Should I use "wanna", "gonna" and "ain't" on my speaking exam?

ScottsEnglishScottsEnglish Administrator Posts: 1,296 admin ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
Students often wonder if they should use the common forms of "going to" - gonna, "want to" - wanna, or "am not, are not, is not" - ain't, on their speaking exam.

The short answer to this question is "no."

These forms are considered familiar, that is, used with friends and family. As a student, you will never write "gonna" in a formal paper, so you should not say, ''I'm gonna tell you about," instead of saying, "I'm going to tell you about." 

Even native speakers on exams use a more formal style of speech (technically called "changing register") which includes "I'm going to", "I want to," and "I am not" instead of their familiar counterparts.

Be careful to use the best English you possibly can on your IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC speaking exam!


Sign In or Register to comment.