Be going to?

Question

Hi, teachers Can I say “Are you going Christmas caroling tonight?” I know there‘s a phrase "be going to", should I add the word "to"? Thanks :-)

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Why not as to carol is also a verb, not just a noun.

CB

CalifJim · Answer

101210Can I say “Are you going Christmas caroling tonight?”

Yes.

101210I know there‘s a phrase "be going to", should I add the word "to"?

No.

The grammatical structure to go ---ing can be used in a limited number of situations. to go (Christmas) caroling is one of them.

See .

CJ

BillJ · Answer

101210Can I say “Are you going Christmas caroling tonight?”

Yes, this kind of verb phrase is called the 'be going' progressive form. Note that the temporal adjunct "tonight" gives it a future-time meaning. "To" must not be added.

101210I know there‘s a phrase "be going to", should I add the word "to"?

You are right, there is; it's an idiomatic construction called the 'be going + infinitive'. The idiom differs from ordinary be going in that it locates the situation in future time without the need for a temporal adjunct, and the meaning of motion and progressivity has been lost. It's a slightly different construction to the ordinary be going, and this time "to" must be added:

"Are you going to go Christmas caroling tonight?"

Style-wise, it's relatively informal; some speakers consider it clumsy and prefer the be going alternative.

BillJ

Be going to?

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