he is going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is going to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express something that is planned or anticipated to happen in the future. Example: He is going to start his new job next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is going to talk".

The New York Times

He is going to skate.

The New York Times - Sports

He is going to a strong league.

Independent

But he is going to try.

The Economist

He is going to need them.

The Economist

He is going to be very upset.

The New York Times

He is going to get this message.

Independent

"He is going to play Bach.

The New Yorker

"He is going to continue with us".

Independent

"He is going to be very depressed".

The New York Times

He is going to be amazed".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a firm commitment or formal arrangement, consider alternatives like "he will" or "he is scheduled to".

Common error

While "he is going to" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more concise alternatives like "he will" or "he shall" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he is going to" is to form the future tense. This construction indicates a planned or intended action, as showcased by Ludwig's numerous examples. It expresses what the subject intends to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is going to" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express future intentions, plans, or predictions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "he will" might be preferred in certain situations. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in general communication. While acceptable in most scenarios, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing. "He is going to" is a versatile and reliable way to convey future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he will

Uses a simpler future tense construction with "will" instead of "is going to".

he's about to

Indicates an action that is imminent or very near in the future.

he shall

Employs "shall" to express future tense, often indicating a stronger sense of determination or a more formal tone.

he intends to

Focuses on the intention or plan to perform an action.

he plans to

Similar to "he intends to", but emphasizes the planning aspect of the future action.

he is planning on

Expresses the intent to perform an action with the added emphasis on the planning.

he is scheduled to

Suggests that the action is part of a predetermined schedule or arrangement.

he is due to

Similar to "he is scheduled to", indicating an expected or obligated action.

he's set to

Informal way of saying something is scheduled or arranged.

he is to

Formal way of expressing a future arrangement or instruction.

FAQs

How can I use "he is going to" in a sentence?

Use "he is going to" to express a future plan or intention. For example, "He is going to travel to Europe next summer" indicates a planned trip.

What is the difference between "he is going to" and "he will"?

"He is going to" implies a plan or intention, while "he will" expresses a general future action or prediction. The difference is subtle, but "he is going to" often carries a stronger sense of prior decision.

What can I say instead of "he is going to"?

You can use alternatives like "he will", "he's about to", or "he intends to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "he gonna" an acceptable alternative to "he is going to"?

"He gonna" is a very informal contraction of "he is going to" and is generally not appropriate for formal writing or speech. It's best to reserve "he gonna" for casual conversations.