going to do now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to do now" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks proper grammatical structure.
It can be used in informal spoken contexts, but it should be rephrased for clarity in writing. Example: "I am going to do now what I promised earlier."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What are we going to do now?

The New Yorker

What was he going to do now?

The New York Times

"What am I going to do now?

The New York Times

"But what's she going to do now?

The New York Times

That's what we're going to do now.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So, what's Gwyneth going to do now?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That's what I'm going to do now.

The New York Times - Sports

"Racing's all I'm going to do now.

The Guardian - Sport

"What are you going to do now?" he asked.

The New York Times - Sports

"What is she going to do now?" she asked.

The New York Times

"Who knows what we're going to do now?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity in formal writing, rephrase sentences using "going to do now" to include a subject and verb, such as "I am going to do now..." or "We are going to do now...".

Common error

Avoid using "going to do now" without a clear subject. This omission can lead to ambiguity and make your writing seem incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to do now" functions as part of a verb phrase indicating future action or intention. While grammatically questionable, Ludwig examples show it often appears in questions or statements expressing immediate plans. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "going to do now" appears frequently in various sources, particularly in news and academic contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The primary issue is the omission of a subject and verb, leading to incomplete sentences. Although prevalent in informal conversation, formal writing requires restructuring sentences with a clear subject, such as "I am going to do now..." or "We are going to do now...". Alternatives like "What's next?" or "What should I do next?" can provide clearer and more grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What am I doing next?

Focuses on the immediate future action.

What will I proceed to do?

Emphasizes a formal transition to a subsequent action.

What should I undertake next?

Highlights the initiation of a new task or venture.

What's the next course of action?

Implies a planned sequence of steps.

Where do I go from here?

Suggests a need for direction or a change in strategy.

What steps should I take next?

Focuses on sequential actions and planning.

What do I plan to do afterward?

Highlights planned actions following a specific event.

What's my next move?

Suggests a strategic or tactical progression.

How do I advance from this point?

Implies forward movement or progress from a current situation.

What's the subsequent activity?

Focuses on the immediate follow-up task or event.

FAQs

Is "going to do now" grammatically correct?

No, "going to do now" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It lacks a subject and verb. For example, instead of saying "going to do now," you should say "I am going to do now what I promised earlier."

How can I rephrase "going to do now" to be more grammatically sound?

To make "going to do now" grammatically correct, include a subject and verb. For example, "I am going to do now what I promised earlier" or "We are planning to do now what was discussed."

What are some alternatives to "going to do now" that provide similar meaning?

Alternatives include phrases like "What am I doing next?", "What's the next course of action?", or "Where do I go from here?". These options clarify the intended action or plan.

In what contexts is it acceptable to use "going to do now"?

While generally incorrect for formal writing, "going to do now" may be acceptable in informal spoken contexts or casual conversation. However, for professional or academic writing, it's best to use a more grammatically correct alternative.