Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 3
Using "be going to" for Future Plans
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 intention2 to do something in the future, we often use the phrase "be going to"3. It's perfect for talking about your future plans1.
Let's look at a conversation about the upcoming weekend:
Sophea: What are you going to do this weekend?
Vanna: On Saturday, I am going to visit my grandparents in the countryside.
Sophea: That sounds nice. What about Sunday?
Vanna: On Sunday, my family and I are going to have a special lunch together. My sister is going to cook!
The structure is: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb.
Key Grammar Terms
- Future Plans (Noun) | ផែនការអនាគត | Decisions you have made about what you will do in the future. ↩
- Intention (Noun) | បំណង | Something that you want and plan to do. ↩
- be going to (Verb Phrase) | នឹង | A grammar structure used to talk about future plans. ↩
Pronunciation Focus: The "Gonna" Reduction
In fast, informal speech, native speakers almost always reduce "going to" to "gonna". Using "gonna" will make you sound much more natural and fluent.
- "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?"
Important: "Gonna" is very common in speaking, but you should always write "going to" in formal writing like an essay.
Structure: Positives, Negatives & Questions
The structure for "be going to" uses the verb 'to be' (am/is/are), which makes negatives and questions easy.
Positive Statements
Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb
- I am going to study tonight.
- He is going to buy a new phone.
Negative Statements
Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb
- I'm not going to watch TV.
- They aren't going to come to the party.
Questions
Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + base verb?
- Are you going to visit the market? -> Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
- Is he going to call you later? -> Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Practice Your Future Plans
Activity 1: What Are Your Plans?
Complete the sentences about future plans using the correct form of "be going to" and the verb in parentheses.
- Tomorrow, I ______________ my homework. (finish) -> am going to finish
- She ______________ her friend at a café. (meet) -> is going to meet
- We ______________ a movie tonight. (not watch) -> are not going to watch / aren't going to watch
- ______ he ______ a new shirt? (buy) -> Is he going to buy
Activity 2: Rephrase with "Gonna"
Read the full sentence, then say it again using the natural "gonna" reduction.
- Sentence: I am going to eat lunch. -> You say: "I'm gonna eat lunch."
- Sentence: What are you going to do? -> You say: "What are you gonna do?"
Activity 3: Weekend Interview
Work with a partner. Ask them about their plans for the weekend. Ask at least three questions using "Are you going to...?". For example: "Are you going to see your family? Are you going to study? Are you going to go to the market?"
Your Grammar Mission
This week in Siem Reap, your mission is to talk about your real future plans.
Tell a friend or your teacher about two things you plan to do tomorrow. Use the "I'm going to..." structure. Try to use the "gonna" pronunciation to sound natural!