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règle 236


Image      I'm going to buy a new laptop!

 

 

'Going to' is one of the ways to talk about the future. It is most commonly used to refer to general plans and intentions but can also be used for some predictions.

 

 

Note that 'going to' can be used to talk about any time in the future - near or distant:

I need to finish this report today so I'm going to start right now.

I'm going to sell my house and travel round the world!

 

 


Affirmative:  subject + 'to be' + 'going to' + infinitive

                               I           am        going to    resign.

 

Negative:      subject + 'to be' + not + 'going to' + infinitive

                              I           am          not      going to    resign.

 

Interrogative: 'to be' + subject + 'going to' + infinitive

                                Are         you       going to     resign?






| Uses | Examples |

  To talk about future plans         I'm not happy at work. I'm going to look for a new job.   I'm going to wear my new red dress to the party.   Are you going to have a meeting with them?  
  To talk about intentions       I'm going to work harder in the future.   Are we going to celebrate her promotion?   When I grow up, I'm going to be a train driver.  
  Predictions based on visual evidence or something happening at the moment       Look at those grey clouds. It's going to rain.   He's driving too fast on this wet road. He's going to crash.   Oh dear, she's so upset. She's going to cry.   It's already 8 o'clock and we're not ready. We're going to miss the train!    

 

Note that for plans and intentions, these things may happen or they may not but at the time of speaking, the speaker believes they will. Intentions are often positive, constructive or beneficial in some way.


'Going to' or present continuous?

When using going to, we might mention a specific time but the focus is on an intention. If the focus is on our fixed plans and arrangements, we use the present continuous.

Compare:

“We still have a problem with the computers so we're going to discuss it at the next meeting.” [talking about an intention]

“We still have a problem with the computers.”

“Yes, I know but don't worry, we're discussing it at the meeting tomorrow.” [talking about a fixed plan]