Uso del "voy a" para expresar intenciones y planes futuros

Curso de Inglés Básico A2: Sustantivos e Intenciones Futuras

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Inglés Básico A2

1
Uso de Sustantivos y Adverbios en Inglés
02:16 min

Artículos y sustantivos en inglés

Habla del futuro y expresa sugerencias en inglés

Expresa solicitudes y peticiones en inglés

Práctica tu Inglés

20
Repaso de Inglés A2: Preguntas, Sugerencias y Futuro
02:06 min

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0:007:08

Uso del "voy a" para expresar intenciones y planes futuros

Curso de Inglés Básico A2: Sustantivos e Intenciones Futuras

Clase 12 de 20

Clase 12 / 20

Recursos

Understanding the difference between "will" and "going to" is one of the most important steps when talking about the future in English. Both structures help you communicate plans, predictions, and decisions, but each one has a specific use that changes the meaning of your sentence.

When do we use "going to" in English?

We use "going to" in three main situations [0:17]:

To talk about intentions: something you want to do in the future. For example, "Roger is going to learn a new language."
To make predictions based on evidence: when you can see or feel something that tells you what will happen. "It looks cloudy. It's going to rain."
To talk about plans or scheduled future actions: things you have already decided. "Leah and Arthur are going to see the client on Monday."

The structure for "going to" follows a clear pattern [1:07]: subject + verb "to be" + (negative if needed) + "going to" + base form of the verb. For instance, "I'm not going to buy a new computer. I bought one last year," or "Alexis and Lorena are going to have a meeting with a client at 2:00 PM."

What are practical examples of "going to"?

Three examples help clarify this structure [1:37]:

"I'm going to work until late." — This expresses an intention.
"Is Jessica going to organize the new material?" — This asks about a plan.
"We're not going to hire new employees." — This states something that is not planned.

What is the difference between "will" and "going to"?

Many students get confused between these two forms, but the distinction is straightforward [2:05]. Use "will" for:

Instant decisions: choices made at the moment of speaking.
Promises and offers: commitments you make to someone.
Predictions with no evidence: guesses about the future without proof.

Use "going to" for:

Planned actions: things you have already decided to do.
Intentions: goals or desires for the future.
Predictions with evidence: conclusions based on what you can see or know.

How do "will" and "going to" compare in real sentences?

Look at these pairs of examples [2:28]:

Prediction without evidence: "I think he will be late." — You are just guessing.
Prediction with evidence: "There is a lot of traffic. I'm afraid we're going to be late." — You can see the traffic, so there is proof.
Offer: "Don't worry, I will do it." — You are volunteering in the moment.
Intention: "I'm going to learn how to play the guitar this year." — This is something you have already decided.

How does a listening exercise help you practice "will" and "going to"?

A podcast by James about his plans in Chicago shows both structures in context [3:20]. Answering comprehension questions helps reinforce the differences.

What is James definitely going to do at the museum? He is going to take pictures. He is certain about this plan, while asking for a tour guide is only a possibility ("I will ask for a tour guide if I have any questions") [5:29].
What promise did James make? He will visit the old cathedral. This is a promise to his mom — he said he would buy her a candle and light it there [6:00].
What is James certainly going to take to the countryside? A cap, because according to the weather forecast, it isn't going to be sunny. The umbrella is mentioned with "I think I will also take an umbrella just in case," which shows an instant decision without certainty [6:30].

Notice how James uses "going to" for everything he has already planned and "will" for spontaneous decisions and promises. This pattern is consistent throughout natural English conversation.

Now it is your turn — share in the comments what you are going to do next weekend and practice using both structures in your answer.

Sergio Andrés Piratoba Forero

Hace 3 años

Future: be going to (I am going to work)

Grammar > Verbs > Tenses and time > Future > Future: be going to (I am going to work)from English Grammar Today

Be going to: form

We use be going to + the base form of the verb:

I*’m going to** take a few exams at the end of the year.*

It*’s going to** be difficult to get a job during the summer as the tourist industry is suffering from the economic downturn.*

Be going to: uses

Be going to is commonly used in informal styles.

Intentions

We use be going to to talk about future plans and intentions. Usually the decision about the future plans has already been made:

She’s going to be a professional dancer when she grows up.

I’m going to look for a new place to live next month.

Predictions

We use be going to to predict something that we think is certain to happen or which we have evidence for now:

It’s going to snow again soon. (The speaker can probably see dark snow clouds.)

Look out! He*’s going to** break that glass.*

Commands

We use be going to when we give commands or state that something is obligatory:

[parent to a child]

You’re going to pick up all of those toys right now. This room is a mess!

Source :

Llaren Linei Morales Osorio

Hace 2 años

Thank you, Sergio!

Comentarios (122)122 comentarios

Carolina Melendez

Nice course! The teacher is great 😀 Thanks!

Adriana Victoria Peña

Profesor

Hi Carolina,

Thanks for the positive feedback.

Julián Cárdenas

Yeah she is great!°

Juan Felipe Angarita Lopez

"Going to" se utiliza en inglés para expresar planes e intenciones futuras. Aquí tienes algunos ejemplos:

Planes futuros:
- I'm going to visit my grandparents next weekend. (Voy a visitar a mis abuelos el próximo fin de semana.)
- They're going to have a party for their anniversary. (Van a hacer una fiesta para su aniversario.)
- She's going to study abroad next semester. (Ella va a estudiar en el extranjero el próximo semestre.)
Predicciones basadas en evidencia presente:
- Look at those dark clouds. It's going to rain soon. (Mira esas nubes oscuras. Va a llover pronto.)
- He's going to miss the train if he doesn't hurry. (Va a perder el tren si no se apura.)
Intenciones y planes personales:
- I'm going to start exercising regularly. (Voy a empezar a hacer ejercicio regularmente.)
- They're going to buy a new house next year. (Van a comprar una casa nueva el próximo año.)
Promesas o compromisos:
- Don't worry, I'm going to help you with your project. (No te preocupes, voy a ayudarte con tu proyecto.)
- She's going to cook dinner for us tonight. (Ella va a cocinar la cena para nosotros esta noche.)

En resumen, "going to" se utiliza para expresar planes e intenciones futuras, así como predicciones basadas en la evidencia presente.

Thanks!!

Yofry Relaxed Alonzo

excellent explaination , loved rolls plays its more complete and understand better

Mara Jaritzi Hernandez Garcia

Hace 6 meses

he is going to take pictures

He will visit the old cathedral

A cap

Óscar Oswaldo Ortiz López

Hace 8 meses

Para decidir, piensa si es una intención o plan ya establecido (usa going to) o una decisión instantánea, promesa, oferta o predicción sin evidencia (usa will). La clave está en si hay una preparación o base previa para la acción.

Leonardo Rivera

What good pronunciation, the words are clear, will it be that one day I will achieve it?

Hi Leonardo,

You are in the right place! The best advice I can give you is to practice a lot!

Kristhian Lizcano

I am going to share the word of God with some children and going to the church on Sunday

Ivan Andres Suarez Alfonso

This lesson was difficult for me. I played many times the recording to understand the answers to the questions. I am going to practice more consistently. Thank you teacher and Platzi.

David Torres

remenber that going to = gonna, gonna it's more informal

Gabriel Obregón

Using "going to"

We use “going to” to talk about intentions and express something we want to do in the future.

Examples:

Intention: “Roger is going to learn a new language.”
Prediction (based on evidence): “It looks cloudy. It's going to rain.”
Plans or scheduled actions: “Lia and Arthur are going to see the client on Monday.”

Structure of "going to"

The structure is: SUBJECT + BE (not) + GOING TO + VERB (base form)

“I'm not going to buy a new computer.”
“Alexis and Lorena are going to have a meeting with the client at 2:00 PM.”

Comparing "will" and "going to"

Many students get confused between “will” and “going to.” Here's the difference:

Use “will” for:
- Instant decisions
- Promises
- Offers
- Predictions (without evidence)
Use “going to” for:
- Planned actions
- Intentions
- Predictions (with evidence)

Will: “I think he will be late.” (No evidence)
Going to: “There is a lot of traffic. I'm afraid we're going to be late.” (With evidence)
Will: “Don't worry, I will do it.” (Offer)
Going to: “I'm going to learn how to play the guitar this year.” (Intention)

Paula Andrea Cortes Toloza

Next weekend i'm going to go to a spanish restaurant

Nice! I hope you enjoy it!

Eilleen Alarcon

Share – What are you going to do the next weekend?

I think I will take some lesson of sing and I’m going to practice more English.

Daniela Ramos

I'm going to work in next week

Joel alexander

The next weekend, I'm going to go to the movie theater because, according to the weather forecast, the day is going to be sunny. And if I get hungry, I will go to a burger restaurant."

Johana Silva

Great Course! The teacher is excellent!!

Hi Johana,

I am glad you liked it! I hope you learned a lot.

Yolanda Soledad Montes Barrera

Hace 2 meses

The other week, I going to visit department Morazán, El Salvador.

I going to have a meeting some people of my work.

I don´t know if all people will be in the meeting.

I hope the weather is good.

Maria Paulina Argueta de AYALA

Lia and Arthur are goin g to see the client on monday.

Tony Walter Sandoval gochez

Hace 3 meses

he going to take a cap

he Will visit the old cathedral

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Artículos y sustantivos en inglés

Uso del Artículo "El" en Frases en Español

Reglas para Cambiar Sustantivos de Singular a Plural

Many vs Much con sustantivos contables

Uso de "Cuál" y "Qué" en Preguntas Interrogativas

Uso de "De quién" para Preguntar Propiedad de Objetos

Uso de Artículos y Pronombres en Español

Habla del futuro y expresa sugerencias en inglés

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Preposiciones de movimiento en inglés

Uso de "Will" en Inglés para Hablar del Futuro

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Resumen del módulo 2 de inglés

Práctica de conversación en inglés (contexto cotidiano y de oficina)

Expresa solicitudes y peticiones en inglés

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Peticiones y Ofertas Educadas con "Quisiera" en Español

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Uso del "Porque" y Frases Verbales en Español

Expresiones de tiempo en inglés: pasado, presente y futuro

Práctica tu Inglés

Repaso de Inglés A2: Preguntas, Sugerencias y Futuro

Uso del "voy a" para expresar intenciones y planes futuros

Progreso del curso

Inglés Básico A2

Artículos y sustantivos en inglés

Habla del futuro y expresa sugerencias en inglés

Expresa solicitudes y peticiones en inglés

Práctica tu Inglés

Recursos

Recursos