going to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a future event or occurrence that is expected to take place. Example: "The meeting is scheduled for next week, and important decisions are going to happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Something's going to happen".

The New York Times

It's going to happen".

The New York Times

That's going to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing's going to happen".

The New York Times

Wasn't going to happen.

The New Yorker

"Ain't going to happen.

The New York Times - Food

What's going to happen?

The New Yorker

Things are going to happen.

Independent

That was going to happen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Is that going to happen?

The New Yorker

"Yes, it's going to happen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to happen" to describe events that are highly probable or expected based on current conditions or plans.

Common error

While "going to happen" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using alternatives like "will occur" or "is anticipated" in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to happen" functions as a future tense construction indicating that an event is expected or likely to occur. This is evident from Ludwig examples, which show it being used to predict or anticipate future situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going to happen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express future events that are anticipated or considered likely. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable across diverse contexts. However, while prevalent in news and general conversation, it may be prudent to consider more formal alternatives like "will occur" in academic or highly professional settings. With its ubiquitous usage and clear meaning, "going to happen" remains a reliable option for conveying future expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is set to happen

Indicates a scheduled or predetermined event.

is bound to happen

Implies a strong sense of inevitability or destiny.

is about to occur

Suggests that something will happen very soon.

is destined to occur

Emphasizes a predetermined or inevitable future.

will occur

Uses a more formal verb to indicate a future event.

is anticipated to happen

Formally expresses an expectation of a future event.

will transpire

Emphasizes the unfolding of events, often in a formal context.

is in the cards

Indicates that something is probable or destined to happen.

will come to pass

A more literary or archaic way of saying something will happen.

is on the horizon

Suggests something is likely to happen in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "going to happen" in a sentence?

Use "going to happen" to describe a future event that you expect to occur. For instance, "Changes are "going to happen" within the organization soon".

What's a more formal way to say "going to happen"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "will occur", "is anticipated to occur", or "is expected to take place" instead of ""going to happen"".

Is "going to happen" interchangeable with "will happen"?

While similar, ""going to happen"" often implies a stronger sense of immediacy or certainty based on present conditions compared to "will happen".

What does it mean when someone says "That's not going to happen"?

It means that the speaker believes an event is impossible or highly improbable. For example, "A reconciliation between them? That's not "going to happen"".