Page 42 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

Going to

We use going to

1. when we talk about our future plans or something that we intend to do in
the future. For example,
• We are going to shift into our new house next year.

2. when we know that something is going to happen in the future because there is
an indication in the present that the event might take place. For example,
• Look at her. She is going to laugh out loud in the middle of her speech!

Remember

Will versus Going to
Will expresses general predictions about the future.
Going to is used for predictions that we know will come true because there are
traces of the future event in the present.

Note

We also use the present continuous tense and the simple present tense to talk about
the future. Let us see how.
We use the present continuous tense to refer to something that we might have
planned for the immediate future and when we know that the action WILL take place.
For example,
• My mum is arriving by the 9 o’clock train tonight.
We use the simple present tense to refer to programmes or timetables. For example,
• Our train arrives at 9 p.m.

• The film gets over at 7:30 this evening.

M. Use the correct form of the verbs in the brackets to complete the sentences.
1. A: Why are you still holding the letter?

B: I (write) a reply to my friends back home. (will/going to)

2. A: I’m about to fall asleep. I need to wake up!

B: I (get) you a cup of black coffee. That will wake you up.
(will/going to)

3. A: I can’t see the television!

B: I (get) your glasses so that you can see it. (will/going to)

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