Future (Going to): Rules, Examples & Exercises
Use be + going to + base verb for plans/intentions and predictions with evidence.
نستخدم be + going to + المصدر للتحدث عن خطط/نوايا وتوقعات مبنية على دليل.
When to Use
- Plans/intentions decided before speaking: I’m going to start a course next month.
- خطط/نوايا مقررة مسبقاً: سأبدأ دورة الشهر القادم.
- Prediction with evidence (you can see/know something now): Look at the clouds! It’s going to rain.
- توقع مع دليل: انظر إلى الغيوم! ستمطر.
- Immediate result you can foresee: Watch out! You’re going to drop it.
- نتيجة وشيكة: انتبه! ستسقطه.
How to Form
Affirmative: Subject + am / is / are + going to + V1
الإثبات: الفاعل + am / is / are + going to + الفعل
| Subject | Be | Going to + Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | going to study | I’m going to study tonight. — سأذاكر الليلة. |
| He/She/It | is | going to visit | She’s going to visit Cairo. — ستزور القاهرة. |
| You/We/They | are | going to play | They’re going to play football. — سوف يلعبون كرة القدم. |
Contractions: I’m / he’s / she’s / it’s / we’re / you’re / they’re
الاختصارات: I’m / he’s / she’s / it’s / we’re / you’re / they’re
Negatives
Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + going to + V1
النفي: الفاعل + am/is/are not + going to + الفعل
| Subject | Be + not | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am not (I’m not) | I’m not going to eat late. — لن آكل متأخراً. |
| He/She/It | is not (isn’t) | He isn’t going to drive. — لن يقود. |
| You/We/They | are not (aren’t) | We aren’t going to buy it. — لن نشتريه. |
Questions & Short Answers
Yes/No question: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + V1?
سؤال نعم/لا: Am/Is/Are + الفاعل + going to + الفعل؟
| Question | Short Yes | Short No |
|---|---|---|
| Are you going to travel? | Yes, I am. | No, I’m not. |
| Is she going to cook? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn’t. |
| Are they going to study? | Yes, they are. | No, they aren’t. |
Wh- questions: What/Where/When/Why + am/is/are + subject + going to + V1?
أسئلة Wh: What/Where/When/Why + am/is/are + الفاعل + going to + الفعل؟
Going to vs will
- Going to: plan/decision made before speaking; evidence-based prediction.
- Will: instant decision, offers/promises, general prediction (opinion).
- going to للخطط المسبقة/توقع بدليل، وwill للقرار اللحظي، العروض/الوعود، أو التوقع العام.
الهاتف يرن — سأجيب الآن.
Going to vs Present Continuous (Future)
- Present Continuous for fixed arrangements (time/place set): I’m meeting the doctor at 5.
- Going to for intention/plan (may not be booked yet): I’m going to see the doctor.
- المضارع المستمر للمواعيد المحددة، وgoing to للنوايا والخطط العامة.
Past: was/were going to
Use was/were going to for a past intention (often not completed) or a plan interrupted.
نستخدم was/were going to للنوايا/الخطط في الماضي (غالباً لم تكتمل).
Examples
- I’m going to visit my friend tomorrow. — سأزور صديقي غداً.
- She isn’t going to study medicine. — لن تدرس الطب.
- Are you going to buy a new phone? — هل ستشتري هاتفاً جديداً؟
- We were going to travel, but the flight was canceled. — كنا سنسافر، لكن أُلغيت الرحلة.
Exercises
A) Complete with am/is/are (not) going to + verb
- We ___ (visit) our grandparents this weekend.
- It ___ (rain); look at the sky!
- I ___ (not/buy) that jacket.
- ___ you ___ (study) English tonight?
B) Choose: going to or will
- I forgot my keys! — I (will / am going to) call my brother now. decision now
- Those clouds are dark — It (will / is going to) rain. evidence
C) Rewrite in the past (was/were going to)
- We are going to move house, but we changed our mind. → ________
Answers
- are going to visit
- is going to rain
- am not going to buy
- Are / going to study
- will
- is going to
- We were going to move house, but we changed our mind.
FAQ
Q: Do we use am with “they”?
A: No. Use are.
س: هل نستخدم am مع they؟
ج: لا. نستخدم are.
Q: Is “gonna” OK?
A: It’s informal speech (pronunciation). Don’t use it in formal writing.
س: هل “gonna” صحيح؟
ج: يستخدم في الكلام غير الرسمي؛ تجنّبه في الكتابة الرسمية.
Q: “going to go” sounds repeated. Is it correct?
A: Yes, it’s natural: I’m going to go home.
س: عبارة “going to go” مكررة؟ هل هي صحيحة؟
ج: نعم طبيعية: سأذهب إلى المنزل.