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English grammar

going to for plans

A2 · Elementary Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

Use be going to for something you have already decided to do, and for something you can see coming: I am going to look for a new job. Look at the sky — it is going to rain. The form is am/is/are + going to + plain verb, and the negative and the question follow be, not do.

Pattern

I am going to … · she is going to … · they are going to … · Are you going to …?

Examples

  1. I am going to look for a new job.

  2. We are going to visit my sister in July.

  3. It is going to rain this afternoon.

  4. Are you going to take the exam in June?

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I going to call her.

    Right: I am going to call her.

    going to always needs am, is or are in front of it.

  • Wrong: She is going to calls the office.

    Right: She is going to call the office.

    After going to the verb is plain.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I _____ going to tidy the flat this evening.

    1. am
    2. is
    3. be
    4. are
    Show answer

    Answer: A I am going to tidy the flat this evening.

    I takes am.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    They are going to _____ the tickets tonight.

    1. books
    2. booking
    3. booked
    4. book
    Show answer

    Answer: D They are going to book the tickets tonight.

    After going to the verb is plain.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    _____ you going to come to the meeting?

    1. Do
    2. Did
    3. Are
    4. Is
    Show answer

    Answer: C Are you going to come to the meeting?

    The question uses be, not do.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    She _____ going to work on Saturday.

    1. do not
    2. did not
    3. is not
    4. does not
    Show answer

    Answer: C She is not going to work on Saturday.

    The negative uses be, not do.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    Look at those clouds. It _____ going to snow.

    1. are
    2. am
    3. is
    4. be
    Show answer

    Answer: C Look at those clouds. It is going to snow.

    it takes is.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. We are going to move house in May.
    2. We going to move house in May.
    3. We do going to move house in May.
    4. We are going to moved house in May.
    Show answer

    Answer: A We are going to move house in May.

    be + going to + plain verb.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Is he going to apply for it?
    2. Is he going to applies for it?
    3. He is going to applies for it?
    4. Does he going to apply for it?
    Show answer

    Answer: A Is he going to apply for it?

    The question turns be round.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I am going to buy a bike.
    2. I am going to bought a bike.
    3. She is going to buy a bike.
    4. We are going to buy a bike.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I am going to bought a bike.

    After going to the verb never carries a past form.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. We are going to help us tomorrow.
    2. They is going to help us.
    3. They are going to help us.
    4. He is going to help us.
    Show answer

    Answer: B They is going to help us.

    they takes are.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    I am going to call the landlord

    Show answer

    Answer: I am going to call the landlord.

    am, then going to, then the plain verb.

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