Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 26 · A2

I'm going to ...

Use am/is/are going to + verb for something you have already decided to do, and for something that is clearly about to happen.

Start the lesson

10Steps · about 16 minutes

In this lesson

The form: am/is/are going to + verbA1 screen of questions
I am going to do something: I have decidedB3 screens of questions
Something is going to happen: you can see it nowC1 screen of questions

Point A of 3

The form: am/is/are going to + verb

At breakfast, Nadia decides that tonight she will wash the car. She says: I'm going to wash the car this evening.

We use am/is/are going to + verb for the future.

Subject be going to verb
I am (not) going to do ...
he / she / it is (not) going to eat ...
we / you / they are (not) going to watch ...

Questions put am/is/are first:

be Subject going to verb
Am I going to buy ... ?
Is he / she / it going to drink ... ?
Are we / you / they going to wear ... ?
  • She's going to wash the car this evening.
  • I'm not going to watch the match.
  • Are they going to sell the house?

Point A · Exercise 26.1

What are these people saying? Use going to.

  1. Example

    A woman looks at the cinema times on her phone and thinks about a film tonight.

    "I'm going to watch a film tonight."

    Answer"I'm going to watch a film tonight."

  2. A man is standing at the counter in a newsagent's, pointing at a newspaper.

    "I a newspaper."

  3. Two girls are walking to the park with a ball, thinking about a game of football.

    "We football."

  4. A tired man in a dressing gown is walking towards the bathroom, thinking about hot water and bubbles.

    "I a bath."

Point B of 3

I am going to do something: I have decided

I am going to do something tells you the decision is already made. I chose earlier; the action comes later.

Past Now Future
I decided to do it. I'm going to do it. I do it.

The present continuous (I am doing) can also point to the future. It suits fixed arrangements, often with a time and place attached (Unit 25).

  • I'm going to paint the bathroom on Saturday.
  • Gareth is going to buy a new bike.
  • I'm not going to have lunch today. I had a huge breakfast.
  • What are you going to cook tonight?
  • "Your shoes are muddy." "I know. I'm going to clean them."
  • Are you going to ask Ruth to the wedding?
  • I'm meeting Ruth for lunch on Thursday. (an arrangement)

Point B · Exercise 26.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use going to + one of these verbs.

Use these

cleancookdofixmakesleepvisitwatchwear

  1. Example

    My boots are covered in mud. I'm going to clean them.

    AnswerMy boots are covered in mud. I'm going to clean them.

  2. Example

    What are you going to wear to the wedding?

    AnswerWhat are you going to wear to the wedding?

  3. I don't want a takeaway tonight. I something at home.

  4. Ellie is going to Bristol next week. She her aunt.

  5. My bike has a flat tyre. I it this weekend.

  6. It's Grandad's birthday on Sunday. We him a cake.

Point B · Exercise 26.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use going to + one of these verbs.

Use these

cleancookdofixmakesleepvisitwatchwear

  1. Leo says he's absolutely exhausted. He for a couple of hours.

  2. There's a good documentary on the telly tonight. you it?

  3. What Mia when she finishes university?

Point B · Exercise 26.4

What are you going to do today or tomorrow? Write three sentences.

  1. I'm ...

  2. Another sentence.

  3. Another sentence.

Point C of 3

Something is going to happen: you can see it now

Something is going to happen means that the situation now makes it clear. The evidence is in front of you, and it is not encouraging.

  • Look at those clouds. It's going to rain. (dark clouds now, so rain soon)
  • It's ten to nine and I'm still in my pyjamas. I'm going to be late. (the time now, so late soon)
  • Be careful with that glass! It's going to fall.

Point C · Exercise 26.3

Read each scene. What is going to happen?

  1. Example

    The sky over the beach is black and the first few drops are landing on the sand.

    It's going to rain.

    AnswerIt's going to rain.

  2. A ladder is leaning against a wall, and the bottom of it is sliding away on the wet ground.

    The ladder .

  3. A car is going very fast towards a wall at the end of a narrow road.

    The car .

  4. A man is running for a bus and is looking at his watch, not at the bag on the pavement in front of his feet.

    He .

Lesson 26 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: will/shall 1Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. The form: am/is/are going to + verb–Not checkedB. I am going to do something: I have decided–Not checkedC. Something is going to happen: you can see it now–Not checked