The key idea
Choose be going to, would like to, and future time words to describe your plans clearly.
What is it for?
Learn to write about plans and wishes for the future.
What you need to know
- Use be going to for plans you already have.
- Use positive, negative, and question forms correctly.
- Use want to and would like to for wishes.
- Add future time words to say when things happen.
- Put your plans in order and give reasons with because.
1. Write about plans, not facts
Use be going to for plans you already have.
Put a verb after going to.
Add a time word to show when the plan happens.
- Use am with I.
- Use is with he, she, and it.
- Use are with you, we, and they.
- Do not use will for plans in this lesson.
I'm going to visit my aunt tomorrow.
This sentence gives a plan and its time.
We are going to cook dinner tonight.
The plan is to cook dinner tonight.
2. Make positive, negative, and question forms
Use am, is, or are before going to.
For a negative sentence, add not after am, is, or are.
For a question, put am, is, or are first.
- Positive: subject + am/is/are + going to + verb.
- Negative: subject + am/is/are + not + going to + verb.
- Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + verb?
I'm going to buy some fruit.
This is a positive plan.
She isn't going to work on Sunday.
This is a negative plan.
Are you going to study tonight?
This question asks about a plan.
3. Write about wishes and fixed plans
Use want to for something you want to do.
Use would like to for a polite wish.
Use the present continuous for a fixed plan with a person.
- After want to, use a verb.
- After would like to, use a verb.
- Use a time word with fixed plans when possible.
I want to learn to swim next summer.
This sentence tells the reader what I want.
I'd like to visit the city museum.
This sentence gives a wish.
I'm meeting Sam on Friday.
This sentence gives a fixed plan with a person.
4. Put your plans in order
Start with the time of your plans.
Use first, then, and after that to show the order.
Use because to explain why you have a plan.
Finish with another plan or a friendly question.
- Use tomorrow or tonight for a near plan.
- Use next week or this weekend for a later plan.
- Use in two days to give a time from now.
- Give a simple reason with because.
First, I'm going to clean my room.
First shows the start of the plan.
Then, I'm going to meet my cousin.
Then shows the next plan.
I'm going to stay home because I'm tired.
Because gives the reason.
How to do it, step by step
- Start with a greeting and say why you are writing.
- Say when your plans are happening.
- Describe your first plan and give a reason.
- Add other plans in order.
- Finish with a friendly question or closing.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| I'm going to + verb | I'm going to visit my aunt. | I'm going to make a cake. |
| I'm not going to + verb | I'm not going to go shopping. | I'm not going to work on Sunday. |
| Are you going to + verb? | Are you going to watch the film? | Are you going to visit your friends? |
| I want to + verb | I want to learn to swim. | I want to buy a new bag. |
| I would like to + verb | I would like to visit the museum. | I would like to try a new recipe. |
| I'm meeting + person + time | I'm meeting Sam on Friday. | I'm meeting my cousin tomorrow. |
| Time word + subject + be going to | Tomorrow, I'm going to clean my room. | Next week, we're going to visit the park. |
| I'm going to + verb + because + reason | I'm going to cook because I'm hungry. | I'm going to walk because the weather is nice. |
UK / US: Both British and American English use be going to for plans. Spelling can differ, such as organise (UK) and organize (US).
Model text
An Email About Next Weekend
Greeting and opening
Hi Alex, How are you? I'm writing about my plans for next weekend.
Start with a greeting and introduce your topic.
First plan
On Saturday morning, I'm going to visit my grandparents. I'm going to help them in the garden because they are busy.
Give the time, the plan, and a reason.
Next plans
Then, I'm meeting Mia for lunch. After that, we're going to play tennis in the park. I'm not going to stay out late because I have work on Sunday.
Use order words and include a negative plan.
Sunday and closing
On Sunday, I'd like to make a cake at home. I want to try a new recipe. What are you going to do this weekend? Write soon! Best wishes, Jamie
Add a wish and finish with a question and closing.
Common mistakes
✗ I going to visit my aunt.
✓ I'm going to visit my aunt.
Use am, is, or are before going to.
✗ She is going to visits her friend.
✓ She is going to visit her friend.
Use the base verb after going to.
✗ They are not going visit us.
✓ They are not going to visit us.
Keep to before the verb.
✗ Are going you to study tonight?
✓ Are you going to study tonight?
Put are before the subject in a question.
✗ I would like visit the museum.
✓ I would like to visit the museum.
Use to after would like.
✗ Tomorrow I going to cook dinner.
✓ Tomorrow I'm going to cook dinner.
The sentence needs am before going to.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Choose the day or time for your plans.
- Write two or three things you plan to do.
- Add a wish and one reason with because.
- Put the plans in order with first, then, or after that.
Check
- Check every be going to form.
- Check that each going to phrase has a base verb.
- Check your future time words.
- Check your order words and reasons.
- Check your greeting, question, and closing.
Practice
Complete the plans
Write the missing word or words. Use the verb in brackets when shown.
1.I going to visit my uncle tomorrow.
Use am with I.
2.She going to make dinner tonight.
Use is with she.
3.They going to play football on Saturday.
Use are with they.
4.We are going to (clean) the kitchen.
Use the base verb after going to.
5.He is going to (buy) some bread.
Use the base verb after going to.
6.I'm going to see my cousin . The day is tomorrow.
Tomorrow tells us the plan's time.
7.We're going to visit the market . The day is Saturday and today is Wednesday.
In two days means two days from now.
8.I'm going to watch a film . It is night now.
Tonight means this evening or night.
Choose the correct plan sentence
Choose the sentence with the correct form.
1.Which sentence is correct?
Use am and to before the base verb.
2.Which sentence gives a negative plan?
Put not after is for a negative plan.
3.Which sentence asks about a plan?
Put are before you in a question.
4.Which sentence gives a wish?
Use to and the base verb after would like.
5.Which sentence gives a fixed plan with a person?
Use am meeting for a fixed plan.
6.Which sentence gives a reason?
Because introduces the reason for the plan.
Put the words in order
Put the words in the correct order. Add capital letters and punctuation.
1.Put the words in order:
swimI'mtomorrowgoingto
Put I'm before going to and the time word last.
2.Put the words in order:
worktogoingshetodayisn't
Put isn't after she in a negative plan.
3.Put the words in order:
Aretonightyougoingcookto
Start the question with are.
4.Put the words in order:
tovisitparkI'dthelike
Use I'd like to before the verb.
5.Put the words in order:
SamonmeetingI'mFriday
Use am meeting for a fixed plan with a person.
Fix the plan sentences
Correct the one mistake in each sentence.
1.I going to visit my aunt tomorrow.
Add am after I.
2.He are going to buy some fruit.
Use is with he.
3.We going to play tennis on Sunday.
Add are after we.
4.Are she going to visit the museum?
Use is with she in a question.
5.They are going to cooks dinner tonight.
Use the base verb after going to.
Now write
Your task
Write an email to a friend about next weekend or your next holiday. Describe your plans in order. Include one wish and one reason.
Word bank
tomorrowtonightnext weekthis weekendin two dayssoonfirstthenafter thatbecausevisitcookmeetplayrelax
Sentence starters
- Hi ..., how are you?
- Next weekend, I'm going to ...
- First, I'm going to ...
- Then, I'm meeting ...
- I'd like to ... because ...
- What are you going to do ...?