Page 170 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Appendix C

haven’t hadn’t
couldn’t shouldn’t
wouldn’t mustn’t
I’ll you’ll
she’ll he’ll
we’ll they’ll
there’s

Contractions are often difficult to pronounce for nonnative speak-
ers. Ask an American colleague, acquaintance, or friend to say them
for you—maybe even record them—so that you can hear them said
correctly. “Ain’t” is a nonstandard English contraction for “isn’t.” You
may hear it, but don’t ever use it or write it.

Non-Rigid Pronunciation

You will certainly hear reductions, or non-rigid pronunciations, in
informal situations. Do not use these forms in writing. Here are some
examples of correct speech compared with non-rigid pronunciation
in conversations. The non-rigid pronunciation is between slashes (//)
under the formal pronunciation.

In an Office
John: How’s your new office?
/How’s yer new office?/
Pete: It’s nice; how’s yours?
/It’s nice; how’s yers?/
Would you like to see it?
/Wouldja like ta see it?/
John: Later, I have to see the boss now.
/Later, I hafta see the boss now./
Pete: What do you want to see him for?
/Whaddaya wanna see him fer?/

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