Time in motion: grammaticalisation of the be going to construction in English

This paper explores the grammaticalisation of the English be going to construction, tracing its evolution from a verb of motion to a future tense marker. Through discourse analysis, it demonstrates how be going to shifted from expressing physical movement toward a goal to marking intention and eventual futurity. The study highlights the role of context and frequency in reinterpreting meaning, showing that the construction’s development aligns with broader patterns of grammaticalisation. Data from spoken and written sources illustrate intermediate stages, including purposive and intentional uses. The paper contributes to understanding how temporal expressions emerge from spatial concepts, offering insights into the dynamic relationship between syntax, semantics, and discourse in language change (AI generated abstract, Copilot)