Future simple (going to) - Level II

The future simple tense is one of the twelve verb tenses that exist in English. It is an easy tense to grasp, but as there are several ways to express future intent, students should know the differences between each method.

In this post we will learn the future simple at level II, so the explanation is in English and the examples shown have an intermediate difficulty.

Uses of the future simple (going to)

We use the future simple for:

1. Expressing specific future plans made well before the moment of speaking of them,

• I’m going to ask Sarah to marry me under the aurora borealis next week.
• My parents are going to board a cruise ship this summer to celebrate their 30 years of marriage.
• I think Amanda and Lara are going to participate in the university’s archaeologic expedition.
• Ariel is going to start a coocking competition in order to raise funds for a charity event.

2. Predictions based on current reality events

• Look at the clouds, it is clear it’s going to rain at some point today.
• Santa Claus is not going to bring you any presents this Christmas if you misbehave.
• She’s going to walk to the bathroom sooner rather than later with all the water she’s drank.
• We are going to expand our library because there is no more space left at home.

Structure of the future simple with be going to

Affirmative sentences

Subject + auxiliary verb ‘to be’ + going to + main verb (base form) + rest of the sentence

• I am going to start studying medicine in honour of my late grandfather.
• Cain is going to kill his brother if his offering is accepted while his is refused.
• It’s going to be hard to pass the next History exam with what’s been going on in the class.
• The Greek pantheon is going to be bothered that not many people worship them today.

Note: We usually use a contraction ‘gonna’ when using a more colloquial register, as well as the known contractions for the auxiliary verb ‘to be’.

• I am going to get you. = I’m gonna get you.
• They are going to tell her a few things. = They’re gonna tell her a few things.

Negative sentences

Subject + auxiliary verb ‘to be’ + not + going to + main verb (base form) + rest of the sentence

• I am not going to start studying medicine in honour of my late grandfather.
• Cain is not going to kill his brother if his offering is accepted while his is refused.
• It’s not going to be hard to pass the next History exam with what’s been going on in the class.
• The Greek pantheon isn’t going to be bothered that not many people worship them today.

Interrogative sentences

Auxiliary verb ‘to be’ + subject + going to + main verb (base form) + rest of the sentence + ?

• Am I going to start studying medicine in honour of my late grandfather?
• Is Cain going to kill his brother if his offering is accepted while his is refused?
• Is it going to be hard to pass the next History exam with what’s been going on in the class?
• Is the Greek pantheon going to be bothered that not many people worship them in today?