Pronunciation and speaking: Sound natural (1)

Contractions (he is → he’s)
Lower level English (A1-A2)

Speakers of English sometimes pronounce two words as one word. May be you have noticed this with the verb ‘be’.  This is normal in speaking and is also done in informal writing (after pronouns). Here are some examples with verbs. Try saying them aloud.

He is very young → He’s very young
I am hungry → I’m hungry
They are lucky → They’re lucky
You would like this → You’d like this
He will help you → He’ll help you
It will be OK → It’ll be OK
I have got a question → I’ve got a question

There is a taxi → There’s a taxi
Where is your friend → Where’s your friend?
Something is wrong → Something’s wrong
Tom is sleeping → Tom’s sleeping

With negatives:

He is not coming → He isn’t coming
She will not be coming → She won’t be coming
I am not happy → I’m not happy
I would not like that → I wouldn’t like that
I have not got a clue → I haven’t got a clue
We cannot make it → We can’t make it (long vowel in ‘can’t’ as in ‘bar‘)
I really must not do it → I really mustn’t do it (the first ‘t’ in ‘mustn’t’ is silent)

Try to listen for these contractions and use them yourself. This will make your pronunciation much more natural.