Will or Going to - what is their difference and when to use? The expression to be going to in English Bi going to example sentences.
Even those who have never studied English know that go- this is “to go”. But not everything is as simple as it seems, because the verb go not always used in this meaning. In this article we will not consider the numerous semantic meanings of the verb go (of which, by the way, there are more than forty), nor will we understand stable combinations with the verb go (the number of which is difficult to imagine). In this article we will talk about the going to construction, which, although it includes a verb form go, serves to express completely different meanings.
So when we first see the design be going to in a sentence, the first thought is ordinary. For example:
I am going to buy a new camera.
Those who are not yet familiar with the design functions going to, will be translated like this: I'm going to buy a new camera (right now). Everything seems logical, there are no doubts about the correctness of the translation.
However, when additional information appears, it becomes more difficult:
He is going to publish his new book next year.
The scientists are going to launch a new space project soon.
In fact, everything is simple, you just need to understand one rule: no one goes anywhere!
Going to- a construction that is used to express plans, intentions, and forecasts for the future. Respectively:
I am going to buy a new camera. - I'm going to buy a new camera.
He is going to publish his new book next year. - He is going to publish a new book next year.
The scientists are going to launch a new space project soon. - Scientists are soon planning to launch a new space program.
Before we look in detail at the functions of the construction and its grammatical features, let's remember once and for all how to distinguish it from other forms. Let's compare two sentences:
I am going to school now.
I am going to meet my friends tomorrow.
In the first sentence, going to is followed by a noun, therefore, to- a preposition of movement that indicates the direction where I am actually going now.
In the second sentence after going there is an infinitive with a particle to, that is, a verb. This verb shows what I am going to do.
And of course, don’t forget about the context! He is your indispensable assistant, because sometimes only context allows you to fully understand the meaning of a statement.
Now let's talk more about forms.
The construction be going to is always preceded by a verb to be, and, as is known, it changes according to gender and number:
I am going to tell you about my last holiday. - I'm going to tell you about my last vacation.
She is going to call you today. - She's going to call you today.
They are going to sell their car. - They are going to sell their car.
If someone is not going to do something, a negative form is built. To the verb to be a negative particle is added not:
I am not going to read this book. - I'm not going to read this book.
He is not going to play with us. - He's not going to play with us.
We are not going to discuss this question. - We are not going to discuss this issue.
And finally, to ask a question, verb to be moves to the beginning of the sentence:
In addition, the construction be going to is notable for the fact that it can be used in the past tense. To do this, remember that in the past tense the verb to be has only two forms: was And were. And affirmative, negative and interrogative statements are built on the same principle:
I was going to ask you out. - I was going to invite you somewhere.
It was going to rain so I took my umbrella. - It was going to rain, so I took an umbrella.
We were going to have a picnic by the river. - We were going to have a picnic by the river.
I was not going to buy new shoes. I don"t know how it happened! - I wasn’t going to buy new shoes. I don’t know how it happened!
She was not going to help us. - She wasn't going to help us.
They were not going to listen to me. - They weren't going to listen to me.
Everything is clear with the forms, now it’s time to learn about the meanings of the be going to construction:
1. Planned actions (Plans).
Use be going to when talking about what you have planned, what you want to do in the future. Be going to used more in informal communication; in more formal situations the verb to plan is used.
What are you going to do on holiday? - I am going to visit my parents and spend some time in the countryside. - What are you going to do on vacation? I'm going to visit my parents and spend a few days out of town.
They were going to leave, but I persuaded them to stay. - They intended to leave, but I convinced them to stay.
2. Decisions and Intentions.
If you use be going to, your interlocutor understands that you made the decision in advance, not at the time of the conversation. Be going to also serves to express intentions:
Jim and Mary are going to get married. - Jim and Mary are going (decided) to get married.
He is going to become a lawyer like his father. - He is going (intends) to become a lawyer, like his father.
3. Predictions Based on Evidence.
This formulation may not be entirely clear. Let's look at an example. You look out the window and see black clouds and hear thunder. What prediction will you make? Most likely you will say: “Now it’s going to rain (And as always, I’m without an umbrella!)”.
To express such an assumption in English, you will have to use nothing more than the construction be going to:
It is going to rain.
Or you notice a person slipping on the street and about to fall. You say:
He is going to fall.
Be going to should be used to express actions that are certain to happen in the near future, which we can judge from what we see and hear.
Please note that in sentences with be going to the subject may be inanimate, e.g. it:
It is going to snow. - It will snow.
These are the three main meanings of the be going to construction in which it is used most often. If your level is average, even above average, then these values will be quite enough for you to communicate. For an advanced level, you can add a couple more.
4. Commands.
Be going to is sometimes used to insist that someone do something, or, conversely, not do it:
You are not going to wear this dress! - You will not wear this dress!
You are going to stay at home whether you want it or not. - You will stay at home whether you like it or not.
5. Failures (Refusals).
In Russian, if we really don’t want to do something, we say: “I’m not going to do it!” So, in English it’s the same story, if you flatly refuse to do something, you can say: "I am not going to do it!". This sentence sounds very emotional and even a little rude, so be careful and use it appropriately so as not to offend anyone:
I am not going to do your work! You get paid for it! - I'm not going to do your job! You get paid for it!
I am not going to solve your problems! You"ve made your bed, now you can lie on it! - I'm not going to solve your problems! You made the mess, so you can sort it out yourself!
It is important to remember that the construction be going to is not used with verbs go And come, as well as with some other verbs denoting movement. Instead of going to, use these verbs:
I am going to the seaside tomorrow. (NOT am going to go) - I am going/going to the sea tomorrow.
My friends are coming for dinner on Sunday. (NOT are going to come) - My friends are going to come/are coming for dinner on Sunday.
I would also like to note that in conversational communication the pronunciation of going to is often simplified to gonna ["g(ə)nə]. In films and songs you have repeatedly heard: I'm gonna, You're gonna and so on. So, know that gonna is an informal, colloquial version of the construction going to. In negatives, the auxiliary verb to be (am not, are not, is not) is also “simplified” and pronounced as . Read more about abbreviations.
Bon Jovi in his song It's My Life sings the following:
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
This is my life
Now or never
I won't live forever.
A very good idea, by the way! It's worth heeding Bon Jovi's advice:
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To express plans, forecasts or intentions in English, the construction “ to be going to“. This is the so-called future with going to or going to future.
Education
Formed by the verb to go in the Present Continuous form ( am/is/are going- here it means going, intending) and the infinitive of the semantic verb with a particle to.
When I grow up, I'm going to be a doctor. - When I grow up, I will become a doctor.
I am going to learn French next year.- I am going to (intend) to study French next year.
I’m going to visit Anna tomorrow.- I'm going to visit Anna tomorrow.
I’ve passed all the exams, I’m going to celebrate it.- I passed all the exams, I'm going to celebrate it.
Use
Turnover to be going toused in the following cases:
1. To express the intention to perform an action or confidence in its completion in the future, along with the Present Continuous, the Present Continuous of the verb is very often used to go - I am (he is etc.) going - in combination with the infinitive. I am going in this case it means going to, intending:
What are you going to do tonight?- What will you do in the evening?
I’m going to visit my parents.- I'll go visit my parents.
I am going to send him a telegram. - I'm going to send him a telegram.
How long are you going to stay with us?- How long are you going to stay with us?
To avoid tautology, the form with be going to not used with verbs to go And to come.
2. To be going to can also be used to express the high probability or inevitability of an action in the future, since their signs are obvious in the present. The subject in these cases may be an inanimate object. Such phrases are translated into Russian in the future tense:
She's going to have a baby.- She will have a child.
- Look at the clouds! It's going to rain.- Look at the clouds. It's going to rain now.
Using turnover to be going to emphasize that there is already an intention to carry out an action in the future planned before the moment of speech. The Future Indefinite form represents future events as merely probable facts; conveys the intention to do something, but without firm confidence, as with to be going to; or conveys intentions, decisions that arose at the time of conversation.
We've run out of sugar. I know. I'm going to buy some.- I know. I'm going to buy it.
We've run out of sugar.- We don’t (run out) of sugar. Have we? I didn't know. I’ll buy some when I go shopping.- Really? I did not know. I'll buy it when I go to the store.
We also use the planned future in the past was / were going to, when talking about something someone intended to do in the past. For example:
I thought he was going to fall.- I thought he would fall.
I wasn't going to laugh.- I didn't mean to laugh.
He was going to buy a new car.- He was going to buy a new car.
- To be going to (expression of plans for the future) in English
- Rules for the formation and use of the structure
- Example sentences with to be going to
Design "to be going to" used in the following cases:
Case 1. First, to express a decision already made or plans for the near future:
Case 2. Secondly, to communicate an intention to do something:
Case 3. Thirdly, to express the high probability, inevitability that something will happen now.
Negation
Negation with the construction “to be going to” is formed using a particle not:
I am not going to buy a new car in winter.
I'm not going to buy a new car in winter.
Question
to be comes first:
Are you going to stay at this hotel?
Are you planning to stay at this hotel?
Design "tobegoingto" is used in the following cases:
- Firstly, to express a decision already made or plans for the near future. For example,Heisgoingtovisithisparents. - He is going to visit his parents.
- Secondly, to communicate your intention to do something. For example,Sheisgoingtobeadoctor. - She's going to become a doctor.
- Thirdly, to express the high probability, inevitability that something will happen now. For example, There is a hole in front of this man. He is going to fall into it. - Before this a man hole. He will fall into it!
Negation with the construction "tobegoingto" is formed using a particlenot. For example,Iamnotgoingtobuyanewcarinwinter. - I'm not going to buy a new car in winter.
When forming a question verbtobe is put first. For example,Areyougoingtostayatthishotel? -Are you planning to stay at this hotel?
The phrase to be going to is translated into Russian as getting ready to do something. In English speech this phrase occurs very often. The phrase is used to express future intentions that have already been decided. To use this expression correctly, let's look at the situations in which it is used and what the subtleties of this construction are. Many native speakers pronounce the final letter [goingG] in the word going, but in standard English pronunciation they use this transcription [ˈgəʊɪŋ], that is, the G sound is not pronounced.
Formation of the phrase be going to
be going to rules and examples of formation of turnover:
verb To be (am/is/are) going to + Infinitive
-I' m going to study for exams - I'm going to prepare for exams.
—I am going to visit my stepfather this evening - I'm going to visit my stepfather this evening.
For fluent speech, they are often abbreviated with pronouns - I'm, he's, she's.
Forms of sentences of the construction Be going to
You already know that the construction to be going to in English has three sentence forms: affirmative, negative and interrogative. To quickly understand how sentences are built with turnover, we have displayed everything in tables.
Table of formation of affirmative and negative sentences
For affirmative sentences we use the formula:
Subject + the verb to be (am/is/are) + going to + infinitive + rest of sentence.
For negation the formula is the same. Only negative particle not stands after . Negative sentences can be shortened in two ways: He isn’t or He’s not.
Subject Subject | Positive (statement) | Negative (negation) | base form of the verb base verb form | rest of sentence the rest of the offer |
I | am going to | am not going to (I’m not) | paint | the kitchen tomorrow. |
He/She/It | is going to | isn't (is not) going to | ||
You/We/They | are going to | aren't (are not) going to |
More examples:
— We are going to sing a song at the concert tomorrow - Tomorrow at the concert we will sing a song.
—My parents are going to buy new furniture – My parents are going to buy new furniture.
-I' m not going to Los Angeles for the summer holidays – I will not go to Los Angeles for the summer holidays.
Interrogative form be going to - General question
Interrogative sentences begin with (am, is, are) or (isn’t, aren’t for negative questions), then choose the subject, followed by the phrase + base form of the verb.
The verb To be | Subject Subject | Turnover going to + verb (verb) | rest of sentence the rest of the offer |
Am | I | going to see | the dentist tomorrow? |
Is/Isn't | he/she/it | ||
Are/Aren't | you/we/they |
Examples:
— Is she going to have another baby? Oh boy, she is crazy – Will she have another child? God, she's crazy.
— Your car is very dirty. Is your son going to wash is it this afternoon? – Your car is very dirty. Is your son going to wash it?
Special question
Wh-questions are questions that require additional information in their answers.
Question words: what, where, when, which, why, who, how, how many, how much.
To form a special question, start the sentence with a question word, then add the desired, subject, phrase and infinitive.
Wh-word Question word | The verb to be Verb to be | Subject | Turn going to + verb (verb) | rest of sentence |
Why | am | I | going to watch | the interview with the Queen? |
is / Isn't | he/she/it | |||
are/ aren't | you/we/they |
Examples:
— Why isn't he going to buy that computer? – Why doesn’t he buy himself a computer?
— What are you going to do tonight? – What are you going to do tonight?
Uses of be going to
After you have learned how to construct sentences, let's see in what cases you can use our expression today.
- 1. Actions that must be completed in the near future.
Let's look at some examples:
—She' s going to visit her sister tomorrow - Tomorrow she is going to visit her sister.
—Chris is going to take a few days off next week – Chris is going to take a few days off next week.
—I am going to buy a new car tomorrow – I’m going to buy a new car tomorrow.
- 2. Planned actions or intentions.
- We've decided. We are going to get married - We decided. We're going to get married.
-I' m going to meet my husband in town – I’m going to meet my husband in the city.
- No is going to be promoted - He will be promoted. (The boss has already decided so).
- 3. Obvious actions that will happen in the near future:
- Look at the sky! The clouds are so dark! It is going to rain - Look at the sky! The clouds are so dark. It will rain.
- Look out! That dog is going to bite you! - Be careful! This dog will bite you!
- Look at the sun! It' s going to be a wonderful day – Look at the sun! Today will be a wonderful day.
- 4. The design can be used when we order.
(Parent to child)
— You are going to clean up that mess right now! – You will clean up this mess right now!
In such cases, you can use and.
- I'm sorry, you are not taking my iPad.
- 5. We use phrases with such words as markers - in one year, tomorrow, next week, etc.
— We are going to fly to Washington next week– We will fly to Washington next week.
— They are going to have a picnic tomorrow They are going to have a picnic tomorrow.
There are also phrases in English be about to, to be on the point of is translated into Russian exactly the same as the expression be going to(getting ready to do something). Be about to is used when something will happen in the near future. To be on the point of- literary expression.
— Researchers say they are on the point of discovering a new anti-wrinkles cream – Researchers say they are on the verge of discovering a new anti-wrinkles cream.
— The parents are about to arrive - Parents are about to arrive.
In English, with the words go and come, we use , rather than “be going to”.
Example:
— She is going to Costa Rica next month Rather than She is going to go…
You need to rest and relax a little. Watch a video of how native speakers use turnover be going to.
Was going to – Past form
Was going to expresses unfulfilled agreements or plans in the past, or actions that we intended to do, but could not.
Example:
— My first few days in the city were so unpleasant that I was going to move straight back home – My first few days in the city were so unpleasant that I was considering moving back home.
—I was going to quit my job and leave town forever – I was going to quit my job and leave the city forever.
What does “gonna” mean?
When native speakers speak quickly, they often use the shortened form “gonna” instead of the correct form.
For example:
Ralph is dirty. I'm gonna wash him.
It means: I'm going to wash him.
In interrogative sentences, are is omitted with the second person singular (you) and with the first and second person plural (we, you).
Let's look at some more examples:
— Be careful, you're gonna hit the wall - Be careful, you'll hit the wall.
—She's gonna faint- She will faint.
— What we gonna do now? - What do we do now?
- I'm gonna to Manchester tomorrow - I'm going to go to Manchester tomorrow.
—He's gonna work until late tomorrow - Tomorrow he will work late.
- What's she gonna wear on her birthday party? – What is she going to wear for her birthday?
—Which skirt you gonna wear for the party tonight? – What skirt will you wear to the party today?
This shortened form is found very often in informal conversation, for example, with friends. It is not necessary to use these expressions in your speech, but it is very important to recognize them when communicating with native speakers.
But be careful when you use – “ gonna" If you are at an interview or other official event, do not use this form.
But still " gonna” occurs quite often. There are a lot of such abbreviations in English. For example, " Dunno" - it means " I don't know”. “Wanna” – “I want to”.
The contractions Gotta, wanna and gonna have been used regularly in headlines or popular songs since the 1950s or even earlier.
Difference between Future Simple To be going to
As you can see, both sentences express almost the same idea.
To express the same idea, you can use both and be going to. In some cases there is a difference in meaning.
Tense is often used with verbs of motion.
— Are they coming home?
The present continuous tense is mainly used to talk about personal agreements and planned plans. The expression Be going to can also be used to express the same idea; however, it places additional emphasis on intention.
-I' m going to get a new job - I'm going to find a new job. (I intend to find a new job)
-I' m getting a new job - I will have a new job. (This has already been decided/arranged. The emphasis here is on agreement).
-I' m visiting grandparents tomorrow – (Here the emphasis is on an already existing agreement).
-I' m going to ask her to stop borrowing my clothes - I will ask her to stop taking my things. (Speaker's intention).
Usually not used when we are talking about things that we cannot control.
Example:
- Look out! The ladder is going to fall.
- It' s going to snow.
The expression Be going to is used only for future events. can also be used for actions that are happening right now.
To be going to Exercises on the topic covered.
Let's begin exercises on the topic covered and consolidate the material. We invite you to do interesting exercises yourself with translation into English and take online testing.
Exercise 1. Translate the sentences into English using the correct tenses you learned in this article.
1. He is going to clean his room.
2. We are going to hang pictures on the walls.
3.Is Sarah going to watch the football match tonight?
4. They will buy a new carpet.
5. Look! It is snowing!
6. We rent a parking space.
7. Is she going to wear a red dress?
8. We will plant trees.
9. My mother will turn 45 next week.
10. Where are they going to sleep?
11. We will go to London.
12. Maria, I love you so much. Will you marry me?
13. I'm not going to sing at the concert tonight.
14. I'm not entirely sure yet, but we'll probably move to Liverpool.
15. Now that he has moved to a big house, he is going to make a swimming pool in his garden. He saved for this for months.
16. Are you going to play chess today?
17. I think he will become a good doctor.
18. You will regret this!
19. Back! The bomb is about to explode.
20. My car won't start.
The construction to be going to is present in English in order to be able to grammatically correctly convey your plans for the future and talk about some things. Find out from the interlocutor about his plans, or, conversely, clarify what the person does not intend to do.
The phrase “to be going to” means “to be going to do something.” This design is used:
- if there is already a plan of action in advance (he is going to read a car magazine, she is going to visit a friend)
- if we are talking about the fact that something must happen, and there is evidence for this (probably there is going to be a heavy downpour, the sky is all in dark clouds)
How are affirmative sentences formed?
The construction to be going to is divided into two halves, one of which changes, the other remains unchanged.
The first half is to be, which can change depending on the person performing the action. In the Present Simple (present tense) to be has three forms:
1) am - works with the pronoun I
2) is - works with pronouns she, he, it
3) are - works with the pronouns you, they, we
The second half of going to - never changes
It is very later, and she is going to sleep. - It's very late and she's about to go to bed.
They are going to take part in this party. - They are going to take part in the party.
I am going to wear this beautiful dress on the last school's bell. - I am going to wear this beautiful dress on the last school bell.
My sister is now busy, but in the evening she is going to join us at the party. - My sister is a little busy right now, but she is going to join us for a party in the evening.
Be quick! You are going to miss your plane. - Hurry up! You'll miss your plane.
Negative form
In order to use the phrase to be going to in the form of negation in speech, we need the particle not, which is added to the verb to be.
He is not going to write the composition in English. - He is not going to write an essay in English.
They are not going to refuse to cooperate. - They are not going to refuse cooperation.
I am not going to participate in this dangerous matter. - I am not going to participate in this dangerous business.
Interrogative form
If we need to ask a question to find out whether someone is going to do or not do something, it is necessary to be brought forward. In interrogative sentences, this is where the sentence begins.
Is he going to visit his little brother at the hospital? - Is he going to visit his little brother in the hospital?
Are we going to make a report about wild animals? - Are we going to do a report on wild animals?
Are you going to participate in the adult chess tournament? - Are you going to take part in a chess tournament among adults?
Is your grandfather going to release his new book? - Is your grandfather going to release his new book?
Are you going to buy me a ticket for this singer's concert? - Are you going to buy me a ticket to this singer's concert?
Special questions
If we need to ask a special question, then this will require special question words: what?, where?, how many/long?, which?, who?, whom?, when? why? for what?
These words are placed at the beginning of the sentence, and the further pattern of the interrogative sentence is preserved.
On what topic are students going to write an essay? - What topic are the students going to write an essay on?
When an electrician is going to come and repair the wiring? - When is the electrician going to come and fix the wiring?
How long are your parents going to rest in Turkey? - How long are your parents going to vacation in Turkey?
How the phrase to be going to is used in the past tense
This construction can also be used for the past tense. When it comes to the fact that we are going to take some action, but for some reason we never did it. To form such a sentence it is necessary to put to be in the past tense form.
In the past tense, the phrase to be going to works the same way as in the present:
to be is replaced by was or were
Was - inherent in the singular