plan on doing sth Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “plan on doing sth” Mean?

“Plan on doing sth” means to intend or decide to do something in the future. It shows a person’s expectation or arrangement to complete an action.

Introduction

The phrase “plan on doing sth” is commonly used in English to express someone’s intention or decision to perform a specific action. Understanding the plan on doing sth meaning helps learners communicate their future intentions clearly. This expression is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase. When you say you “plan on doing something,” it means you have thought about it and expect to do it. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly can improve your spoken and written English, especially when discussing future activities or making arrangements.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: plan on doing something
• Type: Intransitive (requires a gerund after “on”)
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To intend or expect to do something in the future

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Plan on doing sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. The verb “plan” is followed by the preposition “on,” and then a verb in the gerund (-ing) form.

• Correct pattern: plan on + verb-ing
• Example: I plan on visiting my parents next weekend.
• Note: You cannot separate “plan” and “on.”

How to Use “plan on doing sth”?

Use “plan on doing sth” to express your future intentions or expectations. It often implies that you have thought about the action and are likely to complete it. It can be used in casual conversations, business discussions, or written communication.

Common contexts include making travel plans, scheduling tasks, or deciding on activities.

Examples

Here are some examples of “plan on doing sth” in sentences to help you understand its use:

• We plan on starting the project next month.
• She plans on moving to a new city after graduation.
• Do you plan on attending the meeting tomorrow?
• They plan on launching the new product by the end of this year.
• I plan on learning Spanish during my vacation.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “plan on doing sth” with other similar phrases or use the wrong verb form. Here are some common mistakes:

• Incorrect: I plan on to visit my friend.
  Correct: I plan on visiting my friend.
• Incorrect: She plans on go to the party.
  Correct: She plans on going to the party.
• Incorrect: They plan doing the work tomorrow.
  Correct: They plan on doing the work tomorrow.

Remember, after “plan on,” always use the gerund (-ing) form of the verb.

Differences / Synonyms

Several phrases express future intentions. “Plan on doing sth” is similar to “intend to do sth” or “be going to do sth,” but there are subtle differences.

• Plan on doing sth: Focuses on an expectation or arrangement, often with more thought put into it.
• Intend to do sth: More formal, indicates a decision or purpose.
• Be going to do sth: Commonly used to express future plans or predictions.

Example comparison:

She plans on starting her own business next year. (She expects and has arranged to do this.)

She intends to start her own business next year. (She has decided and is determined.)

She is going to start her own business next year. (Future plan or prediction.)

Common Collocations

Some common objects or actions that follow “plan on” include:

• Plan on doing homework – intending to complete school work
• Plan on traveling – expecting to go on a trip
• Plan on working – arranging to perform a job or task
• Plan on attending – deciding to be present at an event
• Plan on staying – intending to remain at a place

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of plan on doing sth:

• Plan Sth Out

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “plan on doing sth”:

Anna: Do you plan on joining the gym this year?

Mark: Yes, I plan on going three times a week to improve my fitness.

Anna: That sounds great! I plan on starting yoga classes next month.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb using “plan on doing sth”:

• They ________ (move) to a bigger house next summer.
• Do you ________ (attend) the conference next week?
• She ________ (start) her new job on Monday.
• We ________ (visit) our grandparents during the holidays.

FAQs

• Q: Can “plan on” be used with an infinitive verb?

  A: No, “plan on” must be followed by a gerund (-ing form).

• Q: Is “plan on doing sth” formal or informal?

  A: It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
• Q: Can I use “plan on” without a verb?

  A: No, “plan on” needs a verb in the gerund form after it.

• Q: What is the difference between “plan to do” and “plan on doing”?

  A: “Plan to do” is often followed by the infinitive, while “plan on doing” uses the gerund. Both express future intentions.
• Q: Can I use “plan on” for past events?

  A: No, “plan on doing sth” refers to future intentions.