I am going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am going to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a future intention or plan. Example: "I am going to start my new job next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am going to try.

The New York Times - Sports

I am going to die.

The New Yorker

I am going to think about it".

The New York Times - Sports

I thought I am going to Mecca.

The New Yorker

I am going to accomplish many things!

The New York Times

I am going to hit you".

The New York Times

"I am going to object every time".

The New York Times

I am going to kill him myself.

Independent

Well I am going to be heard".

Independent

I am going to keep himforever.

The New Yorker

I am going to win that bicycle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am going to" to clearly express future intentions or plans. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive repetition of "I am going to" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "I will" or "I plan to" for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am going to" functions as a future tense construction, indicating an intention or plan to perform an action. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am going to" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express future intentions or plans. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it is suitable for most contexts, including news and media, it's important to be mindful of the potential for overuse and to consider more formal alternatives when appropriate. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I will

Shorter, more direct expression of future action.

I plan to

Similar in meaning, focusing on planned action.

I intend to

Formal alternative emphasizing intention.

It is my intention to

More formal and emphatic way of expressing intention.

I'm about to

Indicates immediate future action.

I'm preparing to

Emphasizes the preparation for a future action.

I expect to

Highlights expectation of future action.

I anticipate

Similar to expect, but slightly more formal.

I'm on the verge of

Implies being close to starting something.

I'm setting out to

Suggests a deliberate commencement of action.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "I am going to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I intend to", "It is my intention to", or "I plan to". Each of these options conveys a similar meaning while adding a touch of formality.

What's the difference between "I am going to" and "I will"?

"I am going to" expresses a pre-existing plan or intention, while "I will" can express a spontaneous decision or promise. For example, "I am going to visit my family next week (because I've already planned it)", versus "I will help you with that (said spontaneously)".

Can I use "I am going to" in professional writing?

Yes, "I am going to" is perfectly acceptable in professional writing, especially when outlining plans or intentions. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone, and consider more formal alternatives like "I intend to" if appropriate.

What can I say instead of "I am going to" to sound more immediate?

If you want to express a sense of immediacy, you could use phrases like "I'm about to" or "I'm on the verge of". These phrases suggest that the action is about to happen very soon.