Future Simple “Be Going To”

Future Simple “Be Going To”

I. Forms

             Positive:       Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb _{(base form)} +…

Examples:

o    He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

o    I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.

o    I’m going to get married in 2010.

o    You are going to meet Jane tonight

            Negative:      Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + verb _{(base form)} +…

Examples:

o    They are not going to join the party.

o    She isn’t going to visit the doctor.

o    He isn’t going to do his homework.

o    You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

            Question:      Am/is/are + subject + going to + verb _{(base form)} +…?

Examples:

• Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
• Are you going to get married soon?
• Where are you going to visit on holiday?
• What is she going to do if she has free time?

II. Uses

“Be going to” is used to express:

    1. A Plan, decision or intention made before the moment of speaking.

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

    Examples:

·       She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.

·       A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.

·       Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

·       They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.

·       Who are you going to invite to the party?

·       A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

·       A: What are you going to buy for Ravy’s birthday?

B: I’m going to buy her a necklace.

    2. The future prediction with present evidence or proof

      Examples:

·       Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain soon. (I can see the clouds.)

·       He is very serious. He’s going to die soon.

·       That building is so old. It’s going to fall.

è "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore ABOVE USEGES do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

·       The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.

·       The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.

·       John Smith will be the next President.

·       John Smith is going to be the next President.

·       The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.

·       The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

è IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

è No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

·       When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct

·       When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

III. Future Simple Active / Passive with “be going to”

Receiver action + am/is/are + going to + be+ Past Participle + (by…)

Examples:

·       Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active

·       A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive