going to be shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to be shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expressing that they will be photographed or filmed, or in a more serious context, indicating that someone is in danger of being shot. Example: "If he doesn't leave the gang, he is going to be shot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Personal Narratives

War & Conflict

Crime & Law Enforcement

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were probably going to be shot".

The New Yorker

"Am I going to be shot?

The New York Times - Sports

"We didn't know if we were going to be shot".

The New York Times

Are they going to be shot by police too?

The Guardian

I have no expectation I'm going to be shot.

The Guardian

You don't know how it's going to be shot.

The New York Times

I don't think my brother thought he was going to be shot.

Independent

A second elephant is going to be shot and given to the Victoria Falls community.

Independent

I was thinking, 'I am going to be shot, killed', I had no idea.

Independent

"Suppose your Aunt Dahlia read in the paper that you were going to be shot at sunrise". "I couldn't be.

Stanford University

Mr. Strignano said he was afraid he was also going to be shot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use "going to be shot" to build suspense or foreshadow danger, carefully considering the emotional impact on the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "going to be shot" in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as referring to photography or filming, particularly without clarifying details. Providing specific details will remove the ambiguity of potential danger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to be shot" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating a future action directed at the subject. Ludwig examples show it expressing potential danger or planned actions, such as filming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Film

15%

Personal Narratives

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going to be shot" is a versatile expression with two primary meanings: a literal threat of violence and a planned act of filming. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. Understanding the context is crucial to avoid ambiguity, and less direct alternatives may be preferable in formal settings. Use this phrase carefully, paying attention to the potential impact and clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to be shot

Emphasizes the imminence of the action, suggesting it will happen very soon.

likely to be shot

Indicates a high probability of being shot, but not a certainty.

in danger of being shot

Highlights the state of being at risk, focusing on the potential threat.

at risk of being shot

Similar to 'in danger', emphasizing the vulnerability to being shot.

destined to be shot

Suggests an inevitable fate of being shot, implying a lack of control.

slated to be filmed

Refers specifically to the action of filming or photographing something, rather than literal shooting.

planned to be filmed

Indicates that there's a plan to film something, focusing on the intent.

expected to be rejected

Shifts the meaning to the rejection of an idea or proposal, metaphorically 'shot down'.

likely to be turned down

Implies a high probability of rejection, similar to 'expected to be rejected'.

bound to be defeated

Suggests an inevitable loss or failure, akin to a proposal being 'shot down'.

FAQs

How can I use "going to be shot" in a sentence?

You can use "going to be shot" to express a threat of violence, as in "If he doesn't cooperate, he's "going to be shot"". Alternatively, it can refer to filming, as in "The scene is "going to be shot" tomorrow".

What's a less direct way to say "going to be shot" when referring to violence?

Instead of "going to be shot", you could say "in "danger of being shot"" or "at "risk of being shot"" to soften the impact.

Is it correct to use "going to be shot" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, the formality depends on the context. In formal reports, "at "risk of being shot"" or "in "danger of being shot"" might be more appropriate. It is important to assess if the topic is too violent for the formal context.

What's the difference between "going to be shot" and "about to be shot"?

"Going to be shot" indicates a future possibility, whereas "about to be shot" suggests the action is imminent, happening very soon.