*We OFTEN use BE + going to + base infinitive for Future Plans (see my post April 8, 2013).

When we use   BE + going to + base infinitive, it often sounds like ‘gonna‘ + base infinitive. You see  ‘gonna‘ written a lot in songs.  This is okay. However, it is NOT okay to write ‘gonna’ in your English writing.

*We ALSO use BE + going to + base infinitive for Predictions based on evidence (when there is evidence.)  For example,

• you look at the sky and see dark clouds: you say “Oh no, it’s going to rain!” – You know it’s going to rain.
• you’re feeling sick because you drank too much beer: you say ” I’m going to be sick!” You know you’re going to vomit.
• you’ve gambled a lot of money on a horse race and while you are watching the race, you can see that your horse is winning easily: you say ” He‘s going to win!” You know he’s going to win.

In the following song, The Beatles use BE + going to + base infinitive for Prediction. The singer predicts that a man is ‘going to lose that girl’ because he doesn’t treat her well (evidence – he knows what’s going to happen. He also believes that he knows how the girl is going to react. Perhaps he knows that she is unhappy). He also predicts that he, the singer, ‘will take her out and treat her kind’. This is a Prediction, perhaps a promise, but it is not based on evidence, so he uses ‘will’.  He also warns, ‘If you don’t treat her right, my friend, You’re going to find her gone’. This is an example of First Conditional.

Here is the link for the Youtube video: You won’t hear ‘going to’. You will just hear ‘gonna’.  (My prediction!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFxikIlpnFw

Song: You’re going to lose that girl  by The Beatles

You’re going to lose that girl,
You’re going to lose that girl.
If you don’t take her out tonight,
She’s going to change her mind,
And I will take her out tonight,
And I will treat her kind.

 You’re going to lose that girl,
You’re going to lose that girl.
If you don’t treat her right, my friend,
You’re going to find her gone,
‘cause I will treat her right, and then
You’ll be the lonely one.

You’re going to lose that girl,
You’re going to lose that girl.
I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah,
The way you treat her what else can I do?

You’re going to lose that girl,
You’re going to lose that girl.

I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah,
The way you treat her what else can I do?
If you don’t take her out tonight,
She’s going to change her mind,
And I will take her out tonight,
And I will treat her kind.
You’re going to lose that girl,
You’re going to lose that girl.

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• For another song featuring BE + going to + base infinitive for predictions, click here.

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