4 phrases · A2 · B1 · B2

Talking about what will happen in English

Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.

The phrases

Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.

  • I'm going to {VERB}

    A2

    Say what you have already decided to do.

    मैं ___ करने वाला/वाली हूँ।

    • I'm going to apply for that course next month.
    • I'm going to speak to my manager about it.
    • I'm going to start waking up earlier.

    As a question: What are you going to do about it?

    In the negative: I'm not going to change my mind.

    Anywhere · say it as: I'm going to / apply next month · used at work, college

  • I'm thinking of {-ING}

    A2

    Say what you are considering, without committing to it.

    मैं ___ के बारे में सोच रहा/रही हूँ।

    • I'm thinking of changing my job.
    • I'm thinking of moving closer to the office.
    • I'm thinking of doing a short course this year.

    As a question: What are you thinking of doing next?

    Anywhere · say it as: I'm thinking of / changing my job · used at work, college

  • I doubt {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Say you think something will not happen.

    मुझे नहीं लगता कि ___ होगा।

    • I doubt they will agree.
    • I doubt it will be ready in time.
    • I doubt anyone noticed.

    Anywhere · say it as: I doubt / they will agree · used at work, everyday life

  • There's a good chance that {CLAUSE}

    B2

    Say something is likely, without promising it.

    अच्छी संभावना है कि ___।

    • There's a good chance that we will finish early.
    • There's a good chance that they will ask about the gap in your CV.
    • There's a good chance that the meeting gets moved again.

    Anywhere · say it as: There's a good chance / that we will finish early · used at work, travelling

What goes wrong

The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.

Commonly saidCorrect English

I'm going to shopping.

I'm going shopping.

With "going shopping" there is no second "to" — the -ing word is the activity itself.

I'm thinking to change my job.

I'm thinking of changing my job.

After "thinking of", a verb takes -ing. "Thinking to" is not English.

I doubt that they will not agree.

I doubt they will agree.

"Doubt" already carries the no. Adding "not" flips your meaning.

Where you will need these

The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.

More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.

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