FUTURE IDIOMATIC (ENGLISH): STRUCTURE AND EXAMPLES - LITERATURE

The idiomatic future in English is formed with the structure to be + going to followed by a verb in its simple form and is used to indicate future events with implications of compulsion, determination, need or obligation.

This structure shows a slight difference with the formula will + verb which is also used to indicate future actions. In this sense, in most cases they can be used interchangeably with no difference in meaning. For example, both are valid in the case of predictions.

Examples of idomatic future

However, the idiomatic future is used especially when talking about decisions before the moment it is spoken or when there is a possibility that something will happen.

This idiomatic future is made up of three elements. In the first place, there is the verb to be (to be) that must be conjugated. (must be in accordance with the subject).

Then, the verb go (to go) must be placed in a gerund together with the particle to. Finally, the main verb is placed in its simple form. In Spanish, it translates to go to (eat, dance, play).

As in all languages, the form to be going to has undergone variations. Thus, in informal contexts it is common for it to be replaced by the form gonna.

Thus, for example, the informal / colloquial version of the sentence They are going to get married in July would be They're gonna get married in July.

Structure of the idiomatic future

Affirmative sentences

The affirmative sentences of the future idiomatic in English have the following format: subject + verb to be (conjugated) + verb go (gerund) + to + verb (simple form). The sentences below serve as examples:

Paul is going to buy a car (Paul is going to buy a car).
I am going to write a letter.
We are going to fix that (We are going to fix that).

On the other hand, when the subject is a pronoun, it and the conjugated form of the verb to be can be contracted. Then the combinations I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are and they are become I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're and they're, respectively. Notice these sentences:

You're going to stay here.
She's going to have a baby.
They're going to eat pizza.

Additionally, there is a contraction used in oral speech in more informal situations, as already mentioned, particularly in American English.

The gonna form is also used in written texts, usually in quotation marks, to show conversational pronunciation. Some examples include:

She's gonna leave.
It's gonna rain.
I'm gonna try.

Negative sentences

The format of negative sentences in the future idiom in English is similar to that of affirmative. The difference is that the negation adverb not is added between the verb to be and the gerund form of the verb to go: subject + verb to be (conjugated) + NOT + verb go (gerund) + to + verb (simple form). The previous sentences would look like this:

Paul is going not to buy a car (Paul is not going to buy a car).
I am not going to write a letter.
We are not going to fix that (We are not going to fix that).
I'm not gonna try.

Similarly, there are contracted forms. The subject pronouns and the conjugated form of the verb to be can be contracted and then added the particle not (I'm not, you're v, he's not, she's not, it's not, we're not and they're not). Or, you can contract the verb to be and the adverb of negation like this:

You aren't going to stay here (You aren't going to stay here).
She isn't going to have a baby (She isn't going to have a baby).
They aren't going to eat pizza.
She isn't gonna leave.
It isn't gonna rain.

Interrogative sentences

The interrogative sentences of the future idiom are formed by reversing the order of the subject and the verb to be, keeping the rest of the structure intact.

In this way, its format is: verb to be (conjugated) + subject + verb go (gerund) + to + verb (simple form) + question mark (?). In this way, the previous sentences would look like this:

Is Paul going to buy a car? (Is Paul going to buy a car?).
Am I going to write a letter? (I am going to write a letter?).
Are we going to fix that? (Are we going to fix that?).
Are you going to stay here? (Are you going to stay here?).
Is she going to have a baby? (Is she going to have a baby?).
Are they going to eat pizza? (Are they going to eat pizza?).
Is she gonna leave? (Is she going to leave?)
Is it gonna rain? (It will rain?).
Am I gonna try? (I'll try?).

Examples

Night Shift (2008)

Stephen King

“… It may be because the horror writer always brings bad news: you're going to die, he says; he's telling you to never mind Oral Roberts and his ' something good is going to happen to you,' because something bad is also going to happen to you, and it may be cancer and it may be a stroke, and it may be a car accident, but it's going to happen … ”.

“I have paused, relishing Warwick's hate-congested face. «I think that between me, him, and the town committee, we can get an injunction slapped on this place. You're going to be shut down a lot longer than just Saturday, Mr. Foreman. And I got a good idea what your boss is going to say when he turns up. Hope your unemployment insurance is paid up, Warwick… ».

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (2011)

Roald dahl

' How are you going to get him up to the hotel ?' the paunchy man asked. `Drag him up the beach with the rope, 'the fisherman answered. 'The staff'll be coming along soon to take him. It's going to need ten men, all pulling at once '… ”

References

Education First. (s / f). Immediate future. Taken from ef.edu/english-resources.
Coates, G. and Murueta, J. (2015). Verbomania ESL: Improve Your English. Acapulco: Murueta.
British Council. (s / f). Talking about the future. Taken from learnenglish.britishcouncil.org.
Education First. (s / f). Future. Taken from ef.edu.
Cambridge Dictionary. (s / f). Future: be going to (I am going to work). Taken from dictionary.cambridge.org.
Elliott McCall, J. (2018). Verbs and Modals - A Complete Guide. North Carolina: Lulu.com.

FUTURE IDIOMATIC (ENGLISH): STRUCTURE AND EXAMPLES - LITERATURE - 2025