Ch 4

Going-to Future

Plans · arrangements · predictions with evidence

Going to: plans and predictions

Use going to + verb for future plans you've already decided and predictions based on present evidence.

Plan / intention
I'm going to study medicine.
Future arrangement
We're going to visit my parents this weekend.
Prediction with evidence
Watch out — you are going to fall!
Going to is for plans DECIDED before speaking. For decisions made AT the moment of speaking → use will (next chapter).

Form: be + going to + base verb

subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb  →  She is going to travel. ✓
I
I am going to / I'm going to
He / She / It
She is going to / She's going to
You / We / They
They are going to / They're going to
Negative
am not / isn't / aren't going to
Question
Am / Is / Are + subject + going to + verb?

Plan vs prediction with evidence

Plan / intention
I'm going to apply for university.
decided in advance
She's going to buy a new car.
planned purchase
Prediction (evidence)
Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
visible evidence
She's pale — she's going to faint!
current sign

Future signals with "going to"

Time expressions you'll often see

Near future
tonight, tomorrow, this evening, next week
Specific date
on Friday, in October, next year
Time phrases
soon, later, in two hours, in a moment
I'm going to study tomorrow.
We're going to leave soon.
She's going to call later.

Common mistakes

She is going to studies medicine.
→
She is going to study medicine.
After "going to" → base verb (no -s)
I going to call you.
→
I am going to call you.
Don't forget am/is/are
She is going to studying.
→
She is going to study.
Base verb after "going to" (not -ing)
They will to travel next year.
→
They are going to travel next year.
"will" doesn't take "to"

Recap

Form
am/is/are + going to + base
She is going to travel.
Use 1: Plan
decided BEFORE speaking
I'm going to apply for a job.
Use 2: Prediction
based on visible evidence
It's going to rain.
Time signals
tomorrow, soon, next week, later
tonight, in October
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