Going to
Going to: present continuous
We use the present continuous form of the verb go + preposition to + noun phrase to talk about movement in relation to a place or a person in the present:
- Are you going to Maggie’s party tonight?
- I’m going to the shops. Do you want anything?
Going to: future
We can use a present form of be + going to + the base form of a main verb to talk about the future. We use it for plans and intentions, predictions and commands:
- I’m going to buy a new car next week. (plan or intention)
- You’re not going to do all this in an hour. There’s just too much to do. (prediction: the speaker can see how much there is to do)
- I’m telling you, you’re going to do it. You don’t have a choice. (command)
Was going to
We use a past form of be + going to when we talk about a plan we had that may have changed.
Compare
| A: You’re not staying out in this rain, are you?B: Well I am going to, yes. | B definitely intends to stay out in the rain. |
| A: You’re not staying out in this rain, are you?B: Well I was going to, yes. | B intended to stay out but may have changed his mind. |
See also
- Modality: introduction
- Will
- Gonna (informal contexts)
- Commands and instructions
- Future