Hey everyone! Are you ready to learn how to talk about your plans and intentions in English? That’s what we’re going to focus on today! Talking about your intentions is super useful in everyday conversations. Whether you’re making plans with friends, telling someone what you’re going to do later today, or sharing your dreams for the future, knowing how to express your intentions is key to clear communication.

What are Intentions and Why Talk About Them?

So, what exactly are intentions? Simply put, intentions are your plans or what you have decided to do in the future. It’s like saying what you plan to do or what you are going to do. We talk about our intentions all the time! Think about it:

• Making plans with friends: “I’m going to see a movie tonight. Want to join?”
• Talking about your day: “This afternoon, I’m going to study English and then go for a walk.”
• Sharing your goals: “Next year, I want to travel to a new country. I’m going to start saving money.”

Being able to talk about your intentions in English helps you connect with people, organize your life, and share your thoughts and dreams. It’s a really important part of everyday English!

How to Talk About Intentions in English (A1+ Level)

For beginners, the easiest and most common ways to talk about intentions are using “going to” and “will”. Let’s look at each one.

Using “going to” to Talk About Intentions

We use “going to” to talk about intentions that are already planned or decided. Think of it as plans you’ve already made in your head. The structure is simple:

Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Here are some examples of using “going to” to express your intentions:

• I am going to study English tonight. (You’ve already decided you will study English tonight.)
• She is going to visit her grandma next weekend. (Visiting grandma is a planned event for next weekend.)
• They are going to play football after school. (Playing football is their plan after school.)
• We are going to have pizza for dinner. (Pizza for dinner is the plan!)
• He is going to learn to play the guitar. (Learning guitar is something he intends to do.)

Notice how in each example, the intention is something that is already in mind, a pre-arranged plan. We often use “going to” when we’re talking about plans that are quite certain.

Using “will” to Talk About Intentions

We also use “will” to talk about intentions, but often in a slightly different way than “going to.” “Will” can be used for intentions that are more like promises, predictions, or decisions you make right now. For A1+ level, we’ll focus on using “will” for simple promises and spontaneous intentions (decisions made at the moment of speaking).

The structure for “will” is also very simple:

Subject + will + base verb

Let’s see some examples of using “will” to talk about intentions, especially as promises or spontaneous decisions:

• I will help you with your homework. (This is a promise to help.)
• It’s cold! I will close the window. (A spontaneous decision because of the cold.)
• We will see you tomorrow. (A promise or a planned meeting.)
• Don’t worry, I will be careful. (A promise to be careful.)
• The phone is ringing! I will answer it. (A spontaneous reaction to the phone ringing.)

Sometimes, the difference between “going to” and “will” can be a little tricky, but for now, remember: “going to” is great for planned intentions, and “will” can be used for promises and decisions you make right now. As you learn more English, you’ll understand the nuances even better!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Talking About Intentions

It’s normal to make mistakes when you’re learning a new language! Here are a couple of common mistakes learners make when talking about intentions, and how to avoid them:

1. Forgetting “to” after “going to”: It’s important to remember the “to”! Don’t say “I am going go to the park.” Say: “I am going to go to the park.” Always “going to + base verb.”
2. Incorrect form of “be” (am/is/are): Make sure you use the correct form of “be” with “going to.”
   • Correct: I am going to eat. She is going to sing. They are going to dance.
   • Incorrect: I is going to eat. She am going to sing. They is going to dance.
3. Using “will” for very fixed plans: While “will” can sometimes talk about future intentions, for very firm, pre-arranged plans, “going to” is often better. For example, if you have a doctor’s appointment next week, it’s more natural to say: “I am going to see the doctor next week.” (planned) rather than “I will see the doctor next week.” (sounds less planned). But for now, at A1+ level, focus on the basic uses we’ve discussed!

Let’s Practice Talking About Intentions!

Ready to practice? Let’s do some exercises to help you get comfortable talking about your intentions in English!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with “going to” or “will”

Choose the best option, “going to” or “will,” to complete each sentence. Think about whether the intention is a planned one (use “going to”) or more of a promise or spontaneous decision (use “will”).

1. I _______ (visit) my friend tomorrow. (Planned)
2. The phone is ringing! I _______ (answer) it. (Spontaneous decision)
3. She _______ (bake) a cake for the party. (Planned)
4. We _______ (help) you clean up after dinner. (Promise)
5. They _______ (watch) a movie tonight. (Planned)
6. It’s hot in here. I _______ (open) the window. (Spontaneous decision)
7. He _______ (start) learning Spanish next month. (Planned)
8. Don’t worry, I _______ (be) there on time. (Promise)
9. We _______ (travel) to Italy next summer. (Planned)
10. I think it _______ (rain) later. (Prediction, often uses “will” – but for intention in this context, consider “going to” if based on a weather forecast plan to take umbrella) – Let’s simplify and stick to clearer intention examples for A1+.
11. Corrected 10. I _______ (take) an umbrella because it looks like it might rain. (Planned precaution based on observation)

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Using “going to”

Rewrite these sentences using “going to” to talk about planned intentions.

1. My plan is to read a book this evening. -> I _______ read a book this evening.
2. She has decided to call her mother later. -> She _______ call her mother later.
3. They intend to cook dinner tonight. -> They _______ cook dinner tonight.
4. We are planning to go for a walk after work. -> We _______ go for a walk after work.
5. He is thinking of learning to drive. -> He _______ learn to drive.

Answers to Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. I am going to visit my friend tomorrow.
2. The phone is ringing! I will answer it.
3. She is going to bake a cake for the party.
4. We will help you clean up after dinner.
5. They are going to watch a movie tonight.
6. It’s hot in here. I will open the window.
7. He is going to start learning Spanish next month.
8. Don’t worry, I will be there on time.
9. We are going to travel to Italy next summer.
10. I am going to take an umbrella because it looks like it might rain.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Using “going to”

1. My plan is to read a book this evening. -> I am going to read a book this evening.
2. She has decided to call her mother later. -> She is going to call her mother later.
3. They intend to cook dinner tonight. -> They are going to cook dinner tonight.
4. We are planning to go for a walk after work. -> We are going to go for a walk after work.
5. He is thinking of learning to drive. -> He is going to learn to drive.

Boost Your Spoken English and Talk About Your Intentions with Lingofrnd!

Want to practice talking about your intentions and many other topics in English? Check out Lingofrnd.com! Lingofrnd is like having your own AI English speaking teacher in your pocket! It’s a fantastic way to practice speaking English anytime, anywhere. You can practice making sentences about your intentions, ask questions, and get feedback to improve your speaking confidence.

Talking about your intentions is a great step in becoming a confident English speaker. With Lingofrnd, you can practice real conversations and get better at expressing yourself. It’s perfect for practicing what you’ve learned today and much more!

Ready to start practicing speaking English and talking about your intentions? Visit Lingofrnd.com today!

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Continue Learning English with Lingofrnd

Learning English is a journey, and talking about your intentions is just one step. Keep practicing, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to speak! Lingofrnd.com is here to help you every step of the way. Practice talking about your daily plans, your future dreams, and everything in between. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become!

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