is going to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is going to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the future tense of a verb, such as "She is going to visit her grandparents tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everything is going to change.

The New Yorker

K104 is going to Ethiopia.

The New Yorker

Nobody is going to overpay.

The New York Times

Something is going to happen.

The New Yorker

He is going to talk".

The New York Times

"France is going to endure.

The New Yorker

He is going to skate.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is going to work".

The New York Times - Magazine

That is going to happen.

The New York Times

This is going to happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing is going to happen".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is going to" to express future intentions, predictions, or plans. It's versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "is going to" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less sophisticated. Consider using "will" or more specific verbs like "intends" or "plans" for a polished style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is going to" functions primarily as a future tense construction, indicating an action or event that will occur in the future. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples, showing its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is going to" is a very common and grammatically sound construction used to express future intentions, plans, or predictions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for a wide range of contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations. While being grammatically "correct", it's important to consider the tone and context of your writing. For example, using "will" or more specific verbs like "intends" could enhance the sophistication of formal pieces. Given its widespread use and clear function, "is going to" remains a reliable choice for expressing future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will

Expresses future tense more directly, often used for simple predictions or planned actions.

shall

Indicates future tense, mostly used in formal contexts or for suggestions with 'we' or 'I'.

is about to

Indicates an action that will happen very soon or in the immediate future.

intends to

Highlights a planned or intended future action, focusing on the subject's intention.

plans to

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

is planning on

Similar to "plans to", but expressed using a continuous form emphasizing the planning activity.

is set to

Indicates that something is scheduled or arranged to happen at a specific time.

is scheduled to

Formally announces that an event is officially planned for a future date.

is due to

Suggests that something is expected to happen based on a schedule or prior arrangement.

is on the verge of

Indicates that something is very close to happening, often implying a significant change or event.

FAQs

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

"Is going to" is used to express future intentions or predictions. For example, "She "is going to" travel to Europe next year" indicates a future plan.

What are some alternatives to "is going to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "will", "shall", "intends to", or "is about to". Each carries slightly different nuances in formality and certainty.

Is there a difference between using "will" and "is going to"?

While both express future tense, "will" often implies a spontaneous decision or general prediction, whereas "is going to" suggests a pre-existing plan or strong intention. For example, "I will help you" (spontaneous) vs. "I "am going to" help you" (planned).

When should I avoid using "is going to" in writing?

In highly formal or academic writing, consider more concise or sophisticated alternatives like "will", "intends to", or "is scheduled to" to maintain a formal tone.