12 English contractions (and their pronunciation) + video

Contractions in the English language are shortened forms of words or combinations of words, made by combining two words and using an apostrophe (‘) to show where letters are left out. For example, “do not” becomes “don’t,” and “I am” becomes “I’m.” The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters, making the phrase shorter and quicker to say or write.

People use contractions a lot in everyday conversation because they make sentences sound more natural and casual. Some common contractions include “can’t” (cannot), “he’s” (he is), and “they’re” (they are). While contractions are fine in informal writing, like texting or talking with friends, they are often avoided in formal writing, such as academic papers or professional emails. In this article, we will learn 12 English contractions and their pronunciation.

 What is a contraction?

A contraction is basically two words pushed into one! A shorter version of two or sometimes three words is called a contraction, or a contracted form.

A contraction is a shorter form of two or three words that sit together. 

For example:

• I am = I’m
• Can not = can’t
• Are not = aren’t

IMPORTANT: Contractions are informal, and they are common in spoken English, and NOT in written English. So, don’t use them in writing!

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about 12 very common contractions and their pronunciation that native speakers often use. Contractions are very common, especially in English movies, TV series and songs. By learning contractions in English,  you will understand native speakers, movies, or songs more easily. So, as an English learner, you must be familiar with these contractions, whether your level is beginner, intermediate or advanced.

By learning contractions you will understand native speakers, movies, or songs more easily.

Now, let’s start learning the 12 most common contractions and their pronunciation. To check the pronunciation of new English words you learn, you can use the Cambridge online dictionary.

5 contractions with the preposition “to” and their pronunciation

Gotta

Native speakers use “gotta” instead of “have got to”. For example:

• I have got to go = I gotta go
• We have got to go home = We gotta go home
• You have got to do it = You gotta do it
• We have got to go = We gotta go
• You have got to drive = You gotta drive

Gonna

A very common contraction in English pronunciation is “gonna” and it is used instead of “going to”. We use “be going to” to talk about our future plans.

• We are going to win = We’re gonna win
• We are going to die = We’re gonna die
• It is going to be great = It’s gonna be great
• We are going to fish = We’re gonna fish
• We are going to cook breakfast = We’re gonna cook breakfast

Wanna

Instead of “want to” native speakers say “wanna”. Have a look at the examples below:

• I don’t want to know = I don’t wanna know
• You don’t want to know = you don’t wanna know
• I don’t want to talk = I don’t wanna talk
• I want to shoot = I wanna shoot
• What do you want to do? = What do you wanna do?

Hafta

Native speakers often say “hafta” instead of “have to” when they speak fast. For example:

• You have to believe me = You hafta believe me
• You have to help me = You hafta help me
• You just have to study hard = You just hafta study hard

Hasta

Instead of “has to” native speakers say “hasta“.

• Somebody has to do it = Somebody hasta do it.
• I am doing what has to be done= I’m doing what hasta be done.
• You know what has to be done = You know what hasta be done.

Learn more: What are the types of intonation in English?

2 contractions with the word “me” and how to pronounce them:

Gimme

Sometimes you hear native speakers say “gimme” instead of “give me”.

• Give me the phone = Gimme the phone.
• Give me a coffee = Gimme a coffee (note: Coffee is uncountable. However, in spoken and informal English you may hear “a coffee” instead of “a cup of coffee”)

Lemme

Instead of “let me” native speakers say “lemme”.

It’s very common to hear “lemme” instead of  “let me”. For instance:

• Let me see = Lemme see.
• Let me tell you something = Lemme tell you something.
• Let me ask you something = Lemme ask you something.

3 Contractions with reductions of the preposition “of”

When native speakers talk, they connect the words to each other instead of pronouncing them separately. This is called “connected speech”. In connected speech, the preposition “of” is often reduced and thus, makes the sound “a”.

When you want to speak fast you often reduce the pronunciation “of”. 

Look at these three common contracted forms with “of”.

Kindda

Native speakers often say “kindda” instead of “kind of”. For example:

• He is kind of cute = He is kindda cute.

Outta

As you can see in the example below, it is common to use “outta” instead of “out of”:

• I was out of control = I was outta control

Cuppa

Instead of “cup of”, native speakers say “cuppa”. For example:

• How about a cup of coffee? = How about a cuppa coffee?

2 contractions with tricky pronunciation

Dunno

Native speakers often use “dunno” instead of “don’t know”. For example:

• I don’t know about that = I dunno about that.

Tell’em

Instead of “tell them” you can say “tell’em”.

• Tell them Tommy = tell’em Tommy.
• What was I supposed to tell them? = What was I supposed to tell’em?

Conclusion

So let’s see how much you’ve learnt; look at this sentence:

• You are going to have to tell them.

Let’s see how a native speaker would read this sentence (using the correct pronunciation of contractions. )

First, instead of “you are” we can say “you’re”.

Second, instead of “going to” you can say “gonna”.

Third, instead of “have to” you can say “hafta”.

Fourth, instead of “tell them” you can say “tell’em”.

• You’re gonna hafta tell’em.

Remember: Having English pronunciation exercises is a great way to learn contractions in English. Learning the pronunciation of contracted forms and the linked speech will help you understand English movies or your favorite music in English much better. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article!