41.3. Simple Future Tense (will, going to): Using 'going to' for planned actions

The Simple Future Tense is an essential aspect of English grammar, especially for beginners who are starting to learn how to express actions or events that will happen in the future. In this lesson, we will focus on using "going to" for planned actions, which is a common way to talk about future intentions or arrangements.

Understanding "Going to" for Planned Actions

When we talk about future plans or intentions, we often use the construction "going to." This form is particularly useful when we want to emphasize that a decision has already been made or that something is likely to happen because there is evidence or a clear intention.

The structure for using "going to" is straightforward:

• Subject + am/is/are + going to + base form of the verb

Let's break down this structure:

• Subject: This is the person or thing that is going to do the action.
• Am/Is/Are: These are the auxiliary verbs that agree with the subject. "Am" is used with "I," "is" is used with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it), and "are" is used with plural subjects (we, you, they).
• Going to: This phrase indicates the future intention or plan.
• Base form of the verb: This is the main action that will be performed in the future.

Examples of "Going to" for Planned Actions

Here are some examples to illustrate how "going to" is used for planned actions:

1. I am going to visit my grandparents this weekend. - This sentence shows that the speaker has already planned to visit their grandparents.
2. She is going to start a new job next month. - This indicates that she has made arrangements or has the intention to begin a new job.
3. They are going to travel to Japan next year. - This example suggests that they have plans or intentions to travel to Japan.

Differences Between "Will" and "Going to"

It's important to understand the differences between "will" and "going to" when talking about the future. While both can be used to express future actions, they are used in different contexts:

• "Will" is often used for spontaneous decisions, promises, offers, and predictions without evidence. For example, "I will help you with your homework."
• "Going to" is used for plans and intentions, especially when there is evidence or a decision has already been made. For example, "I am going to study for my exam tonight."

Using "Going to" in Questions and Negatives

Just like other tenses, we can form questions and negative sentences using "going to." Here's how:

Questions

To form a question, invert the subject and the auxiliary verb (am/is/are) as follows:

• Am I going to see you at the party?
• Is she going to join us for dinner?
• Are they going to move to a new house?

Negatives

To make a sentence negative, add "not" after the auxiliary verb (am/is/are):

• I am not going to watch the movie tonight.
• He is not going to finish his project on time.
• We are not going to attend the meeting.

Practical Exercises

To solidify your understanding of using "going to" for planned actions, try these exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct form of "going to":

1. She _______ (visit) her friend tomorrow.
2. We _______ (have) a picnic this weekend.
3. They _______ (buy) a new car next month.

Exercise 2: Make Sentences

Use the prompts to create sentences using "going to":

1. I / cook dinner / tonight
2. He / start a new hobby / soon
3. You / attend the concert / next week

Exercise 3: Questions and Negatives

Transform the following sentences into questions and negatives:

1. She is going to write a book.
2. They are going to renovate their house.
3. We are going to meet at the café.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use "going to" for planned actions is a crucial step in mastering the Simple Future Tense. By practicing the structure and using it in various contexts, you will become more comfortable expressing future plans and intentions in English. Remember, the key is to use "going to" when you have a plan or intention, and there's often evidence or a decision already made.

As you continue your journey in learning English, keep practicing with different scenarios and examples. The more you use "going to" in your conversations and writing, the more natural it will become. Happy learning!