1 A2 informal
To intend or mean to do something.
"We're planning on visiting Japan next spring if everything goes well."
inseparable
plan on
A2 informal inseparable transitive
To intend to do something, or to expect that something will happen.
In plain English
To want or mean to do something; to expect something.
What does "plan on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To expect or anticipate something happening.
"I wasn't planning on it raining today — I left my umbrella at home."
inseparable
Usage tip
Always followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form): 'plan on doing something'. Very common in both American and British English. More informal than 'intend to' or 'plan to'. The sense of 'expect' is common in negative constructions ('I wasn't planning on this').
Words that pair with "plan on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
going staying leaving doing being arriving
How to conjugate "plan on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plan on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plans on
he/she/it
Past simple
planed on
yesterday
Past participle
planed on
have + pp
-ing form
planing on
continuous
Hear "plan on" in the wild
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