Learn “Going To” Passive Through Short Stories : The Old Cinema
- Jun 9
- 9 min read
Do you know how to say something will happen in the future—but in the passive voice?
For example:
👉 The house is going to be sold.
👉 The movie is going to be released next month.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use the “going to” passive clearly and confidently—with examples, rules, and practice.
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📖 'Going to" Passive Short Story: The Old Cinema
Emma walked past the old cinema every day on her way to work.
The building was quiet, dark, and a little mysterious.
One morning, she noticed something different.
A sign was on the door:
👉 “The cinema is going to be renovated.”
Emma stopped and smiled.
“Really?” she thought. “That place is going to be changed!”
The next day, more signs appeared.
New seats are going to be installed.
The walls are going to be painted.
A café is going to be opened inside.
Emma felt excited.
A few weeks later, the doors were open again. The cinema looked bright and modern.
On opening day, Emma bought a ticket.
As she walked in, she thought: “This place is going to be loved again.”
✨ Key Grammar Focus
Examples from the story:
The cinema is going to be renovated
New seats are going to be installed
The walls are going to be painted
A café is going to be opened
👉"Going to" Passive Form: [am / is / are + going to + be + past participle]
📝 Story Comprehension Questions
What did Emma see on the cinema door?
What changes were planned for the cinema?
How did Emma feel about the renovation?
What happened at the end of the story?
What Is the “Going To” Passive?
The “going to” passive is used to talk about future plans or predictions, but we focus on the action—not the person doing it.
Compare:
Active: They are going to sell the house.
Passive: The house is going to be sold.
👉 The focus changes from who does the action → to what happens.
How to Form “Going To” Passive
Form: [Subject + am / is / are + going to + be + past participle]
💡 Examples:
The house is going to be sold.
The product is going to be launched.
The rooms are going to be cleaned.
A new café is going to be opened.
📚 When Do We Use It?
1️⃣ Future Plans
Use it when something is already planned.
The building is going to be renovated.
The event is going to be organised next week.
2️⃣ Predictions (with evidence)
The road is going to be closed (there is construction).
The company is going to be sold (financial problems).
3️⃣ When the doer is unknown or not important
A new law is going to be introduced.
The system is going to be updated.
✨ Common Verbs in “Going To” Passive
Great for vocabulary building 👇
be sold
be built
be opened
be closed
be launched
be released
be improved
be repaired
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Missing “be”
Wrong: The house is going to sold.
Correct: The house is going to be sold
❌ Wrong verb form
Wrong: The movie is going to be release
Correct: The movie is going to be released
❌ Confusing active and passive
Wrong: The house is going to sell
Correct: The house is going to be sold
📝 Practice Time!
🔹 Part 1: Change Active → Passive
They are going to open a new shop.
The company is going to launch a new product.
They are going to repair the road.
🔹 Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
The house is going to ______ (sell).
The app is going to ______ (update).
The rooms are going to ______ (clean).
✅ Answers
Part 1:
A new shop is going to be opened.
A new product is going to be launched.
The road is going to be repaired.
Part 2:
be sold
be updated
be cleaned
💬 Mini Dialogue (Real-Life English)
A: What’s happening to that old building?
B: It’s going to be renovated.
A: Really?
B: Yes, a new café is going to be opened there.
💬 Discussion & Conversation Topics
Practice using the "going to" passive by talking about future plans, changes, and predictions.
🏡 Homes & Buildings
Is there a building in your town that is going to be renovated?
Do you know any houses that are going to be sold?
What changes are going to be made to your home in the future?
Would you like your home to be redesigned? What is going to be changed?
What old buildings in your city are going to be preserved?
🌳 Your Community
What improvements are going to be made in your neighbourhood?
Are any new parks, shops, or schools going to be built nearby?
What public services are going to be improved in your area?
What changes would you like to see in your town?
Do you think more trees are going to be planted in cities in the future?
🎬 Entertainment & Technology
What movies are going to be released this year?
What new technology is going to be introduced in the next five years?
Do you think traditional cinemas are going to be replaced by streaming services?
What popular products are going to be updated soon?
What new apps or devices are going to be launched in the future?
🌎 The Future
What environmental problems are going to be solved in the future?
What jobs are going to be replaced by technology?
What new laws are going to be introduced in your country?
How are cities going to be changed over the next 20 years?
What exciting discoveries are going to be made in the future?
⭐ Challenge Questions
Answer using at least one "going to" passive sentence.
What is going to be built in your dream city?
What is going to be improved at your workplace or school?
What is going to be changed in the world over the next ten years?
What is going to be invented in the future?
What is going to be remembered about today's world 100 years from now?
🎯 Speaking Challenge
Work with a partner.
Imagine your town has received a large budget for improvements.
Discuss and decide:
What is going to be built?
What is going to be renovated?
What is going to be opened?
What is going to be repaired?
What is going to be improved?
Try to use at least five "going to" passive sentences during your discussion.
Example:
A new sports centre is going to be built.
The old library is going to be renovated.
More bicycle lanes are going to be added.
🗣️ Real-Life English Extension
Think about your own life and complete the sentences:
My home is going to be _____________________.
My neighbourhood is going to be _____________________.
A new __________ is going to be opened near me.
In my city, __________ is going to be improved.
In the future, __________ is going to be changed.
🎯 How Self-Learners Can Practise These Discussion Topics
Don't worry if you don't have a teacher or conversation partner. You can still get plenty of speaking practice!
🗣️ Speak Your Answers Aloud
Don't just think about your answers—say them out loud. Speaking helps you remember grammar and build confidence.
🎙️ Record Yourself
Use your phone to record your answers. Listen again and check your use of the "going to" passive.
✍️ Write First, Then Speak
Write 3–5 sentences before answering a discussion question. Then read your answers aloud.
🤖 Practise with AI
Use ChatGPT or another AI tool as a conversation partner. Ask it to give you questions and correct your grammar.
🏙️ Talk About Real Life
Look around your neighbourhood. What changes are planned?
Example:
A new café is going to be opened.
The road is going to be repaired.
⏱️ Try a One-Minute Challenge
Choose one discussion question and speak for one minute. Try to use at least three "going to" passive sentences.
📅 Keep a Grammar Journal
Write a few sentences each week about future changes in your life, town, or country.
⭐ Remember
To master the "going to" passive", don't just study it—use it!
✔ Write it
✔ Say it
✔ Record it
✔ Use it in real-life situations
The more you practise, the more natural it will become. 🌟
📩 Get Your Free PDF Download Here
Includes:
✅ Story
✅ Grammar Worksheet
✅ Discussion Questions
✅ Challenge Activity
✅ Writing Task
✅ Answer Key
❓ Frequently Asked Questions - The "Going To" Passive
What is the "going to" passive?
The "going to" passive is used to talk about future plans, arrangements, or predictions while focusing on the action rather than the person doing the action.
Example:
The house is going to be sold.
The movie is going to be released next month.
What is the structure of the "going to" passive?
The structure is:
Subject + am/is/are + going to + be + past participle
Examples:
The road is going to be repaired.
New computers are going to be installed.
A new café is going to be opened.
When should I use the "going to" passive?
Use the "going to" passive when:
A future action has already been planned.
There is evidence that something will happen.
The action is more important than the person doing it.
Example:
The old cinema is going to be renovated.
What is the difference between active and passive sentences with "going to"?
In active sentences, we focus on who performs the action.
Active:
They are going to build a new library.
Passive:
A new library is going to be built.
The passive sentence focuses on the library rather than the people building it.
Can I use "going to" passive for predictions?
Yes. The "going to" passive is often used for predictions based on evidence.
Examples:
The bridge is in poor condition. It is going to be repaired soon.
The building is empty. It is going to be demolished.
What verbs are commonly used in the "going to" passive?
Some common verbs include:
sold
built
opened
closed
renovated
repaired
launched
released
updated
improved
Examples:
The app is going to be updated.
The hotel is going to be renovated.
Is the "going to" passive common in everyday English?
Yes. Native speakers frequently use it when discussing future plans, projects, construction, events, and changes.
Examples:
The park is going to be redesigned.
New houses are going to be built here.
Can all future sentences be changed into the "going to" passive?
No. Generally, only sentences with a direct object can be changed into the passive voice.
Active:
They are going to open a new shop.
Passive:
A new shop is going to be opened.
What are the most common mistakes learners make?
Common mistakes include:
❌ The house is going to sold.
✅ The house is going to be sold.
❌ The movie is going to be release.
✅ The movie is going to be released.
Remember: going to + be + past participle
What's the difference between "will be" passive and "going to be" passive?
Both refer to future actions, but they are often used differently.
Going to be + past participle
Usually refers to plans or predictions with evidence.
The building is going to be renovated.
Will be + past participle
Often refers to future decisions, promises, or formal announcements.
The building will be renovated next year.
In many situations, both forms are possible.
How can I practise the "going to" passive?
You can practise by:
Describing future changes in your town.
Talking about planned events.
Predicting future developments.
Converting active sentences into passive sentences.
Reading short stories and identifying passive structures.
Example:
A new sports centre is going to be built.
More trees are going to be planted.
The roads are going to be improved.
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📚 Further Learning
Want to keep practising your English in fun and natural ways?
Check out these recommended resources:
🎧 Try Audible for free – Listen to English stories and improve your comprehension anywhere.
🎓 British Council Online English Lessons – Learn with expert teachers.
📱 FluentU –Practise English with real-world videos and interactive subtitles.
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