Common Reductions

Another item that can be a source of confusion and frustration for beginning
learners of English are reductions. Reductions occur when sounds are
reduced or completely eliminated in words when spoken. Reductions are
very common in speech and some of the more common reductions are
described below.

Reductions of 'of' -
There are three changes the can occur with the word 'of'.

A. The 'o' in of is often pronounced using the schwa sound- uh.

(see section on vowels)

some of becomes some uh

'He likes some of the books' becomes
He likes some uh the books.

B. If a vowel follows 'of' it is often pronounced with a schwa + v (uhv)

most of becomes most uhv

'Most of all, you can't drink' becomes
Most uhv all, you can't drink.

C. If the sound of the letter before 'of' is a 't' there is a flap in addition to the reduction.

ouf of becomes oud dah

'He's out of money' becomes
He's oud dah money.

Reductions of 'and' And is often reduced to 'n'.

movies and books becomes movies n books

'I like movies and books' becomes I like movies n books.

Reductions of 'or' Or is often reduced to 'r'.

pencil or pen becomes a pencil r pen.

'Either a pencil or pen' becomes Either a pencil r a pen will do.

Reductions of 'for' For is often reduced and changed to fer

for lunch becomes what's fer lunch.

What's for lunch' becomes What's fer lunch.
 Other Reduction Pages

Page 2 'h', 'going to', 'want to', 'have to', 'has to'

Linking Words in Phrases & Sentences -by: Susan Ryan

Summary :

Many people think that good pronunciation means pronouncing every word distinctly
and clearly but this is not always the case. In spoken English the words within a
sentence do not always sound the same as when you say them individually. That's
because English speakers link words together in phrases and sentences.

In order to improve your spoken American English you need to link words to each other
like native speakers do. Linking helps create a smooth transition between the words in a
sentence and makes your speech sound less choppy.

American English speakers will link most words in a sentence or phrase. However,
there are some guidelines that I teach my students to follow when they are first learning
about linking. In this article I will describe three of these guidelines.

Linking Guidelines for Accent Reduction

The C+ C rule

When the same consonant sound is found at the end of one word and the beginning of
the next, don't break your speech, simply hold the consonant sound for a longer time.
For example, hold the /t/ sound between these words and pronounce them as one long
word instead of breaking the words apart.

went to
what time

Try linking these words in the following sentences.

1. I went to the beach.

2. What time is he coming?

Hold the /s/ sound between these words.

was so

is so

Now try linking them in the following sentences.

1. That was so nice of her!

2. James is so intelligent.

The C+ V rule

When the first word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel
sound carry the consonant sound over to the following word.

take it

leave it

some of

look alike
Try linking the final consonant sound to the following vowel sound in these two
sentences.

1. You can take it or leave it.

2. Some of them look alike.

The V + V rule

When the first word ends in a vowel sound and the following word begins with a vowel
sound insert a /y/ sound for front vowels and a /w/ sound for back vowels.

Insert a /y/ sound between these words.

say it

may I

Insert a /w/ sound between these words.

do it

Now try to use V + V linking in these sentences.

1. Can you say it again?

2. May I help you?

3. Can you do it for me?

Linking is a very important part of spoken English because it makes your speech sound
more natural. Using linking will significantly improve the rhythm of your speech and
help you reduce your accent by making your speech smoother and less choppy.
Understanding linking will also allow you to understand English speakers more easily.

Common Reduced forms in American English

Reduced forms usually use during native speakers conversations. Non-native English
speakers can use these reduced forms during their conversations in order to improve their
speaking skills.

In the context bellow we tried to explain the most common reduced forms in American English.

“Going to” is pronounced “GONNA” when it is used to show the future. But it is never reduced
when it means going from one place to another.

 We‟re going to grab a bite to eat. = We‟re gonna grab a bite to eat.
 I‟m going to the office tonight. = I‟m going to the office tonight.

“Want to” and “want a” are both pronounced “WANNA” and wants to is pronounced
“WANSTA”. Do you want to can also be reduced to “WANNA”.

 I want to go for a spin. = I wanna go for a spin.

 Do you want a piece of cake? = Wanna piece of cake?
 He wants to avoid rush hour. = He wansta avoid rush hour.

“Have to” is pronounced “HAFTA” and has to is pronounced “HASTA”.

 Sorry, I have to leave now. = Sorry, I hafta leave now.

 She has to go to work soon. = She hasta go to work soon.

“Have” reduces to “AV” or “A” in positive and negative phrases.

 must have = must‟av or must‟a must not have = mustn‟av or mustn‟a

  would have = would‟av or would‟a would not have = wouldn‟av or wouldn‟a
 could have = could‟av or could‟a could not have = couldn‟av or couldn‟a
 should have = should‟av or should‟a should not have = shouldn‟av or shouldn‟a

“You” is almost always pronounced “YA”, you‟re and “your are” pronounced “YER”, and
yours is pronounced “YERS”.

 Do you feel under the weather? = Do ya feel under the weather?

 You‟re completely right. = Yer completely right.
 Your brother will be fine. = Yer brother will be fine.
 Is this book yours? = Is this book yers?

“To” is pronounced “TA” after voiceless sounds and “DA” after voiced sounds.

 She wants to invite us to the party. = She wants ta invite us ta the party.
 I need to go to bed now. = I need da go da bed now.

“And” and “in” both reduce to “N”.

 Karen and Steve are coming to visit. = Karen „n Steve are coming to visit.
 Tim is in Paris this week. = Tom is „n Paris this week.

D + Y = J T + Y = CH

 did you = did‟ju or did‟ja let you = let‟chu or let‟cha

 would you = would‟ju or would‟ja what you = what‟chu or what‟cha
 could you = could‟ju or could‟ja don‟t you = don‟chu or don‟cha
 should you = should‟ju or should‟ja didn‟t you = didn‟chu or didn‟cha

“T” is pronounced as “D” when it is between two vowels.

 That‟s a great idea. = That‟s a gread idea.

 What a great car! = What a great car.

“T” is not pronounced when it is between “N” and “E”.

 center = cen‟er
 counted = coun‟ed
The past tense form “-ED” is pronounced “T” after voiceless sounds, “D” after voiced sounds,
and “ID” after “T” and “D”.

T- D – ID
talked played decided
dressed ordered wanted
wished happened needed

Similarly, the plural form “–S” is pronounced “S” after voiceless sounds, “Z” after voiced
sounds, and “IZ” after “S”,” Z”, “SH”, and “CH.”

S- Z -IZ
desks sisters horses
cats legs peaches
tops eyes offices

The “h” sound in the pronouns “he, him, his, and her” and the “th” sound in them are not
pronounced in fast speech when they are unstressed; however, they are pronounced when they
are stressed.

 I think he flunked bio class. = I think „e flunked bio class.

 I told him to study more. = I told „im to study more.
 He got an A on his final. = He got an A on „is final.
 She thinks her teacher is crazy. = She thinks „er teacher is crazy.
 Pop quizzes… I hate them! = Pop quizzes… I hate „em
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