Link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/NO33uFQ8sTM
Explanations and Extra Activities!
11 Informal Contractions in English
Why do these contractions exist?
In casual, fast speech, people often join words together and drop some sounds. This makes speaking quicker and easier. These informal contractions are common in everyday conversation, movies, and songs, but they are not usually used in formal writing. Learning them will help you understand native speakers better.
1. Wanna = Want to
- Meaning: To want to do something.
- How it’s formed: “Want to” → “Wanna.”
- When to use it: Very common in fast, casual speech when talking about things you want to do.
- Examples:
- I wanna eat pizza. (I want to eat pizza.)
- Do you wanna come with me? (Do you want to come with me?)
2. Gonna = Going to
- Meaning: Used for talking about future plans or intentions.
- How it’s formed: “Going to” → “Gonna.”
- When to use it: Informal conversations about the future.
- Examples:
- I’m gonna call you tonight. (I’m going to call you tonight.)
- She’s gonna start a new job next week.
3. Gotta = Have got to / Have to
- Meaning: Used to express necessity or obligation.
- How it’s formed: “Got to” → “Gotta.”
- When to use it: When telling someone something must be done.
- Examples:
- I gotta go now. (I have to go now.)
- You gotta see this movie! (You have to see this movie!)
4. Shoulda = Should have
- Meaning: Talking about something that was a good idea in the past, but didn’t happen (often regret).
- How it’s formed: “Should have” → “Shoulda.”
- When to use it: Talking about past advice or missed opportunities.
- Examples:
- I shoulda studied more for the test. (I should have studied more.)
- You shoulda told me earlier.
5. Woulda = Would have
- Meaning: Talking about something that could have happened in the past, but didn’t.
- How it’s formed: “Would have” → “Woulda.”
- When to use it: To describe hypothetical past situations.
- Examples:
- I woulda helped you if I had known. (I would have helped you…)
- She woulda called, but she lost her phone.
6. Coulda = Could have
- Meaning: Talking about something that was possible in the past, but didn’t happen.
- How it’s formed: “Could have” → “Coulda.”
- When to use it: To express missed possibilities.
- Examples:
- We coulda gone to the concert, but it rained. (We could have gone…)
- He coulda been a great singer.
7. Couldja = Could you
- Meaning: Asking if someone is able or willing to do something.
- How it’s formed: “Could you” → “Couldja.”
- When to use it: In casual speech when making polite requests.
- Examples:
- Couldja pass the salt? (Could you pass the salt?)
- Couldja help me for a second?
8. Wouldja = Would you
- Meaning: Asking if someone is willing to do something.
- How it’s formed: “Would you” → “Wouldja.”
- When to use it: In casual conversation for polite offers or requests.
- Examples:
- Wouldja like some tea? (Would you like some tea?)
- Wouldja help me move this table?
9. Watcha = What are you / What do you
- Meaning: Asking about what someone is doing or what they have.
- How it’s formed: “What are you” or “What do you” → “Watcha.”
- When to use it: In very informal speech when asking questions.
- Examples:
- Watcha doing? (What are you doing?)
- Watcha got there? (What have you got there?)
10. Lemme = Let me
- Meaning: Asking for permission or offering to do something.
- How it’s formed: “Let me” → “Lemme.”
- When to use it: When you want to do something or offer help in casual conversation.
- Examples:
- Lemme help you. (Let me help you.)
- Lemme see that picture.
11. Gimme = Give me
- Meaning: Asking someone to hand you something.
- How it’s formed: “Give me” → “Gimme.”
- When to use it: In casual conversation to request an object or action.
- Examples:
- Gimme the keys. (Give me the keys.)
- Gimme a minute to finish this.
Extra Practice Activities!
Quiz 1: Informal Contraction
Choose the correct meaning
1. I wanna eat pizza tonight.
a) I will eat pizza tonight.
b) I want to eat pizza tonight.
c) I have to eat pizza tonight.
Answer: b) I want to eat pizza tonight.
2. I’m gonna call you later.
a) I’m going to call you later.
b) I can call you later.
c) I want to call you later.
Answer: a) I’m going to call you later.
3. I gotta go now.
a) I have got to go now.
b) I want to go now.
c) I can go now.
Answer: a) I have got to go now.
4. You shoulda told me earlier.
a) You should tell me earlier.
b) You should have told me earlier.
c) You shouldn’t have told me earlier.
Answer: b) You should have told me earlier.
5. I woulda helped you, but I was busy.
a) I would help you.
b) I would have helped you.
c) I will help you.
Answer: b) I would have helped you.
6. I coulda won the race if I trained more.
a) I could have won the race.
b) I can win the race.
c) I could win the race.
Answer: a) I could have won the race.
7. Hey, couldja help me with this?
a) Could you help me with this?
b) Can you help me with this?
c) Do you want to help me with this?
Answer: a) Could you help me with this?
8. Wouldja like some coffee?
a) Will you like some coffee?
b) Would you like some coffee?
c) Do you like coffee?
Answer: b) Would you like some coffee?
9. Hey, watcha doing?
a) What are you doing?
b) What do you do?
c) What have you done?
Answer: a) What are you doing?
10. Come on, lemme explain.
a) Let me explain.
b) Let me be explained.
c) Let me to explain.
Answer: a) Let me explain.
11. Can you gimme a hand with this box?
a) Give me a hand with this box.
b) Give me my hand with this box.
c) Give me to a hand with this box.
Answer: a) Give me a hand with this box.
Quiz 2: Say It Faster with Informal Contractions
- I want to go home.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I wanna go home.
- I am going to watch a movie tonight.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I’m gonna watch a movie tonight.
- I have got to finish my homework.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I gotta finish my homework.
- You should have studied for the test.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: You shoulda studied for the test.
- He would have called you, but he forgot.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: He woulda called you, but he forgot.
- They could have won the game if they played better.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: They coulda won the game if they played better.
- Could you open the window, please?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Couldja open the window, please?
- Would you help me with this problem?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Wouldja help me with this problem?
- What are you reading?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Watcha reading?
- Let me try again.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Lemme try again.
- Give me just a second.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Gimme just a second.
Quiz 3: Say It Faster with Informal Contractions
1. I want to eat pizza tonight.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I wanna eat pizza tonight.
2. I am going to call you later.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I’m gonna call you later.
3. I have got to go now.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I gotta go now.
4. You should have told me earlier.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: You shoulda told me earlier.
5. I would have helped you, but I was busy.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I woulda helped you, but I was busy.
6. I could have won the race if I trained more.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: I coulda won the race if I trained more.
7. Could you help me with this?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Couldja help me with this?
8. Would you like some coffee?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Wouldja like some coffee?
9. What are you doing?
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Watcha doing?
10. Let me explain.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Lemme explain.
11. Give me a hand with this box.
How would you say it faster?
Answer: Gimme a hand with this box.
Informal Contractions Quiz #4
1.
A: Do you want to go to the park?
B: Yeah, I ______ go.
a) gonna
b) wanna
c) gotta
✅ Answer: wanna
2.
A: What are you going to do this weekend?
B: I’m ______ visit my parents.
a) gonna
b) shoulda
c) woulda
✅ Answer: gonna
3.
A: Have you finished your homework yet?
B: No, I ______ do it later.
a) gotta
b) coulda
c) shoulda
✅ Answer: gotta
4.
A: Why didn’t you tell me?
B: I ______ called you, but I forgot.
a) shoulda
b) woulda
c) wanna
✅ Answer: shoulda
5.
A: Why did you leave the party so early last night?
B: I ______ stayed longer, but I was tired.
a) coulda
b) woulda
c) gotta
✅ Answer: woulda
6.
A: Who did you ask for help?
B: No one, but I guess I ______ asked the teacher.
a) coulda
b) gonna
c) watcha
✅ Answer: coulda
7.
A: ________ help me with this?
B: Sure, I can.
a) Couldja
b) Gonna
c) Lemme
✅ Answer: Couldja
8.
A: _________ help me with the bags?
B: Of course.
a) Wouldja
b) Gimme
c) Gotta
✅ Answer: Wouldja
9.
A: ______ doing tonight?
B: Not much, just watching TV.
a) Watcha
b) Gonna
c) Couldja
✅ Answer: Watcha
10.
A: I need to explain something, so just _______ talk.
B: Okay, go ahead.
a) gimme
b) lemme
c) wanna
✅ Answer: lemme
11.
A: I don’t have enough time.
B: Okay, just ______ 5 minutes.
a) gimme
b) woulda
c) shoulda
✅ Answer: gimme