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Understanding Going-to-Future tense: Formation, usage and example sentences

The tense Going-to-future is simpler to understand than you might initially believe. We'll go over how to say something that is planned to occur in the future in English. We can help you learn the English future tense. We provide thorough explanations of the going-to future tense's construction as well as when to use it.

On this page you will find

» Formation of the going-to-future tense
» Use of going-to-future tense
» Example sentences going-to-future tense
» Signal words for going-to-future tense

The formation of the going-to-future tense

You must master a specific rule in order to correctly form the going-to-future tense, which has a special structure. It is very simple to comprehend, and all you have to do is use it as a formula. See here for the going-to-future tense rule:

Subject + form of the verb "to be" + going to + full verb.

Fortunately, the going-to future tense does not have any exceptions or irregularities. You can understand how to construct English sentences in the going-to future tense by simply learning the rules for doing so and using them to create a few sentences on your own. To better understand how to create this future tense, look at the following examples of sentences in the going-to-future tense. You can recognize the going-to-future tense rule in English sentences by looking for the bold areas in the example sentences.

Example sentences for the formation of going-to-future tense

I am going to watch a movie tonight.
They are going to cook dinner together.
She is going to meet her friends at the park.
We are going to study for our exam tomorrow.
He is going to play soccer with his team this weekend.
You are going to read a book before bed.
The company is going to launch a new product next month.
They are going to travel to Europe next summer.
She is going to buy a new car soon.
We are going to learn how to play the guitar.

The use of going-to-future tense

Every time you want to discuss a future event in English, you use the going-to-future tense. The going-to-future tense is typically used to describe future plans or intentions. These goals and intentions are already firmly planned and have been made in the present. Therefore, the going-to-future tense is always used when actions, plans, or intentions have already been made and are already planned and thought out, as opposed to the will-future tense.

Always use the going-to-future tense for:

  • Plans for the future
  • Intentions for the future
  • Forecasts based on information in the present
  • Predictable events
  • Announcements that will take place in the future

Please feel free to look at the following example sentences to gain a better understanding of the going-to-future tense. These have been purposefully constructed to demonstrate the use of the going-to-future tense in a particularly understandable manner.

Explanation of going-to-future tense using example sentences

Example sentence Use
I will travel to Japan next year Future plan
We will move into a bigger flat this year Future plan
He will study harder to get better grades Future plan
From now on I will eat healthier Future plan
The clouds are getting darker. It looks like it's going to rain. Forecast
The car is going too fast. If it doesn't slow down, it will cause an accident. Prediction
The train leaves in five minutes. We will be late if we don't hurry. Predictable events
Next weekend we will have a party for her birthday. Prediction
Mike and Clara will need more time for this project. Announcement

Signal words for going-to-future tense

You should also take a look at some going-to future signal words to help you understand when to use this tense. You can use the extremely helpful English future tense with the aid of these signal words. Please be aware that you must use the will-future tense with some of the signal words.

A list of transitional words for the future tense is provided below, along with illustrative sentences.

Signal word Example
Intend I intend to study abroad next year.
Plan We are planning to visit our grandparents this summer.
Tomorrow I will clean my room later.
Next week/month/year She will start her new job next week.
Later He will finish his homework tonight.

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