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Expanded Objective of This Page:
The expanded objective of this page is now to enable you to masterfully use “going to” + verb in any context, including expressing future plans, making predictions, and planning actions, as well as reflecting on past intentions and predictions using the past tense of “going to.” Through the engaging stories of Maya, Liam, and Elena, you’ll learn to navigate through time, discussing both what was intended to happen and what actually happened. Our journey through the English language just got even more exciting as we explore the many facets of talking about the future and the past!
Functions of “Going to” + Verb (Including Past Tense):
1. Expressing Future Intentions: Talking about plans or decisions made for the future.
| Order | Situation | Plan: | Future Intention: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Study Plans: | I am going to study abroad in France | next year to improve my French. |
| 2. | Career Moves: | He is going to apply for a promotion | as soon as the position becomes available. |
| 3. | Health Goals: | She is going to start a yoga class | next week to improve her flexibility and reduce stress. |
| 4. | Travel Dreams: | We are going to take a road trip across the country | this summer to see as many national parks as we can. |
| 5. | Home Improvements: | They are going to renovate their kitchen | in the spring to make it more modern and functional. |
| 6. | Educational Goals: | I am going to enroll in an online course | on digital marketing to enhance my skills. |
| 7. | Financial Planning: | He is going to start saving money | each month to buy a new car by the end of the year. |
| 8. | Lifestyle Changes: | She is going to become a vegetarian | to lead a healthier lifestyle. |
| 9. | Hobby Pursuits: | We are going to learn how to play the guitar together | it’s something we both want to do. |
| 10. | Social Plans: | They are going to host a family reunion at their house | next month to celebrate their grandparents’ anniversary. |
2. Making Future Predictions: Describing future outcomes based on present evidence.
| Order | Sittuation | Describing the Future | Present Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Weather Forecast: | It’s going to rain tonight | because the sky is very dark. |
| 2. | Exam Results: | She is going to ace her exams | because she is studying non-stop. |
| 3. | Sports Game: | They are going to win the match | *they’ve been the top team all season. |
| 4. | Work Project: | We are going to meet our sales targets this quarter | our numbers have been strong. |
| 5. | Garden Growth: | His tomatoes are going to grow well this summer | he’s taken great care of them. |
| 6. | Traffic Conditions: | I am going to be late to the meeting | there’s heavy traffic on my route. |
| 7. | Health Improvement: | He is going to feel better soon | he’s finally getting some rest. |
| 8. | Movie Success: | That movie is going to be a hit | everyone’s talking about it. |
| 9. | Technology Adoption: | Everyone is going to use electric cars in the future | they’re becoming more affordable. |
| 10. | Education Trend: | Online learning is going to become even more popular | it’s so convenient and effective. |
Click for the present perfect they’ve been the top team all season.
Planning Future Actions: Outlining actions intended to be taken in the future.
| Order | Sittuation | Action In the Future | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Weekend Plans: | I am going to visit my family this weekend | because I miss them. |
| 2. | Dinner Preparation: | She is going to cook pasta tonight | since it’s her favorite dish. |
| 3. | Morning Routine: | He is going to start running every morning | to stay healthy. |
| 4. | Vacation Booking: | We are going to book our trip to Greece | as soon as we find a good deal. |
| 5. | Study Session: | They are going to study together | for their final exams to ensure they all pass. |
| 6. | Career Development: | I am going to take a professional development course | to enhance my skills. |
| 7. | Health Commitment: | She is going to drink more water daily | to stay hydrated. |
| 8. | Hobby Time: | He is going to spend more time on his painting hobby | Because it relaxes him. |
| 9. | Social Engagement: | We are going to organize a community cleanup next month | to help our neighborhood. |
| 10. | Personal Project: | They are going to build a treehouse | for their kids this summer. |
Introduction to the Past Tense of “Going to”:
When we talk about plans, intentions, or predictions that were made in the past, we use the past tense of “going to.” This involves using “was going to” or “were going to” followed by the base form of the verb. It allows us to reflect on what we or others had planned or predicted to do in the past.
For example:
- Maya: “I was going to document our trip, but I decided to focus on the environmental aspects instead.”
- Liam: “We were going to visit 5 countries, but we ended up exploring 8!”
- Elena: “I was going to learn Mandarin during our trip to Asia. Now, I can have basic conversations!”
Discussing Past Intentions: Reflecting on plans or decisions that were made for the future but have already occurred.
| Order | Sittuation | Plans Made for the Future | Reflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Study Abroad: | I was going to study in Spain last year, | but then the travel restrictions came into effect. |
| 2. | Career Change: | He was going to switch jobs in April, | but he received an unexpected promotion at his current job. |
| 3. | Health Resolution: | She was going to start a keto diet in January, | but found it too restrictive and chose a balanced diet instead. |
| 4. | Travel Plans: | We were going to travel around Asia this summer, | but decided to save money for a house instead. |
| 5. | Education Continuation: | They were going to take a gap year before college, | but the pandemic made them start their studies online immediately. |
| 6. | Fitness Goal: | I was going to run a marathon this spring, | but I injured my knee during training. |
| 7. | Volunteer Work: | She was going to volunteer at the local animal shelter, | but it had to close temporarily. |
| 8. | Creative Project: | He was going to write his first novel during *NaNoWriMo, | but work got too busy. |
| 9. | Social Event: | We were going to host a big anniversary party, | but we opted for a small gathering due to health concerns. |
| 10. | Investment Plans: | They were going to invest in some startup companies, | but decided to wait due to the uncertain economic climate. |
*NaNoWriMo
stands for National Novel Writing Month, a creative writing event that takes place every November. Participants aim to write a 50,000-word manuscript between November 1st and November 30th.
Reflecting on Past Predictions: Considering predictions made about the future to see if they came true or not.
| Order | Sittuation | Considering Prediction | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Weather Forecast: | We were going to cancel the picnic | because we thought it was going to rain, but the weather stayed clear. |
| 2. | Sports Outcome: | I was going to bet on the other team | because I thought they were going to win, but I’m glad I didn’t; they lost. |
| 3. | Exam Results: | She was going to celebrate passing her exams | she was sure she was going to ace them, and she did! |
| 4. | Job Interview: | He was nervous and thought he wasn’t going to get the job | but his prediction was wrong. He got the offer! |
| 5. | Stock Market: | They were going to invest in certain stocks, predicting a rise in value. | Unfortunately, the stocks didn’t perform as expected. |
| 6. | Technology Trends: | I thought electric cars were going to be mainstream by now. | My prediction was right; they’re everywhere. |
| 7. | Movie Success: | We were going to watch that film, expecting it to be a hit. | Turns out, it flopped at the box office. |
| 8. | Travel Plans: | She was going to postpone her trip, thinking travel restrictions wouldn’t lift. | She regretted it when they did. |
| 9. | Fitness Goals: | He was going to lose 10 pounds by summer. | He worked hard and ended up losing 15! |
| 10. | Economic Forecast: | They were going to sell their house, expecting the market to crash. | It didn’t, and house prices actually went up. |
