There’s one simple trick to sound natural in English: focus on contractions.
In everyday English, native speakers, in certain cases, do not pronounce the full form of words -they contract them so that the speech flows smoothly.
Instead of saying:
“I will go out”
“I would like to see it”
“It would have been better to stay home”
Native speakers often say:
“I’ll go out.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“It would’ve been better to stay home.”
Notice how:
“I will” → “I’ll”
“I would” → “I’d”
“It would have been” → “It would’ve been”
Mastering contractions can instantly make your English sound smoother and more natural.
Practice Contractions and Strong and Weak Forms of Words
Lesson 43 in the Business English Speech app (based on the book Get Rid of your Accent for Business) focuses entirely on contractions. You’ll:
Lesson 6 in the app Fluent English Speech (based on the book Get Rid of your Accent Part Two, Advance Level)
Discover which words native speakers naturally contract
Perfect pronunciation
Sharpen your skills with 12 hands-on exercises
Get the books and apps today and start sounding natural in English!
Warmly
Olga Smith