Correct Usage of ‘I’m Going To’ vs ‘I’m Going To Go To’ in English

When it comes to expressing future intentions in English, the correct choice can sometimes be confusing. In this article, we will explore the nuances of using 'I'm going to' versus 'I'm going to go to,' and clarify why one might be preferred over the other.

Geographical Variations

First, let's talk about regional variations in English, which can affect how phrases are used. When referring to London:

‘I’m going to London’: This is the grammatically correct version and sounds more standard. However, it might make you sound a bit 'home counties.' ‘Im going London’: The correct way to say it is actually 'I’m ging ‘t’London.' This phrase is very Northern and might mark you as coming from Yorkshire or sometimes the North East (e.g., Northumberland or Durham). ‘garn up laarden’: This is the West Country version. Alternatively, in Essex or even in London itself, you might hear phrases like 'gern up west' or 'gern up the city.'

Grammatical Differences

Grammatically, both 'I’m going to London' and 'I’m going to go to London' are correct, but they have different connotations:

Present Continuous Tense: 'I’m Going to'

The phrase 'I’m going to London' can be used to indicate either an ongoing action that is happening at the moment of speaking or a definite plan for the immediate future. For example:

‘I’m going to London right now’: Implies the person is currently en route to London. ‘I’m going to London tomorrow’: Indicates a pre-planned activity for the next day.

You use the present continuous tense for actions that take place at that moment or for actions in the immediate future that you've already arranged and planned. For example:

‘I’m going to study harder next week because the exam is not far away’ ‘There are lots of grey clouds in the sky, it’s going to rain’

Future Intention with ‘Be Going To’

On the other hand, the phrase 'I'm going to go to London' is more focused on expressing a future intention. It does not specifically indicate the timing or certainty of the action. For instance:

‘I have a strong intention to go to London but don’t know when’

Using 'be going to' is typically more appropriate when you want to emphasize your intention or indicate evidence that something is going to happen. For example:

‘I’m going to study harder next week because the exam is not far away’ ‘It’s going to rain due to the dark, stormy clouds’

When to Avoid ‘Be Going To’ with ‘To Go’

It's generally advised not to use 'be going to' if the main verb is 'to go.' This is because it can sound redundant or overly formal. For example:

Incorrect: ‘I’m going to go to London’ Correct: ‘I’m going to London’ or ‘I am going to go to London (but then it sounds redundant)

Exceptions might include cases where you want to stress the intent aspect, such as:

‘I am going to go to London because I have a specific reason’

Conclusion

In summary, both phrases are correct and can be used depending on the context. However, clarity and naturalness are key. Use 'I’m going to' when you want to express either an action happening now or a definite plan for the near future. Use 'I’m going to go to' if you want to emphasize intention without specifying the exact timing or certainty of the action. Regional differences also play a role, so be aware of how different areas use these phrases.

Understanding the nuances can help you communicate more effectively, making your speech and writing more natural and clear.