Lesson 3 | Going to
It’s a nice day. She’s gunna take a walk in the park.
She’s gunna walk with her kids.
Can you hear the change? When I spoke quickly, I said, “She’s gunna take a walk in the park. She’s gunna take a walk.”
The words “going to” are pronounced “gunna.” When I need to speak clearly and be understood, I say, “She’s going to walk in the park.” But when I speak to a friend or informally, I say, “She’s gunna. She’s gunna walk in the park.” You’ll often hear this common change made in conversations.
Let’s look closer at this change.
Listen
She’s gunna stop on the bridge.
Read
She’s gunna stop on the bridge.
He’s gunna clean the sidewalk.
She’s gunna pick him up.
Exercise 1
For practice, read these sentences slowly out loud.
I’m gunna go ta the mall.
I’m gunna go shopping.
I’m gunna eat at the mall.
I’m gunna sweep the sidewalk.
I’m gunna sweep the porch.
Repeat (reading)
Now read these sentences out loud quickly.
I’m gunna go ta the mall.
I’m gunna go shopping.
I’m gunna eat at the mall.
I’m gunna sweep the sidewalk.
Exercise 2
Listen to and repeat these sentences slowly for practice.
I’m gunna get in my car.
I’m gunna open the trunk.
I’m gunna get outa my car.
I’m gunna turn on the TV.
I’m gunna vacuum the rug.
Repeat (listening)
Now repeat these sentences quickly.
I’m gunna get in my car.
I’m gunna open the trunk.
I’m gunna get outa my car.
I’m gunna turn on the TV.
I’m gunna vacuum the rug.
Exercise 3
Now listen to these sentences spoken quickly.
She’s gunna get some money from an ATM.
She’s gunna go up the escalator.
He’s gunna go upstairs.
He’s gunna pass me.
He’s gunna try some Chinese food.
Read
Now you try saying these sentences quickly.
She’s going to get some money from an ATM.
She’s going to go up the escalator.
He’s going to go upstairs.
He’s going to pass me.
He’s going to try some Chinese food.
Exercise 4
Now listen to these sentences and say them quickly.
He’s gunna eat dinner.
She’s gunna have a vacation.
She’s gunna go home.
He’s gunna see a movie.
We’re gunna get a hamburger.
Repeat Slow (listening)
Okay, so you understand the change. Listen to these sentences and see if you can understand and repeat them slowly. Say the complete pronunciation as if you were speaking clearly to someone.
They’re gunna get in the car and leave.
They’re gunna play tennis all day.
They’re gunna go shopping at the mall.
They gunna stop and watch the ducks.
They’re gunna take a walk in the park.
Exercise 5
Now, read these sentences and change them for normal conversation.
I’m going to walk home.
Are you going to go dancing?
He isn’t going to come with us.
All I’m going to do is go home.
They’re going go to the beach.
Okay, answer these questions using “gunna.”
What are you gunna do? I’m gunna go ta the mall.
Where are you going? Go shopping.
Where are you gunna eat? Eat at the mall.
What are you gunna do now? Sweep the sidewalk.
What are you gunna do next? Sweep the porch.
Final Conversation
Okay, listen to this conversation for the changes that you’ve learned.
Hi, what’s up?
I’m gunna have a party on Friday. You wanna come?
Sorry, I can’t, I wanna, but I’m gunna be visiting my grandma.
Are you gunna be there all weekend?
Yeah, we’re gunna paint her house. She wansta paint it purple.