Going To: Plans
I can describe an intention already decided before speaking.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
Yesterday, Mina decided to visit her aunt this weekend. Today she says, “I’m going to visit my aunt on Saturday.” Her friend asks, “Are you going to stay overnight?”
Read the situation transcript
Yesterday, Mina decided to visit her aunt this weekend. Today she says, “I’m going to visit my aunt on Saturday.” Her friend asks, “Are you going to stay overnight?”
Was Mina’s plan made before this conversation?
Compare your idea
Yes. She decided yesterday and is explaining the plan now.
How it works
Use am/is/are going to plus a base verb for a plan or intention already in mind. The form of be changes with the subject; going to does not.
Make a negative with not after be. In a question, move be before the subject: Are you going to travel? A plan is an intention, not a guarantee that everything will happen.
Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb.
Notice this
I’m going to visit my aunt.
This is an existing intention.
Compare this
She’s going to take the train.
She takes is.
Hear the examples
I’m going to visit my aunt.
This is an existing intention.
She’s going to take the train.
She takes is.
We aren’t going to stay overnight.
This gives a negative plan.
Are they going to leave early?
This asks about the plan.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: I going to visit her.
Say: I’m going to visit her.
Include am before going to.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Say one plan you already have.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I’m going to cook dinner tonight.
Check yourself: Choose an intention already in mind.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Say what you do not plan to do.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I’m not going to go out.
Check yourself: Put not after am.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Ask someone about a weekend intention.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Are you going to visit anyone this weekend?
Check yourself: Move are before you.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Complete: He ___ going to study tonight.
Compare a model and explanation
He is going to study tonight.
He takes is.
Self-check 2
Make a question: They are going to travel.
Compare a model and explanation
Are they going to travel?
Move are before they.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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I ___ going to call her tonight.
am: I takes am in the going to form.
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She is going to ___ by train.
travel: Use a base verb after going to.
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___ you going to stay here?
Are: Move are before you to ask about the plan.
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Which sentence states an existing intention?
I’m going to learn Italian.: Going to presents a plan in this context.
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Choose the correct negative.
We aren’t going to leave early.: Use aren’t and keep going to.
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Correct “He going to cook.”
He is going to cook.: Include is and use cook after to.
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Does a plan guarantee the future outcome?
No: A stated intention can still change.
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What is the speaker planning to do?
Visit a friend: The recording states the intention to visit a friend.
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Choose a question about their plan.
What are they going to do?: Put are before they after the question word.
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Which part changes with I, she and they?
Am/is/are: Subject agreement appears in be, not in going to.
Take it with you
I can describe an intention already decided before speaking.