Be going to: form
We usebe going to+ the base form of the verb:
I’m going totake a few exams at the end of the year.
It’s going tobe difficult to get a job during the summer as the tourist industry is suffering from the economic downturn.
Be going to: uses
Be going tois commonly used in informal styles.
Intentions
We usebe going toto talk about future plans and intentions. Usually the decision about the future plans has already been made:
She’s going tobe a professional dancer when she grows up.
I’m going tolook for a new place to live next month.
Predictions
We usebe going toto predict something that we think is certain to happen or which we have evidence for now:
It’sgoing tosnow again soon.(The speaker can probably see dark snow clouds.)
Look out! He’s going tobreak that glass.
Commands
We usebe going towhen we give commands or state that something is obligatory:
[parent to a child]
You’re going topick up all of those toys right now. This room is a mess!
Gonna(informal contexts)
We usegonna/gənə/ instead ofgoing toin informal contexts, especially in speaking and in song lyrics. We writegonnato show how to pronounce it:
Are yougonnatry and get stuff sorted as soon as you can then?(Are you going to try and get things organised as soon as you can?)
One day I’mgonnabe a star.
Be going toorwill?
Willis often used in a similar way tobe going to.Willis used when we are talking about something with absolute certainty.Be going tois used when we want to emphasise our decision or the evidence in the present:
[An ‘A’ road is a main road. A ‘B’ road is a smaller road.]
We are now very late so we’re going totake the ‘B’ road.(the speaker refers to the present and emphasises the decision)
I know the ‘B’ roadwillbe quicker at this time of day.(the speaker states a fact)
See also:
Will
Future:willandshall