The phrase “going to” is one of the most common and useful ways to talk about the future in English. It is especially important for expressing plans, intentions, and predictions based on present evidence. Understanding how and when to use “going to” will help learners speak more naturally and clearly about what they plan to do.
1. Basic Structure of “Going To”
The structure of “going to” is:
Subject + be (am / is / are) + going to + base verb
Examples:
- I am going to study tonight.
- She is going to visit her grandmother.
- They are going to play basketball after school.
Notice that:
- The verb “be” changes depending on the subject.
- The main verb stays in its base form (no -ing, no past tense).
2. Using “Going To” for Future Plans
One of the main uses of “going to” is to talk about plans that have already been decided before the moment of speaking.
Key idea:
👉 A plan = something you decided earlier.
Examples:
- I am going to start a new book tonight.
- We are going to travel to Osaka next month.
- He is going to join the basketball team this year.
These sentences show that the speaker has already made a decision.
Compare:
- “I will study tonight.” (decision made now)
- “I am going to study tonight.” (decision made earlier)
3. Using “Going To” for Intentions
“Going to” is also used to express intentions, which are things you want or intend to do in the future, even if they are not fully planned yet.
Key idea:
👉 An intention = something you want to do.
Examples:
- I am going to learn English this year.
- She is going to save money for a new phone.
- They are going to practice every day.
Even if the plan is not detailed, the intention is clear.
4. Using “Going To” for Predictions (Based on Evidence)
“Going to” can also be used to make predictions about the future, especially when there is present evidence.
Key idea:
👉 You can see something now that makes the future likely.
Examples:
- Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
- He is very tired. He is going to fall asleep soon.
- That team is playing well. They are going to win.
In these cases, the speaker is not guessing randomly—the prediction is based on what they can see or know.
5. Negative Form of “Going To”
To make negative sentences, add “not” after the verb “be”:
Subject + be + not + going to + base verb
Examples:
- I am not going to go out tonight.
- She is not going to eat that food.
- They are not going to play today.
Contractions (very common in spoken English):
- am not → (no contraction: “I’m not”)
- is not → isn’t
- are not → aren’t
Examples:
- I’m not going to study tonight.
- He isn’t going to come.
- We aren’t going to watch the game.
6. Questions with “Going To”
To make questions, change the word order:
Be + subject + going to + base verb?
Examples:
- Are you going to study tonight?
- Is she going to visit her friend?
- Are they going to play basketball?
Short Answers:
- Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
- Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
- Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
7. Time Expressions with “Going To”
“Going to” is often used with future time expressions such as:
- tonight
- tomorrow
- next week
- next month
- soon
- later
Examples:
- I am going to study tomorrow.
- We are going to travel next week.
- She is going to call you later.
These words help make the future meaning clearer.
8. Common Mistakes with “Going To”
Mistake 1: Forgetting the verb “be”
❌ I going to study.
✅ I am going to study.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong verb form
❌ I am going to studying.
✅ I am going to study.
Mistake 3: Mixing with “will”
❌ I will going to study.
✅ I will study.
✅ I am going to study.
9. “Going To” vs “Will”
This is one of the most important comparisons in English.
“Going to” = planned or decided before speaking
- I am going to start exercising next week.
“Will” = decision made at the moment of speaking
- “I’m tired.”
- “Okay, I will help you.”
More examples:
Before speaking (plan):
- We are going to watch a movie tonight.
At the moment (decision):
- “What do you want to do?”
- “I will watch a movie.”
10. Real-Life Conversation Examples
Example 1: Talking about plans
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I am going to visit my grandparents.
Example 2: Talking about intentions
A: Why are you saving money?
B: I am going to buy a new phone.
Example 3: Making predictions
A: Look at the sky!
B: Yes, it is going to rain soon.
11. Short Story Using “Going To”
Here is a short story to show how “going to” is used naturally:
Ken is excited because he is going to start high school next week. He is going to join the basketball team because he loves sports. His friends are going to study together after school, and they are going to help each other with homework. Ken thinks it is going to be a great year.
This story shows:
- plans (start school, join a team)
- intentions (study together)
- predictions (it is going to be a great year)
12. Spoken English: “Gonna”
In casual spoken English, “going to” is often pronounced as “gonna.”
Examples:
- I’m gonna study tonight.
- She’s gonna call you later.
- We’re gonna win the game.
⚠️ Important:
- “Gonna” is informal.
- Do not use it in writing (especially in school or tests).
13. Why “Going To” Is Important
“Going to” is essential because it:
- Helps you talk about future plans clearly
- Shows intentions and goals
- Allows you to make logical predictions
- Is very common in daily conversation
14. Summary
“Going to” is used to talk about the future in three main ways:
- Plans (decided before speaking)
- I am going to study tonight.
- Intentions (things you want to do)
- She is going to learn English.
- Predictions with evidence
- It is going to rain.
Structure:
- Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb
Key tip:
👉 Use “going to” when the idea is already in your mind before you speak.
以下は上記の内容の日本語訳です：
「going to」の使い方（未来の計画・意図）
「going to」は、英語で未来について話すときにとてもよく使われる表現です。特に、計画・意図・現在の状況からの予測を表すときに使われます。この表現を理解すると、自分の予定や将来について自然に話せるようになります。
1. 「going to」の基本構造
主語 + be動詞（am / is / are）+ going to + 動詞の原形
例：
- I am going to study tonight.
（私は今夜勉強する予定です。） - She is going to visit her grandmother.
（彼女は祖母を訪ねる予定です。） - They are going to play basketball.
（彼らはバスケットボールをする予定です。）
ポイント：
- be動詞は主語によって変わる
- 動詞は必ず原形を使う
2. 未来の計画を表す「going to」
「going to」は、話す前にすでに決めている計画を表します。
👉 計画＝すでに決めたこと
例：
- I am going to start a new book tonight.
（今夜、新しい本を読み始める予定です。） - We are going to travel to Osaka next month.
（来月、大阪に旅行する予定です。） - He is going to join the basketball team.
（彼はバスケットボールチームに入る予定です。）
比較：
- I will study tonight.（今決めた）
- I am going to study tonight.（前から決めていた）
3. 意図（〜するつもり）を表す
「going to」は、**これからやろうと思っていること（意図）**にも使います。
👉 意図＝やりたいと思っていること
例：
- I am going to learn English this year.
（今年は英語を勉強するつもりです。） - She is going to save money.
（彼女はお金を貯めるつもりです。） - They are going to practice every day.
（彼らは毎日練習するつもりです。）
4. 根拠のある予測
「going to」は、現在の状況から予測できる未来にも使います。
👉 今の状況から「そうなりそう」と分かる
例：
- Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
（あの雲を見て！雨が降りそうだ。） - He is very tired. He is going to fall asleep.
（彼はとても疲れている。寝てしまいそうだ。） - They are playing well. They are going to win.
（彼らはいいプレーをしている。勝ちそうだ。）
5. 否定文
主語 + be動詞 + not + going to + 動詞の原形
例：
- I am not going to go out tonight.
（今夜は出かけない予定です。） - She is not going to eat that.
（彼女はそれを食べるつもりはありません。） - They are not going to play today.
（彼らは今日はプレーしない予定です。）
短縮形：
- I’m not
- isn’t
- aren’t
6. 疑問文
be動詞 + 主語 + going to + 動詞の原形？
例：
- Are you going to study tonight?
（今夜勉強する予定ですか？） - Is she going to come?
（彼女は来る予定ですか？） - Are they going to play?
（彼らはプレーする予定ですか？）
短い答え：
- Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
- Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
7. よく使う時間表現
- tonight（今夜）
- tomorrow（明日）
- next week（来週）
- soon（すぐに）
- later（後で）
例：
- I am going to study tomorrow.
（明日勉強する予定です。）
8. よくある間違い
❌ I going to study.
→ ✅ I am going to study
❌ I am going to studying.
→ ✅ I am going to study
❌ I will going to study.
→ ✅ I will study / I am going to study
9. 「going to」と「will」の違い
going to：
👉 前から決めている
- I am going to exercise.
（運動する予定です。）
will：
👉 今決めた
- I will help you.
（今助けると決めた）
10. 会話例
A: What are you doing this weekend?
（週末何するの？）
B: I am going to visit my grandparents.
（祖父母に会いに行く予定です。）
11. 短いストーリー
ケンは来週高校を始めるのでワクワクしています。彼はバスケットボールが好きなので、チームに入る予定です。友達と一緒に勉強するつもりで、お互いに助け合う予定です。ケンは今年が素晴らしい年になると思っています。
12. カジュアル表現「gonna」
会話では「going to」は「gonna」と発音されることがあります。
- I’m gonna study.
⚠️ 注意：
- カジュアルな会話のみ
- 書き言葉では使わない
13. まとめ
「going to」は次の3つに使う：
- 計画
- 意図
- 根拠のある予測
形：
主語 + am/is/are + going to + 動詞の原形
👉 ポイント：話す前に決まっている未来に使う
