The Future with Be Going To: Statements

Vacation Plans

Where can I take you?My husband and I need to go to the airport.

Vacation Plans

We’re going to take a vacation to China.

What are you going to do in China?

Oh, we have many plans. We’re going to

have a great time.

Vacation Plans

My husband is going to see Chinese martial arts.We are going to visit the Great Wall of China.I am going to watch traditional Chinese dancing.

They are going to take a boat down the Yangtze River next week.

I am going to try local Chinese food tomorrow.

Be Going To

We can use be going to to talk about the future.

FormTo form the future with be going to, use am, is, or are + going to + the base form of the verb.

SubjectBe

Verb going toBase Form Verb

+ Other Words

Sandy is going to visit museums.

I am going to study Chinese.

They are going to travel to Beijing.

Practice 1Look at the chart. Use be + going to + a base form verb to describe the vacation plans of the people below.

Person Future Plan

Mr. Jones watch a parade

Mrs. Jones take photographs

Mr. and Mrs. Jones see famous places

You ???

Example:

Mr. Jones ________________ a parade.is going to watch

Negative StatementsTo make a negative sentence, place not before going to.

She is not going to go to the zoo.

They are not going to take a bus.

Contractions

Use contractions in speaking and informal writing.

The concert’s going to start soon.

We aren’t going to buy souvenirs.

Pronunciation

In speaking only, we sometimes pronounce going to as “gonna.” Never write “gonna.”

We’re gonna be late.gonnaDon’t worry. The

plane is gonna leave soon.gonna

= going to

Use “gonna” in conversation only.

Practice 2Work with a partner. Make affirmative and negative statements about your plans. Use contractions.

1. tonight

2. tomorrow

3. this afternoon

4. next week

5. next year

cook watch TV visit listen

study work clean travel

play exercise fix stay

Example: watch TV / exercise / tonight

I’m going to watch TV tonight.

I’m not going to exercise.