Understanding Reductions in English Speech

This video explains how words are often combined in American English, a process known as reductions or slurring. It covers examples like 'what do you', 'what does he', 'how does it', and 'how did he', showing how these phrases are commonly shortened in speech. The video advises learners to be aware of these reductions to improve listening skills, especially in American English.

What is the term used for combining words in English?

• Elongations

• Reductions

• Contractions

• Expansions

How do Americans often pronounce 'what do you' in questions?

• What are you

• What do

• What you

• What do you

Which pronoun is more commonly used with reductions in 'what does he want'?

• He

• It

• She

• They

What sound does the 'Z' represent in 'how's it work'?

• Helping verb 'was'

• Helping verb 'has'

• Helping verb 'does'

• Helping verb 'is'

What is the contraction for 'how is it going'?

• How's going

• How it going

• How's it going

• How is going

How is 'what are you doing' often pronounced?

• What are you doing

• What you doing

• What doing

• What are doing

How is 'where did he go' often combined?

• Where he go

• Where did he go

• Where did go

• Where'd he go

What might you mistakenly hear if you're not careful with reductions?

• How do he do that

• How did he do that

• How does he do that

• How he do that

What is the general advice regarding using reductions in your own speech?

• Use them frequently

• Use them occasionally

• Avoid using them

• Never use them