I'm going to (do)

Plans and Intentions

I am going to do something means you have already decided to do it. You intend to do it.

Are you going to eat anything? — No, I’m not hungry.
I hear Sarah got promoted. What is she going to do with the extra budget? — She’s going to hire a contractor.
I’m just going to make a quick phone call. Can you wait for me?
This report has too many errors. I’m not going to send it to the client yet.

These two forms are close in meaning but not identical.

Form	Meaning	Example
I am doing	It is already fixed or arranged.	I’m flying to Tokyo next week. I’ve booked my ticket.
I am going to do	I’ve decided to do it. Maybe I’ve arranged it, maybe not.	The office layout is bad. I’m going to reorganize it.

Compare these two sentences:

I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow. (= I don’t know my schedule)
I don’t know what I’m going to do about the staffing problem. (= I haven’t decided yet)

Often the difference is small and either form works.

You can say that something is going to happen when the current situation makes it clear.

Look at those dark clouds. It’s going to rain. (you can see the clouds now)
I feel terrible. I think I’m going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)
The sales numbers are bad this quarter and things are going to get worse.
It’s 8:45 and the meeting starts at 9:00, but Tom hasn’t left home yet. He is going to be late.

The key idea: you see something now that tells you what will happen next.

I was going to do something means you intended to do it but didn’t do it.

We were going to hold the meeting in person, but then we decided to do it online instead.
I was just going to leave the office when my manager asked me to stay.
I was going to call the supplier, but I sent them an email instead.

You can also say that something was going to happen but didn’t:

I thought the project was going to take three months, but we finished it in six weeks.

Question 1

Your shoes are dirty. — Yes, I know. I _____ them this evening.

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Question 2

Look at all that paperwork on his desk. He _____ late tonight.

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Question 3

We _____ by train, but then we decided to drive instead.

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Question 4

I've been offered a new position, but I _____ it. The commute is too long.

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Question 5

There's a hole in the boat and water is coming in fast. The boat _____!

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