Be Going to
We use "am / is / are + going to + base verb" in two main situations:
1)To talk about future plans and intentions:
We use be going to when we have already decided to do something in the future.
She's been saving her money for a year. She's going to buy a car.
We're going to visit my grandparents this weekend.
2)To make predictions:
We use "be going to" when we think something will happen in the future, often because there's some present evidence.
Look at those dark clouds. It's going to rain.
He drives dangerously and too fast. I think he's going to have an accident soon.
We can also use "will + base verb" to make predictions about the future.
I think prices will go up next year.
(= I think prices are going to go up next year.)
She will be a great teacher one day.
(= She's going to be a great teacher one day.)
When we use this structure, "am", "is" or "are" acts as the auxiliary verb. We change it to form negatives and questions.
What are you going to do after you graduate from college?
He isn't going to pass the exam. He hasn't studied at all.
Exercises
Complete with "be going to" + a verb from the box below.snow | fall | not play | make | help | not read | go | study
1.I'm tired. I ____ to bed early tonight.
I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed early tonight.
2.The radio said it ____ next week.
The radio said it's going to snow next week.
3.Who ____ us with the project?
Who's going to help us with the project?
4.She ____ hard for the exam.
She's going to study hard for the exam.
5.The children ____ football today. It's too hot.
The children aren't going to playfootball today. It's too hot.
6.Be careful! You ____ off that chair.
Be careful! You're going to fall off that chair.
7.____ we ____ a cake for his birthday?
Are we going to make a cake for his birthday?
8.He hates books. He ____ the novel.
He hates books. He isn't going to read the novel.