ESL General English Grammar Questions

ESL General English Grammar Questionshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/4/bwxvb/Post.htm#914051Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:47:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:914051CalifJim0http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/4/bwxvb/Post.htm#914051http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-914051.xmlhe said 'I'mma let you finish'. So it must be good English, right? Uh-hunh. Tongue get stuck in your cheek, Clive? CJRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/4/bwxvb/Post.htm#913443Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:38:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:913443Clive1http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/4/bwxvb/Post.htm#913443http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-913443.xmlHi, When Kenye West handed the mike back to Taylor Swift in the recent famous incident at the awards show, he said 'I'mma let you finish'. So it must be good English, right? CliveRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#913316Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:36:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:913316Anonymous2http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#913316http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-913316.xmlIn one of her latest songs, Whitney Houston ("call you tonight") sings: I'mma call you tonight I will baby Just as soon as I get home So "I'mma" is definetly a sort of contraction of "I will" or "I'm going to". Considering W. Houston's increasing use of black slang forms, I would say it's a vernacular english formRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627746Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:627746Grammar Geek3http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627746http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-627746.xmlK - Imma gonna get you an iguana. Disclaimer: I just thought you'd enjoy hearing that. I have no intention of sending reptiles across the Atlantic.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627744Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:627744Kooyeen4http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627744http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-627744.xmlOkay, if " I'mma" really mean "I am going to", so then the best way to put it would be : " I'mgnna" . I'mgnna buy that one! Don't you think so? Nope, because there's actually no "g" in the contraction. Imma, Immuna, I'm gonna, I'm going to.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627129Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:627129Verb_aTIM5http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#627129http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-627129.xmlOkay, if " I'mma" really mean "I am going to", so then the best way to put it would be : " I'mgnna" . I'mgnna buy that one! Don't you think so? I mean, american speakers are addicted to contracting everything possible. TIMRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#580262Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:580262Anonymous6http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#580262http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-580262.xmlbetter in time "leona lewis" It's been the longest winter without you I didnt know where to turn to See somehow I cant forget you After all that we've been through go in, come in thought i heard a knock who's there? no one thinking that i deserved it now i realize that i really didnt know you didnt notice, you mean everything quickly im learning, to love again all i know is, i'mma be ok I definitely think I'mma means "I am goint to" there are more songs with these phrase but this is the most popular oneRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#554938Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:554938Anonymous7http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#554938http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-554938.xmlI'm going to.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#505726Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:505726Anonymous8http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#505726http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-505726.xmlOF COURSE IT MEANS : I'm GOIN' TO !! NO "i'm a " lolI'mma = I am going tohttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#478693Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:478693Anonymous9http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#478693http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-478693.xml"I'mma" is definitely "I am going to" It sounds similar to "I'm a", but to write that as "I'mma" would be a mistake. They sound essentially the same, but "I'm a" is correct for its meaning while "I'mma" is slang for something else. "I will" has close to the same meaning, but it would be best to treat it as "I am going to." It even "evolved" from "I am going to": I am going to -> I’m going to -> I’m gonna -> I’munna -> I’mmaRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#467474Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:467474Delmobile10http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/3/bwxvb/Post.htm#467474http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-467474.xmlI'm so sorry, I posted before reading the second page of this lively discussion. I really didn't have anything new to contribute, did I?Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#467471Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:467471Delmobile11http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#467471http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-467471.xmlAs in Clive's colorful example, it definitely indicates the future, and usually the immediate future at that. Perhaps a better translation would be "I'm about to." And I believe it's more usually paired with --- is it simple present? -- than the gerund, although nobody's exactly counting syllables. I'm a go home now. I'm a buy me a new coat. I'm a slap you upside your head... etc.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#467455Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:467455Anonymous12http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#467455http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-467455.xmlI think it's equal to 'I might' or 'I'm gonna', but I am not sure.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#406888Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:406888Grammar Geek13http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#406888http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-406888.xmlHello Anon, What is "SE"? I assume you know the word "dat" should be "that" and you are writing that way for a good reason. But because this is a forum for people learning English, it's really quite helpful if you stuck to standard spellings. I also wouldn't use any song lyrics as the basis for understanding grammar. Whether it's "I done did dat" or "Baby you and me got a groovy kind of love" there are grammatical errors everywhere.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#406578Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:406578Anonymous14http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#406578http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-406578.xmlHi all, I just wanna say that your answer is probably right. I know it means like dat and once I've known dat it means an article a as a contraction of course , for example I'ma murder weapon. but when use it as 'will' or 'gonna' we make double M, I'mma you see the difference , it's not really dat big difference but nice to know and all of these contractions came from rap music. So, you have to search more and see what does it mean in other ways like I'mma gonna do dat. You know in rap they say I done did dat and this is the difference between SE and BE. SO I hope dat will give ya a view and thank you all.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#405736Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:405736Anonymous15http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#405736http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-405736.xmlmay be mightRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396828Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:396828CalifJim16http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396828http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-396828.xmlI'm not sure white people use that too. Yes. Both. CJRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396725Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:396725Kooyeen17http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396725http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-396725.xmlHi, I think "Immuna" is very common and means "I'm gonna", "I'm going to". Not sure about "I'ma" or "I'mma". I mean, I'm sure it means "I'm going to" when followed by a verb, but I think I was once told it sounds pretty African American. African Americans use that a lot, but I'm not sure white people use that too.Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396693Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:396693CalifJim18http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396693http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-396693.xmlIn older English it was more common to place a- before an -ing form (often reduced to -in' ). This pattern is retained in some non-standard varieties of present-day English -- to some extent in rural America, for example -- though the pattern has nearly died out, I think, by now. They were a-dancin' and a-singin' till all hours of the night. I am a-going thus becomes Imma going . CJRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396586Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:396586Grammar Geek19http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/2/bwxvb/Post.htm#396586http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-396586.xmlI'm more familiar with it meaning simply "I am" but as the others have said, it can also mean "I am going to." Since it is obviously not standard English, you shouldn't worry too much about it. While you might hear it, you should never see it written down except as dialogue or song lyrics, etc. In your example, it simply means "I'm going home."Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#396579Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:396579Anonymous20http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#396579http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-396579.xmlIf it really means I'm going to...what does DP World: “Screw you guys, I’mma going home.” mean? (It's from http://txfx.net/2006/03/10/dp-world-screw-you-guys-imma-going-home/)I thought it means I am, I will and I am going to,too. Please tell me your ideas. thnxRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#265636Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:265636CalifJim21http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#265636http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-265636.xmlYes. I'm going to. Variants: Imunna, Ahmunna CJRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#265610Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:265610Anonymous22http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#265610http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-265610.xmlI'm going to. CaseyRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127318Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:127318pieanne23http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127318http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-127318.xmlI'm familiar with the Joan Baez version of that song. She rephrased it: "Papa's (I'm) gonna etc..." Might this be an answer? Or "I'm gonna ... " http://joanbaez.lyrics-online.net/HushLittleBaby.htmlRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127313Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:127313Anonymous24http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127313http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-127313.xmlI dont think this means "i am a..." i have a lot of examples of using it. here is the one from a song. And if you ask me too Daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbird I'mma give you the world I'mma buy a diamond ring for you I'mma sing for you I'll do anything for you to see you smile And if that mockingbird don't sing and that ring don't shine I'mma break that birdies neck I'd go back to the jewler who sold it to ya And make him eat every carat don't *** with dad (haha) Eminem "Mockingbird"Re: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127034Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:127034Pemmican25http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#127034http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-127034.xml"I'mma tiger, I'mma tiger... I'mma tiger I'm a tiger" --> I suppose it's just a 'contraction' of "I am + a". -MrMagooRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#126954Fri, 22 May 2009 00:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:126954Clive26http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#126954http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-126954.xmlIffen ya don' quit yore fussin', I'mma gonna whup yore sorry ass. CliveRe: I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#126946Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:126946Mister Micawber27http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htm#126946http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-126946.xmlI'm unfamiliar with the contraction I'mma . Could you put it into a sentence?I'mmahttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htmSun, 22 Mar 2009 01:37:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:126940Anonymous28http://www.englishforums.com/English/Imma/bwxvb/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-126940.xmlIs it equal to "I will" or "I'm going to"?