25. The Future Tense
[7/14/2009 08:18:00 PM | ]

THE FUTURE TENSE: Be Going To

Use be + going to to talk about the future in general. Specifically, you can use be + going to to talk about plans that were made before the moment of speaking.

Positive and Negative Statements

Subject + be + going to + verb (base form)

Tom is going to go to college.

Subject + be + not + going to + verb (base form)

Tom is not going to get a job.


Yes/No Questions and Questions with Question Words

Be + subject + going to + verb (base form)?

Is Tom going to go to college?

Question word + be + subject + going to + verb (base form)?

Where is Tom going to go to school?



Grammar

THE FUTURE TENSE

be + going to

* used to talk about the future in general

* used to talk about future plans made before the time of speaking

I'm going to leave for Hawaii next week.
She's not going to work tomorrow.
Is he going to come to the party next week?
When are you going to leave for Boston?

will

* used to talk about the future in general

* used to talk about something you decide to do at the moment of speaking

I'll pay for lunch.
She won't be home until tomorrow.
Will you visit us?
When will your plane arrive?