Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 3: Using "be going to" for Future Plans

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2

Using "be going to" for Future Plans

Listen to the examples and dialogue here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use the "be going to" structure to talk about your future plans and intentions.

Talking About Your Weekend Plans 💬

When we have a plan or an intention to do something in the future, we often use the phrase "be going to". Let's look at a conversation about the upcoming weekend.

Sophea: What are you going to do this weekend?

Vanna: On Saturday, I'm going to visit my grandparents.

Sophea: That sounds nice. What about Sunday?

Vanna: On Sunday, my family and I are going to have a special lunch. My sister is going to cook!

The "be going to" Formula

Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Example: I am going to eat.

Pronunciation & Sentence Patterns

🗣️ Pronunciation Focus: The "Gonna" Reduction

In fast, informal speech, native speakers almost always reduce "going to" to "gonna" /ɡənə/. Using "gonna" will make you sound much more natural and fluent. Click 🔊 to hear the difference.

• "I am going to visit..." becomes "I'm gonna visit..."
• "She is going to cook..." becomes "She's gonna cook..."
• "What are you going to do?" becomes "What are you gonna do?"

Remember: "Gonna" is very common in speaking, but you should always write "going to" in formal writing like an essay or email.

💡 Structure: Positives, Negatives & Questions

The structure for "be going to" uses the verb 'to be' (am/is/are), which makes negatives and questions easy. Click 🔊 to hear the examples.

Positive (+)

• I am going to study tonight.

Negative (-)

• I'm not going to watch TV.

Question (?)

• Are you going to visit the market?
  (Short Answer: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.)

Practice Your Future Plans 🎯

Activity 1: Complete the Sentences (Self-Check)

Complete the sentences with the correct form of "be going to" and the verb in parentheses. Type your answer and click the "Show Answer" button.

1. Tomorrow, I ______________ my homework. (finish)

2. She ______________ her friend at a café. (meet)

3. We ______________ a movie tonight. (not / watch)

4. ______ he ______ a new shirt? (buy)

Activity 2: Rephrase with "Gonna" (Self-Check)

Read the full sentence. Click 🔊 to hear it. Then, click "Show 'Gonna' Version" to see and hear the natural reduction.

I am going to eat lunch.

Show 'Gonna' Version

"I'm gonna eat lunch."

What are you going to do?

Show 'Gonna' Version

"What are you gonna do?"

They are going to travel soon.

Show 'Gonna' Version

"They're gonna travel soon."

Activity 3: Weekend Interview

Work with a partner or practice asking yourself. Ask about plans for the weekend using "Are you going to...?".

Example questions: "Are you gonna see your family?" | "Are you gonna study?"

Key Vocabulary

• Future Plans | ផែនការអនាគត
  Decisions you have made about what you will do in the future.
• Intention | បំណង
  Something that you want and plan to do.
• be going to | នឹង
  A grammar structure used to talk about future plans. (Pronounced "gonna" /ˈɡənə/ in fast speech).
• Weekend | ចុងសប្តាហ៍
  Saturday and Sunday.
• Grandparents | ជីដូនជីតា
  Your mother's or father's parents.
• Cook | ចំអិន
  To prepare food by heating it.

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to talk about your real future plans.

Tell a friend or your teacher two things you plan to do tomorrow. Use the "I'm going to..." structure. Try to use the "gonna" pronunciation to sound natural!

Example: "Tomorrow, I'm gonna go to the market. Then, I'm gonna study English."