gonna try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gonna try" is informal but can be used in written English, particularly in casual contexts.
It is typically used to express an intention or plan to attempt something in the near future. Example: "I'm gonna try to finish this project by the end of the week."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm gonna try".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not gonna try again".

The New York Times

No. I'm gonna try restaurants.

The New Yorker

"Looks like it's gonna try to do something," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm gonna try not to be insulted man," he said.

Independent

I'm gonna try and help freedom of the press.

The New Yorker

I'm gonna try to work that in more".

The Guardian

"I'm gonna try to bring the members of NWA together.

The Guardian - Music

Not gonna pay for wifi Gonna try to sleep.

The Guardian

Gonna try a link - this was 30 minutes ago.

The Guardian

But we're gonna try our best, and that's as a team.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gonna try" in informal communication and creative writing to connect with readers. In professional contexts, "going to attempt" is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "gonna try" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "will attempt" or "intend to attempt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gonna try" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating future intention or attempted action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, reinforcing its role as a common expression of intent. The phrase combines an auxiliary verb with a main verb to communicate a plan or potential action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gonna try" is a common and informal way to express an intention to attempt something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used in media and casual conversation. While grammatically acceptable in these contexts, it's best to opt for more formal alternatives like "going to attempt" or "will try" in professional or academic writing. When aiming for a relaxed and relatable tone, "gonna try" is suitable; however, be mindful of your audience and the required level of formality in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to attempt

A slightly more formal alternative, replaces "try" with the more formal "attempt".

plan to try

Replaces "gonna" with "plan to", indicating a deliberate intention.

aim to try

Uses "aim" instead of "plan", suggesting a goal-oriented approach.

intend to attempt

Formal alternative; replaces the colloquial "gonna" with "intend to" and "try" with "attempt".

expect to try

Indicates anticipation or likelihood of attempting something.

will attempt to

More formal way to express future action, substituting "gonna" with "will" and "try" with "attempt".

hope to try

Expresses a desire and intention to attempt something.

anticipate trying

Expresses anticipation of the attempt, changes sentence structure.

will be trying

Changes sentence structure to continuous, emphasizing the duration of attempting.

endeavor to try

Highly formal; replaces "gonna" with "endeavor to", implying a determined effort.

FAQs

What does "gonna try" mean?

"Gonna try" is a colloquial contraction of "going to try", expressing an intention or plan to attempt something.

When is it appropriate to use "gonna try"?

It's appropriate in informal settings like conversations with friends or casual writing. Avoid it in formal or professional contexts where more precise language is expected.

What can I say instead of "gonna try" in formal situations?

In formal settings, use alternatives such as "going to attempt", "intend to try", or "will attempt to".

Is "gonna try" grammatically correct?

While widely used and understood, "gonna try" is a contraction and therefore considered grammatically informal. In situations requiring formal grammar, it is best to use "going to try".