We use this grammar point to talk about the future. We can use it to talk about plans, intentions, or predictions.
Some grammar books try to explain the difference between “will” and “going to”. But, they are so similar and in almost every case we can use either one.
In this lesson, we will study how to make questions using question words. These words are who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Follow this pattern.
Question Word + be verb + subject + going + infinitive…?
- What are you going to do this weekend?
- Where are we going to go after dinner?
- When are they going to leave?
- Why are you going to buy a new car?
- Who are you going to take with you?
- How are you going to afford a new car?
We can also use “going to be + noun/adjective/prepositional phrase”.
- When is it going to be rainy?
- Who isn’t going to be ready?
- Who is going to be the leader?
- Who is going to be at the party?
We can also make questions with “What + noun” or “Which + noun”.
- What time are you going to go?
- What sandwich are you going to get?
- What kind of bag are you going to buy?
- Which color jacket are you going to purchase?
- Which hotel are you going to choose?
- Which flavor of ice cream are you going to get?
We can also make other questions with “How”.
- How many people are you going to hire for your company?
- How much water are you going to buy?
- How often are you going to exercise on your new diet?
- How long are you going to work in Hong Kong?
Remember that sometimes “what” or “who” can be the subject of the question. The noun in “how many + noun..” can also be the subject of a question. These question patterns will look like this.
What + be verb + going + infinitive…?
Who + be verb + going + infinitive…?
How many + noun + be verb + going + infinitive…?
- What is going to happen?
- Who is going to win?
- Who is going to come to the show?
- How many people are going to be at dinner?
Make sure to practice these important questions enough that you can use them fluently the next time you speak English.
Example Questions
- What are you going to do after work?
- What’s she going to do after she gets married?
- What are they going to do this weekend?
- What is your son going to do after university?
- Where are you going to stay while you are in London?
- Where is he going to find a car for less than $1,000?
- Where’s she going to keep her dog while she is on vacation?
- Where are they going to go for their honeymoon?
- When is the movie going to start?
- When is her flight going to arrive?
- When is he going to get off of work?
- When are they going to be ready?
- Why are you going to leave now?
- Why are they going to fire 10% of their employees?
- Why is he going to leave work early today?
- Why is the child not going to go to school today?
- Who are you going to go with?
- Who is he going to take with him to the meeting?
- Who are they going to fire?
- Who is going to come?
- Who is not going to come?
- Who is going to use this?
- How are you going to go to the party?
- How are you going to afford a new house?
- How are you going to pay for your new car?
- How many people are you going to invite?
- How many people are going to come to your housewarming party?
- How long are you going to work on this project?
- How much sugar are we going to put in the cake?
- How much food are you going to make?
- What time are you going to leave?
- What day are you going to come back?
- What program are you going to choose?
- Which color are you going to paint your house?
- Which team are you going to cheer for in the championship game?
- Which one are you going to buy?
English Conversation 1
A) What time are you going to leave?
B) I think I am going to leave in a couple of hours.
A) Are you going to go home?
B) I think so. Why?
A) I was wondering if you wanted to get some dinner after work.
B) Sure. That sounds great. I’ll let you know when I am ready.
English Conversation 2
A) How long are you going to be on vacation?
B) I am going to travel for 2 weeks.
A) Who are you going to travel with?
B) I am going to go with my wife, but my kids aren’t going to go with us.
A) Then, where are you kids going to stay?
B) They are going to stay with my mother.
Practice speaking English and improve your English grammar by finishing the questions below and then practice making your own. It is a simple yet effective way to improve your English.
Tip: Say the questions aloud. This will help you practice speaking English and improve your English fluency.
What are you going to _______________?
What are you going to _______________ after_______________?
Where are you going to _______________ tonight?
Why are you going to _______________?
How many ________ are you going to _______________?
How many people are going to _______________?
Who is going to _______________?
Who are you going to _______________?
