The future tense

Be + going to + verb  It’s common in conversations.  In quick informal speech, going to often sounds like gonna but don’t use gonna in writing.  After to comes the simple form of the verb: I’m going to sleep. I’m going to buy a dress tomorrow.

Uses - Predictions: We use “be + going to + verb” to make predictions about the future. The sky looks gray. It’s going to rain soon. A policeman is going to get you a ticket if you park in crosswalk. The café is not going to be crowded this week.

Plans and intentions: Use “be+ going to+ verb” to talk about plans for future activity. We are going to eat at the new restaurant tonight. People are not going to go to the post office today because it’s closed. I’m going to walk to school more often in the future.

Yes/No Questions - In yes/no questions, put the appropriate form of be before the subject. Affirmative questions: Is the teacher going to give you a lecture today? Are we going to go to the park tomorrow?

Negative questions: Isn’t it going to rain on Saturday? Aren’t the council members going to go to the bank? Isn’t Noura going to cook dinner tonight?

Information questions - With where, when, why and how : a form of be separates the question word from the subject. + who and what when they are not the subject. Yoko is going to go to the party. Where is yoko going to go to? Calros is going to catch the bus because his car isn’t working. Why is calros going to catch the bus? Dr. Ann is going to teach Lama Who is Dr. Ann going to teach?

We are going to meet at 7 pm this evening. When are we going to meet? I’m not going to come because I have to work. Why aren’t you going to come?

With Who and what as the subject : Verb to be doesn’t separate the question word from the subject because we’re asking about the subject Sara isn’t going to be there. Who isn’t going to be there? Bassam is going to cook dinner tonight. Who is going to cook dinner tonight.