Reductions in English Grammar

Reductions in English Grammar

Reductions are shortened versions of words or phrases used in informal speech. They often combine words, omit sounds, or use contractions to create a faster and more casual way of speaking.

Examples include “gonna” for “going to” and “wanna” for “want to.” While common in spoken language, these reductions are generally not considered appropriate in formal writing.

Let’s learn contractions.

Here, we will learn how to make reductions. In this section, we have to join word + me.

• Gimme __ Give me

Gimme a cup of water.

Gimme some money.

• Lemme __ Let me

Lemme show you something.

Lemme ask a question to you.

Here we will learn about the section What+is+word.

• What is up __ Wassup

Hello! Wassup?

• What is her __ Whatser

Whatser name again?

• What is his __ Whatsis

Whatsis number again?

Here we will learn about the section word + have.

• Could have __ Coulda

I coulda finished my work on time.

• Might have __ Mighta

Mighta forgotten my keys.

• Must have __ Musta

Musta left their phone at home.

• Should have __ Shoulda

You shoulda studied more.

• Would have __ Woulda

• Going + to __ Gonna

I’m going to the store.

• Got + to __ Gotta

I gotta finish this report.

• have + to __  hafta

We hafta study for the test.

• Has  + to __ Hasta

She hasta water the plants.

• Want + to __ Wanna

Do you wanna play a game?

• Ought + to __  Oughta

You oughta apologize for your mistake.

 

Here we will learn about the section word + of.

• Kinds + of __ Kindsa

This movie is kind of boring, don’t you think?

• Lot + of __ Lotta

Do you have lotta work to do?

• Lots + of __ Lotsa

I have lotsa homework to finish tonight.

• Out + of __ Outta

We’re outta milk, need to pick some up at the store.

• Sort + of __ Sorta

I’m sorta tired, maybe I should take a nap.

• Type + of __ Typa

What type of music do you like to listen to?

• Front + of __ Frunna

I’m standing in frunna door.

 

Here we will learn about the section word + you.

• Don’t + you __  Dontcha

Don’tcha like pizza?

• Get + you __  Getcha

I’ll getcha a water bottle.

• See + you __  Seeya

Seeya later!

• Bet + you __  Betcha

I betcha didn’t know that.

• Got + you __  Gotcha

I gotcha hiding behind the door!

 

Let’s learn about some other reductions.

• How + do + you __ How’dya

How’dya like your coffee?

• How + did + you __ How’dja

How’dja do that?

• Did+ you __ Dja

Dja go to the gym today?

• What + are + you __ Whataya

Whataya doing?

• What + do + you __ Whadaya

Whadaya think you are doing?

• Want + you __ Wantcha

I wantcha in my office right now!

• What + did + you __ What’dja

What’dja think about the next session of the online class?

• What + do + you __ What’dya

What’dya think?

• When+ do+ you __ When’dya

When’dya finish writing your report?

• When+ did+ you __ When’dja

When’dja finish writing your letter?

• Where+ do + you __ Where’dya

Where’dya live nowadays?

• Where+ did + you __ Where’dja

Where’dja go out last night?

• Who+ do+ you __ Who’dya

Who’dya wants to see it?

• Who+ did + you __ Who’dja

Who’dja see you at the party?

• Why+ do+ you __ Why’dya

Why’dya go the Lahore?

• Why+ did + you __ Why’dja

Why’dja need money?

• Would+ you __ Wouldya

Wouldya like me to help you with something?

• Don’t + know __ Dunno

I dunno where is your pen.

 

Conclusion

Reductions in English grammar, also known as reduced speech, are a natural part of spoken English. They don’t necessarily signify a decline in the language, but rather a way for speakers to communicate more fluently. Understanding these shortcuts can help you comprehend native speakers better and sound more natural yourself in casual conversation. However, it’s important to be aware that reductions are generally not appropriate in formal writing.

This post is related to grammar learning. For grammar learning click the link and read the post “how to start grammar learning” in detail.