Cool MateGoing to vs Gonna
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Going to
Top 1,000 (very common)
Gonna
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: Going to
| Going to | Gonna | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡəʊɪŋ tə//🇺🇸 //ˈɡoʊɪŋ tə// | 🇬🇧 //ˈgʌnə//🇺🇸 //ˈgʌnə// |
| Meaning | Plans to do something in the future. | Going to; will do something in the future. |
| Example | I am going to visit my grandparents this weekend. | I'm gonna go to the store later. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | going to the store, going to the beach, going to work | gonna go, gonna do, gonna see, gonna get |
| Common mistakes | Using 'going to' with present continuous instead of simple form., Confusing 'going to' with 'going for' when discussing trips., Neglecting to use 'to' after 'going'. | Using 'gonna' in formal contexts., Confusing with 'going to' in written form., Mispronouncing it as separate words. |
| Usage notes | Use 'going to' for future plans. Avoid in formal writing; use 'will' instead in such cases. | Use 'gonna' in casual spoken English. Avoid in formal writing or presentations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Going to vs Gonna
What's the difference between Going to and Gonna?
Going to: Plans to do something in the future. Gonna: Going to; will do something in the future.
Which is more formal: Going to and Gonna?
Going to is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Going to: I am going to visit my grandparents this weekend. Gonna: I'm gonna go to the store later.
Can I use Going to and Gonna interchangeably?
Not always. Going to and Gonna are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.