not going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not going to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a refusal or a decision not to do something in the future. Example: "I am not going to attend the meeting tomorrow because I have other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're not going to–.

Forbes

Not going to lie.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not going to look good".

The New York Times - Tech

Not going to answer me?

The New Yorker

I'm not going to surrender".

The New York Times

We're not going to go".

The New York Times

I'm not going to entertain.

The New York Times

"They're not going to succeed".

The New York Times

"I'm not going to change.

The New York Times - Sports

We're not going to stop.

Independent

"But I'm not going to".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "not going to" with "won't" in informal contexts for brevity. For example, "I won't go" is shorter and more conversational.

Common error

Avoid using "not going to" in very formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "do not intend to" or "will not" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not going to" functions as a future negative construction, indicating a decision or intention not to perform an action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in expressing refusals, predictions, and general future intentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not going to" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express a future intention or decision not to do something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used to indicate a refusal or decision about a future action. While it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, including News & Media, sports, and academia, it's important to note that its register leans towards neutral, erring on the side of informal. Therefore, in highly formal or academic writing, alternatives like "will not" or "do not intend to" may be more appropriate. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "not going to" to convey their intended meaning while maintaining the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will not

Replaces the "going to" construction with the modal verb "will", indicating future refusal or absence of intention.

do not intend to

Formally states the lack of intention to perform an action.

have no intention of

Emphasizes a stronger, more deliberate lack of intention.

am unwilling to

Highlights a refusal based on unwillingness.

refuse to

Directly expresses a firm decision not to do something.

will never

Indicates a future action that will absolutely never happen.

not planning to

Indicates the absence of plans for a particular action.

decline to

A formal way of refusing to do something.

abstain from

Suggests refraining from an action, often in a formal or official context.

avoid

Implies taking measures to prevent an action from occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "not going to" in a sentence?

You can use "not going to" to express future intentions, predictions, or refusals. For example, "I am not going to attend the meeting", or "It's not going to rain today".

What can I say instead of "not going to"?

Alternatives include "will not", "do not intend to", or "refuse to", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not going to" or "not gonna"?

"Not going to" is grammatically correct and suitable for most writing situations. "Not gonna" is an informal contraction and is best reserved for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "not going to" and "will not"?

"Not going to" often implies a planned decision, while "will not" can indicate a stronger refusal or a general future statement. For example, "I am not going to eat that" suggests a prior decision, while "I will not tolerate that behavior" expresses a firm stance.