it is going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is going to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a future action or event that is expected to happen. Example: "It is going to rain tomorrow, so don't forget your umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She thinks it is going to Venice.

The New Yorker

It is going to take some time".

Independent

"It is going to change snooker.

Independent

It is going to be yourself.

The New Yorker

It is going to pause and regroup".

The New York Times

So it is going to work".

The New York Times

"It is going to be really painful".

The New York Times

"And it is going to catch up".

The New York Times - Science

It is going to be moving around.

The New Yorker

"It is going to get ugly".

The New York Times

It is going to over-block.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is going to", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by being specific about the subject performing the action.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "it is going to" in formal documents can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for more concise alternatives like "it will" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is going to" functions as a future tense construction in English grammar. It is used to express intentions, predictions, or expectations about what will happen in the future. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is going to" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to express future actions or events. According to Ludwig, it's correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is frequently employed in news and media, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "it will" in professional contexts. Though versatile, ensuring clarity by explicitly stating what "it" refers to is paramount. Ludwig’s analysis confirms the phrase’s overall utility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will

More concise and direct way to express future intent or prediction.

it is set to

Indicates a scheduled or planned future event.

it is bound to

Suggests that the future event is highly probable.

it shall

A more formal or archaic way to indicate a future event.

it is scheduled to

Specifies that an event is officially planned for the future.

it is destined to

Implies that the future event is unavoidable or predetermined.

it's about to

Indicates that something is imminent or will happen very soon.

it's on the verge of

Highlights that an event is very close to occurring.

the future holds

A more figurative way to discuss what will happen.

it may

Indicates a possibility rather than a certainty.

FAQs

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

Use "it is going to" to express a future action or event that is expected to happen. For example, "It is going to rain later today" indicates an expected future occurrence.

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

You can use alternatives like "it will", "it shall", or "it is set to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it is going to" or "it will"?

Both are grammatically correct. "It is going to" is slightly more informal and emphasizes intent or likelihood, while "it will" is more direct and concise.

What's the difference between "it is going to" and "it's about to"?

"It is going to" implies a future action or event, while "it's about to" suggests that something will happen very soon or is imminent.