Grammar: A2 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: ⏳ Past & Future Tenses (Basics) - Lesson 8: Future with "going to" (Plans & Intentions) - Affirmative, Negative, Question

✨ Lesson 8: Future with "going to" (Plans & Intentions)

We have learned to use the Present Continuous for future arrangements. Today, we will learn another very common way to talk about the future¹: using the phrase be going to.

We use "be going to" to talk about our plans² and intentions³. An intention is something you have decided to do in the future.

The Structure: 'be' + going to + Verb

The structure always has three parts: the verb 'to be' (am, is, are), the phrase 'going to', and the base form of the main verb.

Affirmative (+) Statements
Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + [Base Verb]...

• I am going to visit the temples next month.
• She is going to cook dinner for us tonight.
• They are going to watch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng.

Negative (-) Statements
Structure: Subject + am not/isn't/aren't + going to + [Base Verb]...

• I'm not going to go to the market tomorrow.
• He isn't going to buy a new moto.

Questions (?) and Short Answers
Structure: Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + [Base Verb]...?

• Are you going to see a traditional dance show? → Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
• Is he going to apply for the job? → Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.

'Present Continuous' vs. 'be going to'
What's the difference between "I'm meeting Dara tonight" and "I'm going to meet Dara tonight"?

• Present Continuous is best for fixed arrangements (like an appointment).
• Be Going To is best for intentions and plans.
• Often, the meaning is very similar and you can use either one!

🧠 Practice Quiz: Build the Sentence

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence or question.

1. ( I / to / am / study / going / tonight )
   → I am going to study tonight.
2. ( not / She / going / is / to / come )
   → She is not going to come. (or She isn't...)
3. ( they / Are / to / visit / going / the museum )?
   → Are they going to visit the museum?

📝 Homework: What Are Your Plans?

Write three sentences about your own plans or intentions for this week or this month. Use "be going to".

Example: I am going to call my friend tonight. I am not going to watch a movie. Are you going to go to the market?

---

1: ___________________________________

2: ___________________________________

3: ___________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Future: (Noun) - អនាគត (â'nĕa'kôt) - The time that will come after the present. ↩
2. Plan: (Noun) - ផែនការ (phaen'kaa) - A decision about what you are going to do in the future. ↩
3. Intention: (Noun) - បំណង (bâmnâng) - Something that you want and plan to do. ↩