I'm Going To (do) | Unit 20 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 20 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 20 · Leçon de Grammaire

I'm Going To (do)
Intentions, Predictions from Evidence & Was Going To I'm Going To (do)
Intentions, Prédictions & Was Going To

Master I'm going to for decisions and intentions, predictions based on what you can see now, and the past form was going to for things you intended but didn't do

Maîtrisez I'm going to pour les décisions et intentions, les prédictions basées sur ce qu'on voit maintenant, et la forme passée was going to pour les intentions non réalisées

B1 – B2 4 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 4 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

I'm going to do something has three main uses: (1) to talk about a decision or intention you have already made, (2) to make a prediction based on what you can see or know right now, and (3) in its past form was / were going to, to describe something you intended to do but didn't. This unit also compares I am going to do with I am doing (Unit 19), since both can refer to the future.

I'm going to do a trois utilisations principales : (1) parler d'une décision ou intention déjà prise, (2) faire une prédiction basée sur ce qu'on voit ou sait maintenant, et (3) sous sa forme passée was / were going to, décrire quelque chose qu'on avait l'intention de faire mais qu'on n'a pas fait. Cette unité compare aussi I am going to do avec I am doing (Unité 19).

I'm going to do — Decisions and Intentions

I'm going to do — Décisions et intentions

I am going to do something = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it. The decision is made before the moment of speaking.

I am going to do quelque chose = j'ai déjà décidé de le faire, j'ai l'intention de le faire. La décision est prise avant le moment où l'on parle.

I'm going to do = already decided / intend to do it
She's going to buy = decision already made — she knows what she wants

'Are you going to eat anything?' 'No, I'm not hungry.'

→ Decision not to eat — already made (I'm not hungry).

→ Décision de ne pas manger — déjà prise (I'm not hungry).

A: I hear Sarah won the lottery. What is she going to do with the money?
B: She's going to buy a new car.

→ She has already decided — it's her intention.

→ Elle a déjà décidé — c'est son intention.

I'm just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait?

→ Intention to do something very soon.

→ Intention de faire quelque chose très bientôt.

This cheese smells horrible. I'm not going to eat it.

→ Decision made on the spot based on the evidence (the smell).

→ Décision prise sur le moment basée sur la preuve (l'odeur).

I am doing vs I am going to do

I am doing (present continuous) = already fixed or arranged — you have booked, confirmed, or agreed on the time, place, or person involved.

I am doing (présent continu) = déjà fixé ou organisé — vous avez réservé, confirmé ou convenu d'une heure, d'un lieu ou d'une personne.

I am going to do something = you've decided to do it. Maybe you've arranged it, maybe not.

I am going to do quelque chose = vous avez décidé de le faire. Peut-être que vous l'avez organisé, peut-être pas.

I am doing — fixed arrangement

I am doing — arrangement fixé

booked, confirmed, agreed with others

réservé, confirmé, convenu avec d'autres

I'm leaving next week. I've booked my flight.

What time are you meeting Emily this evening?

I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. (= I don't know my schedule)

I am going to do — decision / intention

I am going to do — décision / intention

decided, but maybe not arranged with anyone

décidé, mais pas forcément organisé avec quelqu'un

A: Your shoes are dirty.
B: Yes, I know. I'm going to clean them.

I don't want to stay here. Tomorrow I'm going to look for somewhere else.

I don't know what I'm going to do about the problem. (= I haven't decided)

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Often the difference is small: La différence est souvent minime : When a plan is both decided and arranged, you can often use either form. I'm playing tennis tomorrow (arranged with someone) and I'm going to play tennis tomorrow (intention) are both natural. The key difference is that I am doing always implies a specific arrangement; going to only implies a decision. Quand un plan est à la fois décidé et organisé, les deux formes sont souvent possibles. La différence clé : I am doing implique toujours un arrangement spécifique ; going to n'implique qu'une décision.

Predictions Based on Present Evidence

Prédictions basées sur la situation actuelle

We also use is / are going to when we can see now that something is about to happen — the present situation makes the future event clear.

On utilise aussi is / are going to quand on peut voir maintenant que quelque chose est sur le point de se produire — la situation présente rend l'événement futur évident.

nowfuture

The man isn't looking where he is going. He is going to walk into the wall.

L'homme ne regarde pas où il va. Il is going to walk dans le mur.

We can see the situation now — the evidence (he isn't looking, he's walking toward the wall) makes the future result clear. We use going to, not will, because this is a prediction based on evidence.

On voit la situation maintenant — les indices (il ne regarde pas, il marche vers le mur) rendent le résultat futur évident. On utilise going to, pas will, parce que c'est une prédiction basée sur des preuves.

Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain.

→ We can see the clouds now — the evidence is visible.

→ On voit les nuages maintenant — la preuve est visible.

I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick.

→ Based on how I feel right now — present evidence.

→ Basé sur ce que je ressens maintenant — preuve présente.

The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse.

→ Current evidence (bad situation) leads to a predictable future outcome.

→ La preuve actuelle (mauvaise situation) mène à un résultat futur prévisible.

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Going to vs will for predictions: Going to vs will pour les prédictions : Use going to when the evidence is visible now: Look at those clouds — it's going to rain. Use will for general predictions without present evidence: I think it will rain tomorrow. (Unit 23 covers this contrast in full.) Utilisez going to quand la preuve est visible maintenant : Look at those clouds — it's going to rain. Utilisez will pour des prédictions générales sans preuve présente : I think it will rain tomorrow. (L'unité 23 couvre ce contraste en détail.)

Was / Were Going To — Intentions That Didn't Happen

Was / Were Going To — Intentions non réalisées

I was going to do something = I intended to do it, but I didn't do it (or it didn't happen).

I was going to do quelque chose = j'avais l'intention de le faire, mais je ne l'ai pas fait (ou ça ne s'est pas passé).

was / were going to + verb = intended but didn't happen
I thought it was going to = I predicted it, but it didn't happen

Intention that didn't happen

Intention non réalisée

was / were going to + verb

was / were going to + verbe

We were going to travel by train, but we decided to drive instead.

I was going to cross the road when somebody shouted 'Stop!'

Peter was going to give up his job, but decided to stay.

I was going to phone you, but I sent an email instead.

Prediction that didn't come true

Prédiction qui ne s'est pas réalisée

I thought / I was sure it was going to…

I thought it was going to rain, but it didn't.

She thought the exam was going to be hard, but it was easy.

Tom and I were going to play tennis but he hurt his knee.

💡

Common pattern: Structure courante : I was going to [verb], but [reason why it didn't happen]. The "but" clause explains why the intention wasn't carried out. This is a very natural way to explain or apologise: I was going to call you, but I forgot. I was going to [verbe], but [raison pour laquelle ça ne s'est pas passé]. La proposition "but" explique pourquoi l'intention n'a pas été réalisée. C'est une façon très naturelle d'expliquer ou de s'excuser : I was going to call you, but I forgot.

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Write questions with going to

Exercice 1 — Écrivez des questions avec going to

Your friend has done something. Ask a question using the words in brackets.

Votre ami a fait quelque chose. Posez une question avec les mots entre parenthèses.

Your friend has won some money. (what / do with it?)
Votre ami a gagné de l'argent. (what / do with it?)

Your friend is going to a wedding next week. (what / wear?)
Votre ami va à un mariage la semaine prochaine. (what / wear?)

Your friend has just bought a new table. (where / put it?)
Votre ami vient d'acheter une nouvelle table. (where / put it?)

Your friend has decided to have a party. (who / invite?)
Votre ami a décidé d'organiser une fête. (who / invite?)

Your friend has bought some fish for dinner. (how / cook it?)
Votre ami a acheté du poisson pour dîner. (how / cook it?)

Answers:Réponses : 1. What are you going to do with it? · 2. What are you going to wear? · 3. Where are you going to put it? · 4. Who are you going to invite? · 5. How are you going to cook it?

EX 2

Exercise 2 — Complete using I'm going to … / I'm not going to …

Exercice 2 — Complétez avec I'm going to … / I'm not going to …

Choose a verb from the word bank. Use positive or negative as needed.

Choisissez un verbe dans la liste. Utilisez le positif ou le négatif selon le contexte.

Choose:complainlearnrunsaytrywashnot/acceptnot/eatnot/tell

This cheese smells horrible. it.Ce fromage sent horrible. .

I haven't been trying hard enough. From now on harder.Je n'ai pas assez essayé. Désormais plus dur.

I have to make a speech tomorrow, but I don't know what .Je dois faire un discours demain, mais je ne sais pas ce que .

'The car is very dirty.' 'I know. it.''La voiture est très sale.' 'Je sais. .'

I've been offered a job, but it. The pay is too low.On m'a proposé un emploi, mais . Le salaire est trop bas.

a language, but I haven't decided which one yet. une langue, mais je n'ai pas encore décidé laquelle.

One day in a marathon. It's my ambition.Un jour un marathon. C'est mon ambition.

The food in this restaurant is awful. .La nourriture dans ce restaurant est affreuse. .

Ben doesn't need to know what happened, so him.Ben n'a pas besoin de savoir ce qui s'est passé, donc .

Answers:Réponses : 1. I'm not going to eat it · 2. I'm going to try · 3. I'm going to say · 4. I'm going to wash · 5. I'm not going to accept it · 6. I'm going to learn · 7. I'm going to run · 8. I'm going to complain · 9. I'm not going to tell him

EX 3

Exercise 3 — What is going to happen? Use the words in brackets

Exercice 3 — Qu'est-ce qui va se passer ? Utilisez les mots entre parenthèses

Look at the situation described and write a prediction with going to.

Regardez la situation décrite et écrivez une prédiction avec going to.

There are a lot of black clouds in the sky. (rain)
Example: It's going to rain.Il y a beaucoup de nuages noirs dans le ciel. (rain)
Exemple : It's going to rain.

It is 8.30. Tom is leaving home. He has to be at work at 8.45, but the journey takes 30 minutes. (late)
Il est 8h30. Tom quitte la maison. Il doit être au travail à 8h45, mais le trajet prend 30 minutes. (late)

There is a hole in the bottom of the boat. A lot of water is coming in. (sink)
Il y a un trou dans le fond du bateau. Beaucoup d'eau entre. (sink)

Amy and Ben are driving. The tank is nearly empty. It's a long way to the next petrol station. (run out of petrol)
Amy et Ben conduisent. Le réservoir est presque vide. La prochaine station est loin. (run out of petrol)

Sarah's car was badly damaged in an accident. Now it has to be repaired. (cost a lot)
La voiture de Sarah a été gravement endommagée. Elle doit être réparée. (cost a lot)

Answers:Réponses : 2. He's going to be late · 3. The boat is going to sink · 4. They're going to run out of petrol · 5. It's going to cost a lot (to repair the car)

EX 4

Exercise 4 — Complete with was / were going to

Exercice 4 — Complétez avec was / were going to

Choose the correct verb from the word bank.

Choisissez le bon verbe dans la liste.

Choose:bebuygive upphoneplaysaytravel

Example: We were going to travel by train, but we decided to go by car instead.Exemple : We were going to travel by train, but we decided to go by car instead.

I some new clothes yesterday, but I didn't have time to go to the shops.I some new clothes yesterday, but I didn't have time to go to the shops.

Tom and I tennis last week, but he'd hurt his knee and had to cancel.Tom and I tennis last week, but he'd hurt his knee and had to cancel.

I Jane, but I sent her an email instead.I Jane, but I sent her an email instead.

I thought the exam hard, but it was easier than I expected.I thought the exam hard, but it was easier than I expected.

Peter his job, but in the end he decided to stay where he was.Peter his job, but in the end he decided to stay where he was.

I'm sorry I interrupted you. What ?Je suis désolé de vous avoir interrompu. What ?

Answers:Réponses : 2. was going to buy · 3. were going to play · 4. was going to phone · 5. was going to be · 6. was going to give up · 7. were you going to say

Frequently Asked Questions — I'm Going To

Questions fréquentes — I'm Going To

What is the difference between "I'm going to do" and "I will do"?Quelle est la différence entre "I'm going to do" et "I will do" ?

I'm going to do = the decision is already made before speaking. I will do = the decision is made at the moment of speaking. Example: If someone asks you to help and you say OK, I'll help you — that's a spontaneous decision (will). But if you have already planned to help: I'm going to help you tomorrow — the intention was made earlier (going to). Unit 23 covers this in full.

I'm going to do = la décision est déjà prise avant de parler. I will do = la décision est prise au moment de parler. L'unité 23 couvre ce point en détail.

When do I use "going to" vs the present continuous for the future?Quand utilise-t-on "going to" vs le présent continu pour le futur ?

Both refer to things planned before now. I am doing (continuous) = specific arrangement — you've confirmed the time, place, or person: I'm meeting Sarah at 7 — we've booked the restaurant. I'm going to do = a decision or intention, not necessarily confirmed with others: I'm going to look for a new job (decision, but nothing is booked). Often both are possible.

Les deux concernent des choses planifiées avant maintenant. I am doing (continu) = arrangement spécifique confirmé. I'm going to do = décision ou intention, pas forcément confirmée avec d'autres. Les deux sont souvent possibles.

Why do we use "going to" and not "will" for predictions like "It's going to rain"?Pourquoi utilise-t-on "going to" et pas "will" pour des prédictions comme "It's going to rain" ?

Use going to when there is present evidence that makes the future outcome clear — you can see it or feel it now: the clouds are there, you feel sick, the boat is sinking. Use will for more general predictions not based on visible evidence: I think it will be a good year.

Utilisez going to quand il y a une preuve présente qui rend le résultat futur évident — vous pouvez le voir ou le ressentir maintenant. Utilisez will pour des prédictions générales sans preuve visible.

What does "was going to" mean and when do we use it?Que signifie "was going to" et quand l'utilise-t-on ?

Was / were going to = you intended to do something in the past, but you didn't do it (or it didn't happen). It's the past form of going to. Always followed by a reason why it didn't happen: I was going to call you, but I was too busy. It's also used for past predictions that didn't come true: I thought it was going to rain, but it didn't.

Was / were going to = vous aviez l'intention de faire quelque chose dans le passé, mais vous ne l'avez pas fait. Toujours suivi d'une raison pour laquelle ça ne s'est pas passé : I was going to call you, but I was too busy.

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All topics Intention / Decision Prediction from Evidence Was Going To Going To vs Continuous Spot the Error

I'm Going To Quiz

Quiz — I'm Going To

20 questions

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out ofsur 20 questionsquestions

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I'm Going To (do)Intentions, Predictions from Evidence & Was Going To I'm Going To (do)Intentions, Prédictions & Was Going To

I'm going to do — Decisions and Intentions

I'm going to do — Décisions et intentions

I am doing vs I am going to do

I am doing vs I am going to do

I am doing — fixed arrangement

I am doing — arrangement fixé

I am going to do — decision / intention

I am going to do — décision / intention

Predictions Based on Present Evidence

Prédictions basées sur la situation actuelle

Was / Were Going To — Intentions That Didn't Happen

Was / Were Going To — Intentions non réalisées

Intention that didn't happen

Intention non réalisée

Prediction that didn't come true

Prédiction qui ne s'est pas réalisée

I'm Going To — Exercises with AnswersI'm Going To — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Write questions with going to

Exercice 1 — Écrivez des questions avec going to

Exercise 2 — Complete using I'm going to … / I'm not going to …

Exercice 2 — Complétez avec I'm going to … / I'm not going to …

Exercise 3 — What is going to happen? Use the words in brackets

Exercice 3 — Qu'est-ce qui va se passer ? Utilisez les mots entre parenthèses

Exercise 4 — Complete with was / were going to

Exercice 4 — Complétez avec was / were going to

Frequently Asked Questions — I'm Going To

Questions fréquentes — I'm Going To

I'm Going To — Quiz

I'm Going To — Quiz

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I'm Going To Quiz

Quiz — I'm Going To

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I'm Going To (do)
Intentions, Predictions from Evidence & Was Going To I'm Going To (do)
Intentions, Prédictions & Was Going To