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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
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
1I'm tired. I ____ to bed early tonight.
I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed early tonight.
2The radio said it ____ next week.
The radio said it's going to snow next week.
3Who ____ us with the project?
Who's going to help us with the project?
4She ____ hard for the exam.
She's going to study hard for the exam.
5The children ____ football today. It's too hot.
The children aren't going to play football today. It's too hot.
6Be 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?
8He hates books. He ____ the novel.
He hates books. He isn't going to read the novel.