80 Going To Question Examples

In English, expressing future actions, future plans or future decisions often involves using the phrase ‘going to’ , making it an essential part of daily communication.

Whether you’re planning a meeting, contemplating future goals, or just discussing weekend plans, understanding how to use “going to” in questions is crucial.

In this guide, we look at and explain how to use “going to” questions, helping you to not only understand them but use them like native speaker.

We also have two free printable “going to questions’ handouts and worksheets for you in the article as well.

Understanding ‘Going to’ Questions

The phrase “going to” isn’t just about physical movement; it’s a versatile tool in English grammar for talking about the future.

Unlike the simple future tense with “will,” which often implies a decision made at the moment of speaking, “going to” is used for plans or intentions that are already in place.

Imagine you’ve decided to watch a movie tonight – that’s a perfect scenario for “going to.”

It’s about having a plan or a clear intention.

• Example: “I’m going to watch a movie tonight.” This implies a pre-existing plan.

But it’s not just about what you are going to do. When asking others about their plans or intentions, the structure of “going to” changes slightly.

This is where we step into the realm of questions – and there are two main types: open and closed.

• Open questions invite more elaborate answers,
• while closed questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

In the next sections, we’ll explore these two types in detail, providing you with the structures and tools to form these questions confidently.

Get ready to boost your conversation skills!

Structure of ‘Going to’ Questions

Understanding the structure of ‘going to’ questions is key to using them correctly.

Let’s break it down.

Closed Questions (to be questions)

These are straightforward: they can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

The structure is simple: start with a form of the verb ‘to be’ (am/is/are), followed by the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they), then ‘going to’ and the main verb.

• Examples:
  • “Are you going to attend the meeting tomorrow?”
  • “Is she going to start a new job soon?”

Open Questions (who, what, where, when, why and how)

Open questions require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, inviting elaboration.

Open questions and going to begin with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how), followed by ‘to be’, the subject, ‘going to’, and the main verb.

• Examples:
  • “What are you going to do this weekend?”
  • “How is he going to solve that issue?”

Practical Applications of ‘Going to’ Questions

‘Going to’ questions are incredibly versatile and can be used in various contexts.

Let’s look at some practical applications in different scenarios:

You can also download these examples on the link below, and further down we have a free worksheet for you to try out for yourself or your students as well 🙂

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General Daily Plans

1. What are you going to do after work today?
2. Are you going to cook dinner tonight?
3. What time are you going to wake up tomorrow?
4. Are you going to meet any friends this weekend?
5. How are you going to spend your evening?
6. Are you going to try any new recipes this week?
7. What time are you going to start your workout tomorrow?
8. Are you going to shop for groceries this weekend?
9. How are you going to organize your room?
10. What are you going to wear for the event next week?

Travel and Vacations

1. Where are you going to travel on your next vacation?
2. When are you going to book your flights?
3. Are you going to stay in a hotel or a vacation rental?
4. What activities are you going to do there?
5. How are you going to get to the airport?
6. Are you going to visit any museums or historical sites?
7. How are you going to pack for your trip?
8. What local cuisine are you going to try?
9. Are you going to use public transport or rent a car?
10. How are you going to stay in touch with family while traveling?

Education and Studies

1. What are you going to study next semester?
2. Are you going to join any clubs or societies at school?
3. How are you going to prepare for your exams?
4. Which subjects are you going to choose next year?
5. Are you going to study abroad at any point?
6. Are you going to study with friends or alone?
7. What are you going to do for your major project?
8. How are you going to balance work and studies?
9. Are you going to attend any workshops or seminars?
10. What strategies are you going to use to improve your grades?

Career and Professional Goals

1. What are you going to do to advance in your career?
2. Are you going to apply for any new positions?
3. How are you going to improve your professional skills?
4. When are you going to start your own business?
5. Are you going to attend any networking events?
6. Are you going to ask for a promotion this year?
7. How are you going to expand your professional network?
8. What new skills are you going to learn for your job?
9. Are you going to seek mentorship for career guidance?
10. How are you going to handle work-life balance?

Health and Fitness

1. How often are you going to exercise each week?
2. What kind of diet are you going to follow?
3. Are you going to join a gym or workout at home?
4. How are you going to manage stress?
5. Are you going to participate in any sports or fitness challenges?
6. What new exercise routines are you going to try?
7. Are you going to track your daily water intake?
8. How are you going to motivate yourself to stay fit?
9. What healthy snacks are you going to include in your diet?
10. Are you going to set any specific fitness goals?

Hobbies and Leisure

1. What new hobby are you going to try?
2. Are you going to finish reading any book soon?
3. How often are you going to practice your musical instrument?
4. Are you going to join any community clubs or groups?
5. What movies or series are you going to watch this month?

Personal Growth and Development

1. What personal goals are you going to set for yourself this year?
2. How are you going to improve your time management?
3. Are you going to learn a new language?
4. What steps are you going to take for self-improvement?
5. How are you going to balance work and personal life?
6. Are you going to start journaling or meditating?
7. What new habits are you going to adopt for a better lifestyle?
8. How are you going to challenge yourself creatively?
9. Are you going to attend any personal development courses?
10. What are you going to do to improve your mental health?

Social and Relationships

1. Are you going to attend any social events soon?
2. How are you going to strengthen your friendships?
3. Are you going to visit your family members this year?
4. What plans are you going to make for your anniversary?
5. How are you going to resolve any ongoing conflicts?
6. Are you going to organize any get-togethers with friends?
7. How are you going to make new friends in your community?
8. What steps are you going to take to strengthen your relationships?
9. Are you going to volunteer for any community services?
10. How are you going to celebrate your next family gathering?

Understanding how to tailor ‘going to’ questions to different scenarios enhances your communication skills, making your conversations more dynamic and engaging.

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

Even the most seasoned English speakers can stumble when it comes to ‘going to’ questions.

Let’s look at some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Incorrect Verb Form Usage

A frequent error is using the wrong form of the verb ‘to be’ with ‘going to’. Remember, the form of ‘to be’ should agree with the subject.

Tip: Double-check the subject of your sentence. Is it ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’, ‘we’, or ‘they’? Ensure the verb ‘to be’ matches accordingly.

Mixing Up ‘Going to’ with ‘Will’

‘Going to’ and ‘will’ are both used for future actions, but they’re not always interchangeable. ‘Will’ is often for spontaneous decisions or predictions, while ‘going to’ is for planned actions or intentions.

Tip: Ask yourself if the action is a planned decision or a spontaneous one. Use ‘going to’ for the former and ‘will’ for the latter.

Interactive Exercises

To solidify your understanding of ‘going to’ questions, let’s put theory into practice with some interactive exercises:

1. Fill-in-the-Blanks
   • Try completing sentences with the correct form of ‘going to’ questions.
   • Example: “What ___ you ___ ___ do tomorrow?” (are, going to)
2. Question Formation Practice
   • Take a few statements and turn them into both open and closed ‘going to’ questions.
   • Example: Statement: “She is going to start a new job.” Questions: “Is she going to start a new job?” / “When is she going to start her new job?”

You can download our “going to Questions” Worksheet under the image below if you want to try of use with your students.

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These exercises will help you become more comfortable with ‘going to’ question structures, enhancing your conversational skills in English.

Advanced Usage

While the basics of ‘going to’ questions are straightforward, there are nuances that can make your English sound more natural and fluent.

Rhetorical Use of ‘Going to’ Questions

Rhetorical questions using “going to” are a powerful linguistic tool, often employed to make a statement rather than to solicit an actual response.

These questions are used for emphasis, to provoke thought, or to highlight a point or issue.

They are particularly effective in persuasive writing or speaking, debates, and in situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the inevitability or importance of an event or action.

1. Emphasizing a Point
   • Example: “Are we really going to let this opportunity pass us by?”
   • Usage: Here, the speaker knows the answer and uses the question to emphasize the importance of seizing the opportunity.
2. Provoking Thought or Debate
   • Example: “Are we going to accept these changes without any resistance?”
   • Usage: This question is used to provoke thought or debate, urging the audience to consider their stance on the issue.
3. Highlighting Inevitability
   • Example: “Are they going to win the championship again this year?”
   • Usage: This question might be used to highlight the perceived inevitability of an outcome, often based on previous patterns or strengths.

Informal/Slang Usage of ‘Going to’

In informal speech and writing, “going to” is often contracted to “gonna.”

This contraction is a part of colloquial language and is widely accepted in casual conversation, texting, and in informal digital communication.

However, it’s important to note that “gonna” should be avoided in formal writing and professional contexts.

1. Conversational Speech
   • Example: “Are you gonna go to the party tonight?”
   • Usage: Used in everyday conversation among friends, family, or in informal settings.
2. Texting and Online Communication
   • Example: “What are you gonna do about it?”
   • Usage: Common in texting or online chats, where informal and abbreviated language is the norm.
3. Informal Writing
   • Example: “He’s gonna be a great player someday.”
   • Usage: Sometimes used in informal writing, like personal blogs or creative writing, to convey a conversational tone.

Understanding these advanced nuances of “going to” questions allows for more expressive and context-appropriate communication.

Rhetorical usage adds depth and emphasis, while understanding the informal use of “gonna” helps in adapting language to casual settings.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of ‘going to’ questions in English might seem challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature.

These questions are a key part of expressing future intentions and plans, and mastering them enhances both your written and spoken English.

With these tools in hand, you’re well on your way to fluency and confidence in using ‘going to’ questions.

So, what are you going to do next with your new language skills?

Further Resources

• https://www.liveworksheets.com/w/en/english-second-language-esl/93897
• https://esldiscussions.com/grammar/going_to.html
• https://eslvault.com/going-to-questions/