Going to: how to talk about plans

Short answer: Use am, is or are plus going to and the plain verb for plans and for things you can see coming: I am going to visit Hoi An. Look at the clouds! It is going to rain. Do not leave out am, is or are, and use the plain verb after to. Ask with Are you going to...?

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At a glance

In short

• am / is / are + going to + the plain action word.
• Use it for plans and for things we can see coming.
• Do not leave out am, is or are.

What is the rule for “Plans: am / is / are going to”?

The rule

am / is / are + going to + the plain action word.

How it looks

I am going to · he / she / it is going to · you / we / they are going to

What it means

It tells a plan, or what we can see is about to happen.

When to use it

Use it for plans (this weekend) and for clear signs (Look at the clouds!).

How it works

• Use going to when you have already decided, or when you see signs.
• Build it: subject + am, is or are + going to + plain verb.
• The short form in speech is gonna, but write going to.
• Use time words: tomorrow, next week, this weekend.

Examples of “Plans: am / is / are going to”

• She is going to visit Hoi An.
  she + is.
• They are going to swim.
  they + are.
• Look! It is going to rain.
  We can see the clouds.
• Are you going to play?
  Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
• We are going to have a picnic on Sunday.
  A plan made before.
• I am not going to be late.
  Negative: am not going to.
• Look at the sky! It is going to snow.
  We see a sign.
• Are they going to come?
  Question: Are + subject + going to + plain verb.

Common mistakes with “Plans: am / is / are going to”

• I going to visit Grandma. → I am going to visit Grandma.
  We need am, is or are.
• She is going to visits. → She is going to visit.
  After to use the plain action word.
• We going to play. → We are going to play.
  we goes with are.
• She going to cook. → She is going to cook.
  Do not leave out is.
• We are going to played. → We are going to play.
  After to, use the plain verb.

Exceptions: watch out

• going to go
  You can say I am going to go. It is right, but many people just say I am going.

Going to and the present continuous

Both can talk about the future. Going to is for plans and signs. The present continuous is for fixed arrangements with a time.

See also: Future: will and won't

Check yourself

1. Fill the gap: “They ___ going to swim.”
   Show the answer

   are they takes are.

2. Make a plan: “I / visit / Grandma”
   Show the answer

   I am going to visit Grandma. am going to + plain verb.

3. Fix: “He going to sleep.”
   Show the answer

   He is going to sleep. Do not leave out is.

How to practice “Plans: am / is / are going to”

The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.

• Practice lesson: Plans: be going to

Questions

What does “gonna” mean?

It is a spoken short form of going to. Use going to in writing.

Can I say “I am going to go”?

Yes. Many people say I am going to go or just I am going.

Is it the same as “will”?

No. Going to is for a plan or a sign. Will is for decisions made now, promises and predictions.

More Grammar in Context rules

• The best: comparing three or more: To say which one is number one, use the + -est, or the most for long words.
• Future: will and won't: will talks about the future. After will, use the plain action word.
• Telling a story: first, then, next, finally: Order words put the steps of a story in order. Keep the whole story in the past.
• when and if: when tells the time. if tells what must happen first. After if, use the present for the future.
• Polite talk: Can I …? Would you like …?: Ask with Can I have … , please? Offer with Would you like …? Answer with Yes, please or No, thank you.
• always, usually, sometimes, never: Words like always and never tell how often. They go before the action word but after am / is / are.

Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G4: Grammar in Context. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.

Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.

Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30

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