I know that “I am going to go to read” is a proper sentence, but in standard essay English, could I use a sentence like that in the title?
You COULD but it looks over complex. Generally English speakers are lazy and don’t like repitition. Strictly speaking there is
I think I’d just say “I’m going to go read” without the extra “to”.
Course, I don’t know anything.
“I’m going to go and read” seems to separate the act of going from the act of reading. If you don’t want to say “I’m going to go to read,” why not say “I’m going to go read?” I think that would be acceptable in colloquial usage.
Frankly, I don’t think any of those options are “standard essay English.”
“I’m going to read” is standard essay English.
As you may know from hanging around this bbs, grammar and language questions usually revolve around the facts that 1) language is always changing, and 2) there is no unequivocal arbiter of what is “proper.” You are most likely asking how an editor would deal with that phrase and the answer probably depends on the target audience. That, or the relative age and touchiness of the person for whom the paper is written. What you propose is a pretty peculiar title, by the way. And what about “I am going to go read”? As it turns out, today’s Chicago Tribune Magazine has a wonderful article by Julia Keller about what is correct, what is proper, etc., when it comes to grammar. If you can get a copy (it may show up on line tomorrow) I strongly recommend it.
Oops sorry I submitted to soon.
If I say I’m flying to the States there’s the implication that everything is finalised if I say I’m going to fly to the States it is still just an intention.
So strictly speaking there is a difference of nuance between I’m going to go and read and I’m going to read but we don’t like the repitition of go so we stick with the second one.
If you’re actually going to move out of the area where the statement was made, I’d say “I’m going to go [somewhere else] and read” is not only correct but desirable. Even so, with “go” the choice of “and,” “to,” or neither is largely a matter of nuance and specificity.
With “try” is where many say “and” when “to” is a much better choice. While virtually no one would say “I will attempt and help,” “I will try and help” seems to roll off the tongue easily. In 99.9% of the cases, if not all of them, “I will try to help” would be more accurate, more clear, and I daresay correct.
[QUOTE=pinkfreudwhy not say “I’m going to go read?” I think that would be acceptable in colloquial usage.
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Just for your interest, the above line sounds particularly american. To my ears it sounds as though a word is missing (or there are too many).
Speaking as an American, we typically don’t use a perfectly good word for this: shall.
I shall go read. (statement of intent: my future action is to read)
I will go read. (statement of desire: my will is to read)
I am going to go and read. (who knows, maybe a statement of description: I am now in the process of leaving to read elsewhere?)
Speaker for the Dead, could you please tell us the exact title that you’re planning to use for this essay? I find it rather hard to believe that you’re going to title an essay “I’m going to go and read.” This is one of those cases where we need the exact words that you’re planning to use so that we can tell in context whether this expression is appropriate for what you’re saying.
I’ve always had the impression that the “go and” part of “I’m going to go and read,” means that I won’t be doing the reading here. I’ll go (someplace else) and read.
If I’m actually telling someone that I’m going to be reading I’ll say (since I am a typically grammatically lazy American)
“I’m gonna read” (“I felt…as if millions of English teachers suddenly cried out in terror…” 
)
or
“I’m gonna go read”
This way I don’t have to worry one whit about this whole “to” business and everyone still knows to leave me alone until I put down the book…
I guess I wasn’t clear in the OP. Here’s what I meant to say.
I know that “I’m going to go and read” and “I’m going to go read” are both fine in a colloquial setting–I’ve used them before in conversation.
However, could sentences like them appear in formal essays and still be considered correct (ignoring the use of “I”)?
I would not use these sentences in a formal essay. If I were a teacher evaluating a formal essay that contained these sentences, I would probably raise an eyebrow and lower a grade.
But I’m a middle-aged Grammar Pedant, and my views are no longer in the mainstream.