Unit 22. I’m going to …

She is going to watch TV this evening.
We use am/ is/ are going to … for the future:

I
he/ she/ it
we/ you/ they

am
is (not)
are

going to

do …
drink …
watch …

am
is
are

I
he/ she/ it
we/ you/ they

going to

buy …?
eat …?
wear …?

I am going to do something = I have decided to do something, my intention is to do something:

- I'm going to buy some books tomorrow.
- Sarah is going to sell her car.
- I'm not going to have breakfast this morning. I'm not hungry.
- What are you going to wear to the party on Saturday?
- "Your hair is dirty." "Yes, I know. I'm going to wash it."
- Are you going to invite John to your party?

You can say that something is going to happen when it is clear now that it is sure to happen:

- Look at the sky! It's going to rain.
(black clouds now → rain)
- Oh dear! It's 9 o'clock and I'm not ready.
I'm going to be late.
(9 o'clock now and not ready → late)

We also use the Present Continuous (I am -ing) for the future, usually for arrangements (see Unit 21 What are you doing tomorrow? (Present for the future)):
- I am playing tennis with Jack tomorrow.

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