Contractions

💫 Learn some contractions and abbreviations used in conversational speech.

⚠️ Note: You are not allowed to use contractions in “writing”.

⚠️ In contrast, in international exams, using contractions just in “speaking part” increases your score.

gonna 👉 going to
I’m gonna talk to him.
we’re gonna win this game.

Gotta 👉 got to -> have to
I gotta go now. -> I have to go now.
you gotta be careful.

have gotta 👉 have got to -> have to
I’ve gotta go now. -> I have to go now.

Wanna 👉 want to
I wanna hold your hand.

Lemme 👉 let me
lemme ask you something.
lemme call you back.

Gimme 👉 give me
Gimme a break.
Gimme some money!

Outta 👉 out of
we’d better get outta here!
get outta my way!

Kinda 👉 kind of
I think it’s kinda funny.
kinda outta luck.
What kinda music do you like?

Imma 👉 I am going to
Imma talk to him.

Hafta 👉 have to, must
I hafta go now. I’ll talk to you later.

oughta 👉 ought to
It’s too late. I oughta back home right now.

shoulda 👉 should have
You shoulda done it.

Dunno 👉 don’t know/doesn’t know
I dunno what to say.

Nope/Nah/Naa 👉 No
Nope, I’m not going. I’ll be here more.

Betcha 👉 bet you
I betcha this movie is a good one, lemme buy a ticket.

Lotsa 👉 lots of
There are lotsa chicks right there.

Lotta 👉 lot of
I saw a lotta courage out there, and a lotta hard work.

Gotcha 👉 I’ve got you -> I understand
Please don’t do that again. Answer: Gotcha