How to Pronounce Contractions in American English
Josh’s Part 2 covers everyday informal contractions Americans use to keep speech short: lemme, wanna, lotta/lotsa, gotta, gimme, gonna, hafta/hasta, kinda, ’cause, c’mon.
Use them in real lines (email, meetings, home) the way Josh models — including flap T in lotta and gotta — so you sound fluid and get understood the first time.
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Steps
- Review Part 1 basics if needed (Josh links it for correct pronunciation of core contractions), then move to these informal forms.
- Learn each form’s meaning: lemme (let me), wanna (want to), lotta/lotsa (a lot of / lots of), gotta (have to / got a), gimme (give me), gonna (going to).
- Add hafta / hasta (have to / has to — Josh notes hafta with an f), kinda (a little), ’cause (because), c’mon (come on).
- Watch flap T: Josh marks lotta and gotta with a flap (la-duh / gah-duh).
- Insert them into daily speech — Josh’s own examples include email, meetings, projects, and late work.
Examples
From Josh’s lesson (everyday + work mix):
- Lemme get back to you on that. · Lemme finish this email before we leave.
- Wanna grab lunch? · I wanna go to the beach.
- She spends a lotta time in meetings. · Lotsa people like working from home.
- I hafta finish the project. · She hasta work late tonight.
- It’s gonna rain. · Gimme a hand please. · We should cancel the event ’cause it’s gonna rain.
15 minutes · live 1:1 with Josh · get understood the first time
Common questions
Are these “real” English or only slang?
Josh calls them informal contractions people use day to day — not usually taught in school, but common in natural conversation, including professional settings.
What is special about lotta and gotta?
Josh trains them with a flap T (la-duh / gah-duh), same American flap pattern as in other words.
Where should I start?
Josh suggests inserting these into your speech as much as possible after you know the forms — start with lemme, wanna, gonna, and hafta in lines you already say.