We use “going + infinitive” to talk about the future.
These sentences are similar to the present continuous. Remember that the present continuous tense can be used to talk about right now or the future.
- I am meeting my friend now.
- I am meeting my friend tomorrow.
But “going + infinitive” can only be used to talk about the future. We usually use it when talking about a plan, intention, prediction, or after a decision has been made about some future action.
“Will” and “going + infinitive” are so similar. And in most cases, we can use either one to express the same thing.
- I will go.
(=I am going to go.) - It will rain.
(=It is going to rain.) - They will exercise.
(=They are going to exercise.) - She will move in 2 years.
(=She is going to move in 2 years.)
Here is the sentence pattern.
Subject + be verb + going + infinitive…
- I am going to finish my report tonight.
- She is going to do some research this afternoon.
- Tim said that he is going to listen to some live music tonight.
- They are going to bake a cake for her birthday.
- We are going to wait and see what happens before we make a decision.
Just add “not” to make a negative sentence.
Subject + be verb + not + going + infinitive…
- It is not going to rain tomorrow.
- I am not going to pretend to be happy.
- They are not going to take the bus. They are going to drive.
Here are some example sentences with contractions.
- I’m not going to visit my brother this month.
- She isn’t going to come.
- He’s not going to play with us.
- They’re going to join us.
- It’s not going to rain.
We can also use an adjective, noun or prepositional phrase.
Subject + be verb + (not) + going to be…
- He is not going to be angry.
- I am going to be a manager in 5 years.
- They are going to be happy to see you.
- He isn’t going to be happy when he finds out.
- Mary is going to be surprised.
- She is going to be a mother soon.
It is possible to put “not” after “going to”. This is less common and more difficult for the listener to understand, but you might hear people speak like this.
- I am going to not go.
(=I am not going to go.) - She is going to not participate.
- They are going to not talk about it.
A great way to learn English is to look at many examples and make your own sentences.
Example Sentences
- I am going to study more tonight.
- I’m going to play video games after dinner.
- I am not going to go to class today.
- I’m not going to watch the show tonight.
- You are going to like this movie.
- You’re going to be angry.
- You are not going to finish on time if you keep working slow.
- You aren’t going to be disappointed.
- We are going to visit many places on our trip.
- We’re going to sleep all day because we are so tired from our trip.
- We aren’t going to participate in the charity event this year.
- We’re not going to invite her.
- Mark is going to come with us.
- He’s going to bring his girlfriend.
- Jon isn’t going to get a promotion this year.
- He’s not going to volunteer.
- Tina is going to buy a new phone tomorrow.
- She is going to take a yoga class next year.
- She isn’t going to work with us on this project.
- She’s not going to invest her money in the stock market.
- The store is not going to be open today.
- It is not going to be cold.
- This movie isn’t going to be good.
- It is not going to work.
- Mark and Paul are going to think about it.
- They are going to skip the meeting this afternoon.
- The children aren’t going to play after dinner because they have a lot of homework.
- They are not going to be happy when they see the results.
English Conversation 1
A) What will you do this weekend?
B) I am going to take my daughter to the zoo.
A) That is great. She will love it.
B) I hope so. I think she is going to like it a lot.
A) Let me know how it goes on Monday.
English Conversation 2
A) Let’s go hiking this weekend.
B) I think it is going to rain.
A) Really? I heard that it is going to be nice.
B) Let’s check the weather again. If it is nice, then I will go with you.
A) Okay. I am going to check right now.
Learn to speak better English and improve your English grammar by simply doing this basic practice exercise. First, complete the sentences with your own answers, and then practice making your own sentences.
Tip: Say the sentences aloud. This will help you practice speaking English and improve your English fluency.
I am going to _______________ tomorrow.
I am not going to _______________ later because _______________.
He is going to _______________ at a later date.
She isn’t going to _______________ next month.
My company isn’t going to _______________ soon.
They are going to _______________ later tonight because _______________.
My friend is going to _______________.
My friend and I are going to _______________ when _______________.
