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Casual English

Once again, let's start by defining Casual American English. Here are some good times to use it:

* when you want to speak quickly
* when speaking with coworkers that you know well
* when talking about casual subjects such as family life, TV shows or movies
* when telling jokes or using idioms

Whether or not you want to use casual English regularly, it is good to practice it. In standard American English, there are a few significant changes in sound. If you do not know about them, you may misunderstand people (or people may misunderstand you). Casual English is frequently used in fast-paced business environments.

There are 5 overall changes you can make:
* speak quickly and smoothly
* stress fewer words
* pause less often
* use contractions whenever possible
* reduce more small words

Here is a list of the changes in sound that you can make. These are the main changes--a few extra possibilities will be listed in the lessons. Always remember that there is a very fine line between formal and casual speech in American English. And of course, word and sound choices vary with different personalities. Some people will speak quite casually all the time while others will speak more carefully or deliberately.

Watch Video Lesson

Word
 Sound Change
 Example
Our
 sounds like "ar"
 Let's work on ar project.
Are
 sounds like 'r or becomes contract
 The managers 'r coming soon.
Will
 drop the "wi" and attach to previous word,
use as a contraction
 There'll be a new system in place.
The boss'll approve it tomorrow.
Going to
 say "gunnu" when speaking about an intention*
 He's gunnu buy the new phone.
Want to
 say "wunnu"
 I wunnu finish the project soon.
Have to
 say "haftu"
 We haftu finish by Monday.
To = d'
 if "to" comes between vowel sounds it can be a D
this also works with final N + "to"
 We're meeting from two d' six.
They plan d' go later.
Have
 can drop the H in have, has, and had
also speak the A sound lightly**
 Where 'ave you been?
How 'as she been doing?
He, Him, His, Her
 can drop the H in these pronouns**
be sure to say a Long E with reduced "he"
 Did 'er doctor call?
Is 'ee home yet?
Them
 say "um"
 I didn't see 'um.
that
 say "thet"
 I know thet it's late.
Final T + You
 change T to a light "ch"
 How abou'choo?
You
 can become yu when speaking very quickly
 Wha'chu been up to?
Your
 say "yr"
 This is yr last warning.
* don't do this if speaking about a place: I'm going to the store.
** don't drop the H if it's the first word in a sentence.







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