Gonna means going to, the way it sounds in fast, casual speech; it's used for plans and predictions. In texts, songs and subtitles it's written the way it sounds: I'm gonna be late. In speaking, including IELTS Speaking, this relaxed pronunciation is natural, but in an essay or a message to a teacher or colleague, write going to.
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am/is/are + gonna + verb (I'm gonna call); not gonna + verb; going to + place (no gonna: I'm going to the gym)
- I'm gonna grab a coffee before class, want anything?
- It's gonna rain on Saturday, so let's move the picnic to Sunday.
- We're not gonna finish the slides today, let's ask for one more day.
What changed
First versionI gonna call you after the lecture, okay?
RevisionI'm gonna call you after the lecture, okay?
Gonna replaces only going to; am, is or are before it stay: I'm gonna, she's gonna, they're gonna. In fast speech the 'm is barely heard, so it's easy to leave out when writing. The corrected version puts I'm back.
Gonna only comes before a verb, when you're talking about plans or predictions. If you're heading somewhere, you need the full going to: I'm going to the gym means you're on your way there now, while I'm gonna go to the gym means you plan to go.
Your turn
I'm ___ the station now, meet me by the ticket office.
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going to — The person is saying where they're heading right now: going to is followed by a place, the station, not a verb. Gonna only shortens going to before a verb, so I'm gonna the station is wrong.
Write a message to a friend about your weekend plans using gonna. Say exactly what you're going to do and who with.
On Saturday I'm gonna try the new climbing gym with my sister.
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