Use am, is, or are plus going to plus the base verb to talk about decided plans and predictions based on present evidence, as in I am going to visit my grandmother this weekend or look at those clouds, it’s going to rain. The main verb never changes, no matter the subject.
Grammar Rule
Going to is formed with am/is/are + going to + base verb, and is used for decided plans and predictions based on present evidence.
Going To: Rules and Examples
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am going to | I am going to visit my grandmother this weekend. |
| he / she / it | is going to | Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain. Is he going to buy a new car? |
| you / we / they | are going to | They aren’t going to come to the party. What are you going to do tonight? |
Remember: identify the subject first to choose am, is, or are; the main verb always stays in its base form.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below forming the correct going to sentence. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Future with Going to – Plans and Predictions
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form going to for plans?
Use am, is, or are plus going to plus the base verb, as in I am going to visit my grandmother this weekend, choosing the auxiliary that matches the subject.
When do you use going to instead of will?
Use going to for decided plans or predictions based on present evidence, such as dark clouds in the sky, rather than for spontaneous decisions.
How do you form the negative and question with going to?
Add not after am, is, or are for the negative, as in they aren’t going to come, and invert the auxiliary and subject for questions, as in what are you going to do tonight.
Does the main verb change after going to?
No, the main verb always stays in its base form after going to, regardless of the subject or sentence type.