Going to: Planes e intenciones futuras
going to para los planes que ya hiciste o las predicciones basadas en lo que ves ahora.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'be going to' for plans you made before speaking and predictions based on clear evidence you can see right now.
- Use 'am/is/are' + 'going to' + base verb for plans (e.g., I am going to travel).
- Use it for predictions when you see evidence (e.g., Look at those clouds! It's going to rain).
- In negative sentences, put 'not' after the 'be' verb (e.g., They are not going to come).
Overview
I'm going to do that on Sunday? ¿O quizás estás viendo vuelos y susurrando: I am going to visit Tokyo next year? Si es así, ya estás usando una de las herramientas más esenciales del inglés.going to es la arquitecta de tu futuro. La usamos cuando tenemos un plan o una intención sólida. A diferencia de will, que parece un chispazo repentino, going to trata sobre cosas en las que ya has pensado.I'll have a coffee (decidiéndolo ahora mismo) e I'm going to meet a friend for coffee (el plan ya está en tu agenda). En esta guía, veremos cómo funciona este patrón en el mundo real, desde enviar mensajes de texto hasta planear tu próximo maratón de Netflix. Es amigable, común y es como la gente real habla de sus vidas.How This Grammar Works
going to es un puente. Un lado es el presente y el otro es el futuro. Este punto gramatical conecta ambos porque la semilla de la acción futura ya existe en el presente.be (am, is, are). También se usa para predicciones cuando vemos la evidencia claramente.He's going to fall! porque la evidencia es visible ahora mismo. No estás adivinando; estás informando hacia dónde va la situación actual. Es como ver la barra de carga de un video de YouTube: sabes lo que viene porque ves el progreso.
Formation Pattern
going to es como armar un sándwich. Necesitas capas específicas en orden:
be (am, is, are).
going to.
Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | I am going to travel. |
Voy a viajar. |
| Negative | She is not going to call. |
Ella no va a llamar. |
| Question | Are you going to help? |
¿Vas a ayudar? |
| Short Form | They're going to win. |
Van a ganar. |
Politeness Levels
- **Formal
** I am going to attend the meeting. (En correos o Zoom).
- **Informal
** I'm going to grab a burger. (Con amigos).
- **Casual
** I'm gonna watch a movie. (¡Solo al hablar o chatear!).
Memory Trick
Piensa en el Plan de 3 pasos: Be (estado) + Going (movimiento) + To [Verb] (destino). ¡Es el GPS de tu vida!
When To Use It
going to. Primero: Planes e Intenciones. Cosas decididas *antes* de hablar.I'm going to see Coldplay. Segundo: Predicciones con evidencia. Si ves que algo va a pasar.It's going to rain. No eres vidente, solo miras por la ventana. Tercero: Contexto social moderno.I'm going to post this on Instagram. En videojuegos: I'm going to heal you. Si lo ves venir o lo has pensado un poco, going to es tu opción.
Common Mistakes
be. No digas I going to eat, di I am going to eat. Otro error es usar la forma verbal incorrecta después de to. Usa siempre el infinitivo: I'm going to buy, no buying. Ten cuidado con will para planes. Si le dices a tu jefe I will go on holiday, suena como si acabaras de decidirlo ahora mismo. ¡Podría confundirse! Y con going to go, muchos nativos simplemente dicen I'm going to the store para ser más cortos.Contrast With Similar Patterns
Going to o will? En un restaurante: si decides al pedir, di I'll have the steak. (Espontáneo). Si llevas tres días mirando el menú online, di I'm going to have the steak. (Planeado).Quick FAQ
¿Puedo usar gonna en una entrevista?
Mejor no. Usa I am going to para sonar profesional.
¿Es correcto I'm going to go?
Sí, ¡perfecto! Pero I'm going to the store es más corto y común.
Conjugating 'Be Going To'
| Subject | Be Verb | Going To | Base Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
going to
|
work
|
I am going to work.
|
|
You
|
are
|
going to
|
work
|
You are going to work.
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
going to
|
work
|
She is going to work.
|
|
We
|
are
|
going to
|
work
|
We are going to work.
|
|
They
|
are
|
going to
|
work
|
They are going to work.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Informal (Spoken) |
|---|---|---|
|
I am going to
|
I'm going to
|
I'm gonna
|
|
You are going to
|
You're going to
|
You're gonna
|
|
He is going to
|
He's going to
|
He's gonna
|
|
We are going to
|
We're going to
|
We're gonna
|
|
They are going to
|
They're going to
|
They're gonna
|
Meanings
A verb construction used to express a person's intentions or plans for the future, or to predict something that is likely to happen based on present evidence.
Prior Plans
Decisions made before the moment of speaking.
“We are going to visit my grandmother on Saturday.”
“He is going to buy a new car next month.”
Predictions with Evidence
Predicting the future based on what we can see or feel right now.
“Watch out! That vase is going to fall!”
“I feel terrible; I think I'm going to be sick.”
Intentions
Expressing a goal or a desire to do something, even if the specific time isn't set.
“I'm going to be a doctor when I grow up.”
“She's going to learn how to play the guitar someday.”
Reference Table
| Sujeto | Afirmativo (+) | Negativo (-) | Pregunta (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
I am going to eat.
|
I am not going to eat.
|
Am I going to eat?
|
|
You
|
You are going to study.
|
You are not going to study.
|
Are you going to study?
|
|
He/She/It
|
He is going to work.
|
He is not going to work.
|
Is he going to work?
|
|
We
|
We are going to visit.
|
We are not going to visit.
|
Are we going to visit?
|
|
They
|
They are going to watch.
|
They are not going to watch.
|
Are they going to watch?
|
Espectro de formalidad
I am going to attend the scheduled meeting tomorrow. (Work/Social)
I'm going to go to the meeting tomorrow. (Work/Social)
I'm gonna be at the meeting tomorrow. (Work/Social)
I'm gonna hit up that meeting tomorrow. (Work/Social)
'Going To': Planes e Intenciones Futuras
Estructura
- Sujeto + BE I am, You are, She is
- + GOING TO Always 'going to'
- + Verbo Base eat, study, work
Usos
- Acciones Planeadas I'm going to travel.
- Intenciones She's going to apply.
- Predicciones Basadas en Evidencia It's going to rain.
Palabras Clave
- Mañana I'm going to see them tomorrow.
- Próxima semana/mes We're going to move next month.
- Pronto It's going to be ready soon.
'Going To' vs. 'Will' (para el futuro)
Eligiendo 'Going To' para el Futuro
¿Es un plan o una intención que ya has hecho?
¿Es una predicción basada en evidencia clara que ves ahora?
Cuándo usar 'Going To'
Planes de Fin de Semana
- • I'm going to hike.
- • We're going to watch a movie.
- • She's going to relax.
Metas Futuras
- • I'm going to learn French.
- • He's going to start a business.
- • They're going to save money.
Predicciones Inmediatas
- • It's going to break!
- • You're going to be late.
- • The food is going to burn.
Intenciones Negativas
- • I'm not going to eat that.
- • She's not going to come.
- • We're not going to buy it.
Ejemplos por nivel
I am going to sleep now.
I am going to sleep now.
She is going to cook dinner.
She is going to cook dinner.
They are going to play.
They are going to play.
Are you going to eat?
Are you going to eat?
We are going to visit London next summer.
We are going to visit London next summer.
It is going to rain soon; look at the sky.
It is going to rain soon; look at the sky.
I'm not going to watch that movie.
I'm not going to watch that movie.
Is he going to buy that phone?
Is he going to buy that phone?
I was going to call you, but my phone died.
I was going to call you, but my phone died.
They're going to have a hard time finishing this project.
They're going to have a hard time finishing this project.
Are you going to be using the car this afternoon?
Are you going to be using the car this afternoon?
She's going to start her own business eventually.
She's going to start her own business eventually.
The economy is going to face significant challenges next year.
The economy is going to face significant challenges next year.
If you don't study, you're going to fail the exam.
If you don't study, you're going to fail the exam.
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Is this situation ever going to improve?
Is this situation ever going to improve?
The sheer scale of the project is going to necessitate a complete overhaul.
The sheer scale of the project is going to necessitate a complete overhaul.
I'm going to suggest that we postpone the meeting.
I'm going to suggest that we postpone the meeting.
The tension in the room was so thick, you knew something was going to snap.
The tension in the room was so thick, you knew something was going to snap.
Are we really going to pretend that this isn't a problem?
Are we really going to pretend that this isn't a problem?
Such a radical shift in policy is inevitably going to alienate the core electorate.
Such a radical shift in policy is inevitably going to alienate the core electorate.
The protagonist's hubris is clearly going to be his downfall.
The protagonist's hubris is clearly going to be his downfall.
I was just going to observe that the data seems slightly skewed.
I was just going to observe that the data seems slightly skewed.
Whether we like it or not, automation is going to redefine the labor market.
Whether we like it or not, automation is going to redefine the labor market.
Fácil de confundir
Both are used for the future. Learners don't know which to pick.
Learners use 'will' for everything future-related.
Learners think 'I am going to the park' is the same as 'I am going to go to the park'.
Errores comunes
I going to eat.
I am going to eat.
He is going eat.
He is going to eat.
They are go to play.
They are going to play.
I am going to playing.
I am going to play.
Are you going to buying it?
Are you going to buy it?
She not going to come.
She is not going to come.
I will go to the cinema tomorrow (when planned).
I am going to go to the cinema tomorrow.
I was going to calling you.
I was going to call you.
It will rain! (seeing black clouds)
It is going to rain!
I'm gonna to go.
I'm gonna go.
Patrones de oraciones
I am going to ___ this weekend.
It is going to ___ because ___.
Are you going to ___ or ___?
I was going to ___ but ___.
Real World Usage
I'm gonna be there in 10 mins!
I am going to contribute my skills to your team.
It's going to be a sunny day tomorrow.
We're going to post a new video tonight!
The nurse is going to take your blood pressure.
Are we going to take the train or the bus?
¡No Olvides el 'Be'!
I am going to,
She is going to,
They are going to.
No Para Decisiones Espontáneas
(no I'm going to have a coffee") si lo acabas de decidir.Usa 'Gonna' en Conversaciones Casuales
Expresando Certeza
This is happening!Predicciones con Evidencia
Smart Tips
Always reach for 'going to'. It's the 'eyes-on-the-prize' tense.
Use 'going to' to show you're organized and have plans.
Contract the 'be' verb but keep the 'going to' clear until you're very comfortable.
Use 'was going to' to immediately signal that the plan changed.
Pronunciación
The 'Gonna' Reduction
In fast, casual speech, 'going to' often sounds like 'gonna'.
The 'Be' Contraction
The 'be' verb is almost always contracted (I'm, You're, He's).
Rising on the main verb
Are you going to GO? ↗
Emphasizing the action in a question.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Remember 'B-G-T': Be verb, Going to, Then the verb.
Asociación visual
Imagine a bridge. On one side is 'Today' (your plan), and on the other side is 'Tomorrow' (the action). 'Going to' is the bridge connecting them.
Rhyme
If you planned it in your head, 'going to' is what is said.
Story
Imagine you are holding a calendar. You point to Saturday and say 'I am going to...'. Then you look out the window at a dark cloud and say 'It is going to...'. The calendar is your plan; the window is your evidence.
Word Web
Desafío
Look around your room. Find one thing that is 'going to' happen in the next 10 minutes (e.g., 'I am going to drink water') and say it out loud.
Notas culturales
'Gonna' is extremely common in US pop culture and music, but using it in a formal essay will lower your grade.
British speakers often use 'going to' for immediate intentions, but may use 'shall' for formal offers, which 'going to' cannot do.
In project management, 'going to' is used to signal commitment to a plan.
The 'going to' construction evolved from the literal verb of motion 'to go'.
Inicios de conversación
What are you going to do this weekend?
Look at the weather. What do you think is going to happen?
What are you going to do after you finish this course?
If you won the lottery, what are you going to buy first?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
My friends ___ to watch a new movie tonight.
Find and fix the mistake:
She going to learn Spanish next year.
Translate into English: 'Ella va a viajar a Italia el próximo verano.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /3
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesI ___ (visit) my aunt tomorrow.
Which sentence is correct for a prediction with evidence?
Find and fix the mistake:
They is going to buy a house.
She is going to cook.
A: Are you coming to the party? B: No, I ___.
1. I, 2. He, 3. We
Select the planned action.
___ you going to help me?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI ___ to call my mom after work.
Elige la oración correcta:
Organiza estas palabras en una oración:
Look at the dark clouds! It ___ to rain very soon.
They am going to travel to Spain.
Traduce al inglés: '¿Vas a estudiar inglés este año?'
Une los sujetos con la forma correcta:
Elige la oración correcta:
We are go to visit our cousins next week.
Traduce al inglés: 'No voy a comprar ese vestido, es demasiado caro.'
Organiza estas palabras en una pregunta:
I heard the news. She ___ to get married next spring!
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
No, `gonna` is only for informal speaking and texting. In homework or formal writing, always use `going to`.
Use `going to` for plans made before now. Use `will` for decisions made at this exact moment.
Technically, that is the `Present Continuous`. To make it the `Going To Future`, you should say `I am going to go to the store`.
Move the `be` verb to the start: `Are you going to...?` or `Is he going to...?`
Yes! You can say `I am going to retire in 40 years.` It just means you have the intention now.
It's a natural way to speak faster. The 'to' sound blends into the 'going' sound.
It describes a plan you had in the past that usually didn't happen. `I was going to cook, but I ordered pizza instead.`
Only if you have evidence. If you just 'think' something might happen without proof, use `will`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ir a + infinitivo
Spanish doesn't need the 'be' verb (am/is/are).
Futur proche (Aller + infinitif)
French doesn't use the 'ing' form of 'aller' in this structure.
Futur I (werden + Infinitiv)
German does not distinguish between 'will' and 'going to'.
〜つもり (~tsumori)
Japanese verbs don't change for the future; the intention is added at the end.
Sa- (prefix) / Sawfa
It doesn't use a 'going' equivalent; it's a purely grammatical marker.
要 (yào) / 打算 (dǎsuàn)
There is no verb conjugation or 'be' verb involved.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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