The Future with "Be Going To"

In English, there are many ways of expressing future time. One of the most common is the "be going to" constructon. This page will explain how to form the future with "be going to", and what the main meaning of this construction is.

How to form "be going to" sentences

To make a verb form with "be going to", you first put "be" into the correct form to agree with the subject, and then add "going to" + the simple form of the verb. Note also that "be" is often shortened. This table lists the main forms:

Subject	Statement	Question	Negative
I	I am going to leave. I'm going to leave.	Am I going to leave?	I am not going to leave. I'm not going to leave.
You	You are going to leave. You're going to leave.	Are you going to leave?	You are not going to leave. You aren't going to leave. You're not going to leave.
He	He is going to leave. He's going to leave.	Is he going to leave?	He is not going to leave. He's not going to leave. He isn't going to leave.
She	She is going to leave. She's going to leave.	Is she going to leave?	She is not going to leave. She's not going to leave. She isn't going to leave.
It	It is going to leave. It's going to leave.	Is it going to leave?	It is not going to leave. It's not going to leave. It isn't going to leave.
We	We are going to leave. We're going to leave.	Are we going to leave?	We are not going to leave. We're not going to leave. We aren't going to leave.
They	They are going to leave. They're going to leave.	Are they going to leave?	They are not going to leave. They're not going to leave. They aren't going to leave.

The meaning of "be going to" future forms

"Be going to" is usually used when something is already planned or definite. Look at the difference between these sentences:

I'll make the supper.

(Making a decision/volunteering to do something.)

I'm going to make the supper.

(This is already planned and organized.)