going

Going is the present participle and gerund of the English verb go. It commonly refers to movement from one location to another, but it also expresses progression, departure, or the act of leaving. The form derives from the Old English verb gan (gān) and has evolved into the modern participle used in many English constructions.

As a finite verb in continuous tenses, going appears in phrases such as I am going to the store or They were going home, indicating ongoing action or near-term plans. As a gerund or verbal noun, going can function like a noun: Going to the park is enjoyable for many families; going to the dentist is something some people fear.

The phrase going to followed by a verb signals near-future intention or planned action; it is used instead of or alongside will in colloquial English. For example, We are going to start the meeting at nine, or It’s going to rain soon. The construction can convey intention, probability, or prediction, depending on context and emphasis.

Common idioms and compounds based on going include the going rate (current price or standard price), going concern (an ongoing business considered able to continue operating), and going out (socializing or turning off the lights, depending on context). The compound goings-on refers to events or activities taking place. In everyday speech, going is a versatile term tied to travel, planning, and habit, and it appears in many phrasal expressions.

Overall, going functions as both a verb form and a noun in English, with broad application in describing motion, time, and intention.