be going to
About to do
Be going to expresses future intention or prediction.
For plans already decided: I'm going to call her tomorrow.
For predictions based on present evidence: Look at those clouds—it's going to rain.
The construction emphasizes connection to present circumstances, distinguishing it from will, which treats the future more abstractly.
In casual speech, going to often reduces to gonna.
- gonnaCasual "will" contraction
- willFaculty of deliberate choice
- planningArranging for future events
- intendingHaving a plan
- about toPoised to act
any minute now · about to happen · soon · future · heading · preparing · expect · anticipate · tomorrow · destined · bound · scheduled · aiming · meaning to · fixing to · ready · determined · decided