gonna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very HighInformal (colloquial), Spoken. Generally avoided in formal writing, academic prose, and official documents.
Quick answer
What does “gonna” mean?
A phonetically reduced, informal contraction representing 'going to' when followed by a verb to express future intention or prediction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A phonetically reduced, informal contraction representing 'going to' when followed by a verb to express future intention or prediction.
A phonological contraction of 'going to' used in spoken English and informal writing to denote the future auxiliary. It functions as a grammaticalized future marker, not as the verb 'go' + preposition 'to'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is pervasive in informal spoken registers in both varieties. No significant structural difference. Occasionally perceived as slightly more characteristically American in some older stereotypes, but this is largely outdated.
Connotations
Conveys informality, casualness, and immediacy. In both varieties, it is a natural feature of connected speech rather than slang per se. Overuse in writing can appear uneducated.
Frequency
Extremely high in spontaneous speech in both the UK and US. Slightly less frequent in some careful, monitored British speech (e.g., Received Pronunciation news broadcasts), but ubiquitous in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “gonna” in a Sentence
Subject + be (am/is/are) + gonna + base verb (e.g., I'm gonna call you.)Gonna + base verb (in elliptical questions, e.g., 'Gonna be late?')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gonna” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're gonna pop to the shops later.
- It's gonna rain all weekend, I reckon.
American English
- I'm gonna grab some coffee.
- He's gonna be really mad about this.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Avoided in formal reports, contracts, and presentations. May be used in very casual internal emails or instant messages between colleagues.
Academic
Strongly avoided in essays, theses, and scholarly publications.
Everyday
Ubiquitous in informal spoken communication among all social groups. Common in song lyrics, film dialogue, and informal digital communication (texts, chats).
Technical
Only used in technical communication when quoting informal speech (e.g., in user experience research transcripts).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gonna”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gonna”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gonna”
- *I gonna go. (Missing the required 'be' verb: I'm gonna go.)
- *She gonna be angry. (Missing 'is': She's gonna be angry.)
- Using 'gonna' in formal writing.
- Using 'gonna' as a full verb meaning 'go' (e.g., *I'm gonna the shop. – Incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognized phonological contraction in linguistics and lexicography. It is listed in major dictionaries as an informal representation of 'going to'. However, it is not standard in formal written English.
No. 'Gonna' can only replace 'going to' when it functions as a future auxiliary (I'm going to eat). It cannot replace 'going' as the main verb of motion (I'm going to the park -> NOT I'm gonna the park).
Often, yes. Even in relatively careful conversation, 'going to' is frequently reduced to /ˈɡənə/ in natural connected speech. Deliberately pronouncing the full 'going to' can sound overly formal or emphatic.
Yes, for comprehension and natural-sounding informal speech. Learners should understand it perfectly and be able to use it correctly in informal spoken contexts. However, they must master the rule (subject + be + gonna + base verb) and know to avoid it in formal writing.
A phonetically reduced, informal contraction representing 'going to' when followed by a verb to express future intention or prediction.
Gonna is usually informal (colloquial), spoken. generally avoided in formal writing, academic prose, and official documents. in register.
Gonna: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡənə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡənə/ or /ˈɡʌnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not gonna happen.”
- “What's gonna be, gonna be.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the song title "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers. The word sounds like 'gun' + 'a' – you're 'gunning' to do something (intending strongly).
Conceptual Metaphor
FUTURE IS A PATH (The 'go' in 'going to' implies movement along a path toward a future action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gonna' MOST appropriate?