lam going to do something = | have already decided to do it, | intend to do it: “Are you going to eat anything?’ 'No, I'm not hungry’ x | hear Sarah has won some money. What is she going to do with it? She's going to buy @ new car. I'm Just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me? This cheese smells horrible, I'm not going to eat it Lam doing and lam going to do We use lam doing (present continuous) when we say what we have arranged to do — for example, arranged to meet somebody, arranged to go somewhere: ‘What time are you meeting Ann this evening? I'm leaving tomorrow. I've got my plane ticket lam going to do something = 've decided to do it (but perhaps not arranged to do it): "Your shoes are dirty.” "Yes, I know. I'm going to clean them.” (= I've decided to clean them, but | haven't arranged to clean them) I've decided not to stay here any longer. Tomorrow I'm going to look for sornewhere. else to stay. Often the difference is very small and either form is possible. You can also say that something is going to happen’ in the future. For example The man isn't looking where he is going He is going to walk into the wall When we say that ‘something is going to happen’, the situation now makes this clear. The man is walking ‘towards the wall now, so we can see that he is going to walk into it 2 le going to W situation now future happening Some more examples: Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain. (the clouds are there now) [feel terrible. | think i'm going to be sick. (| feel terrible now) ‘The economic situation is bad now and things are going to get worse | was going to do something =| intended to do it, but didn’t do It: ‘We were going to travel by train, but then we decided to go by car instead, Peter was going to do the exam, but he changed his mind. | was just going to cross the cad when somebody shouted ‘Stop!” You can say that ‘something was going to happen’ (but didn’t happen}: | thought it was going to rain, but it didn'tExercises GB write « question with going to foreach situation, 1 Your friend has won some money. You ask (what / do with it?) ..Whad are you going to do with it? 2. Your friend is going to a party tonight. You ask (what / weer?) 2. Your friend has just bought a new table. You ask: (where / put it?) 4 Your friend has decided to have a party. You ask: (who / invite?) EBD Read the situations and complete the dialogues. Use going to. 1. You have decided to clean your room this morning, FRIEND: Are you going out this morning? vou: No," going to clean my room. 2 You bought a sweater, but it doesn't fit you very well. You have decided to take it back tothe shop Frieno: That sweater is too big for you. vou: Iknow. 3. You have been offered a job, but you have decided not to accept it. FRIEND: | hear you've been offered a job. vou: That's right, but 4 You have to phone Sarah, it’s morning now, and you have decided to phone her tonight. Faieno: Have you phoned Sarah yet? vou: No, 5 You are in a restaurant. The food is awful and you've decided to complain. Faieno: This food is avrful, isn't it? vou: Yes, it's disgusting. (EB What is going to happen in these situations? Use the words in brackets 1. There ere a fot of black clouds in the sky. (ain) 185 going te rain. 2 It's 8.30. Tom is leaving his house. He has to be at work at 8.45, but the journey takes 30 minutes (late) He 3. There is 2 hole in the bottom of the boet, A lot of water is coming in through the hole. (sink) The boat 4 Lucy and Chris are driving, There is very little petrol left in the tank. The nearest petrol station is a long wey anay. (runout) They EDD complete the sentences with was/were going to + the following verbs iy een ions play, ay want We were going to travel. by train, but then we decided to go by car instead. 21 some naw clothes yesterday, but | was very busy anct didn't have time to go to the shops. 3 Oliver andt tennis last week, but he had to cancel because he'd hurt his knee. 4 Jane, but | decided to email her instead. 5: When | last sawTim, he his job. 1: That's right, but in the end he decided to stay where he was. I'm sorry | interrupted you. What you ?