Your Full List of English Contractions to Sound Like a Native Speaker

Ever feel like native English speakers are speaking a totally different language? You’re not wrong. In real life, people don’t talk like language apps or classroom recordings. Instead of carefully pronouncing every single word, fluent speakers squish words together, drop sounds, and speak fast. That’s where English contractions come in.

If you want to sound more natural—and actually understand what’s being said around you—then learning how English contractions work in spoken English is a must. Below, you’ll find a list of the most common ones, how they sound, and what’s really going on when people say them.

Let’s dive into our English contractions list.

1.  Could have → Could’ve /ˈkʊdəv/ → Coulda /ˈkʊdə/

What happens: “Could have” becomes could’ve, and in fast speech, it’s often shortened even more to coulda.

Example: I coulda helped you if you’d asked.

2.  Should have → Should’ve /ˈʃʊdəv/ → Shoulda /ˈʃʊdə/

What happens: Same as above—“should have” becomes should’ve, and then shoulda in casual speech.

Example: You shoulda told me earlier!

3.  Don’t you → Don’tcha /ˈdəʊntʃə/

What happens: “Don’t” and “you” combine into don’tcha, with the t and y sounds blending into a soft ch.
Example: Don’tcha love it when everything goes right?

4.  Get you → Getcha /ˈɡɛtʃə/

What happens: “Get you” becomes getcha, similar to how “don’t you” becomes “don’tcha.”

Example: I’ll getcha some coffee on the way.

5.  Come here → Come ’ere /kʌm ɪə/

What happens: The /h/ in “here” gets dropped completely, and the two words merge smoothly.
Why it sounds that way: English speakers often drop /h/ sounds in casual speech.

Example: Come ’ere, I need your help!

6.  What are you doing? → Whatcha doin’? /ˈwɒtʃə ˈduːɪn/

What happens: “What are you” turns into whatcha (/ˈwɒtʃə/), and doing becomes doin’—that final g is nowhere to be found.

Example: Whatcha doin’ later? Wanna hang out?

7.  I do not know → I dunno /aɪ dəˈnəʊ/

What happens: “Do not” smushes into “dun”, and the whole phrase becomes one short, casual sound.

Example: I dunno why he left so early.

8.  Let me see that → Lemme see that /ˈlɛmi/

What happens: “Let me” becomes lemme, with the t disappearing completely.
Example: Lemme see that meme—send it to me!

9.  Give me a second → Gimme a sec /ˈɡɪmi ə sɛk/

What happens: “Give me” contracts to gimme, dropping the v and linking the syllables. In casual speech, “Give us” sometimes replaces “Give me” and contracts further to gi-us-a-sec /ˈɡɪəs ə sɛk/. “A second” often shortens to just a sec.

Example: Gimme a sec, I’ll call you back.
Alternate: Gi-us-a-sec, will ya?

10.  I am going to → I’m gonna /aɪm ˈɡɒnə/ → Imma /ˈɪmə/

What happens: First, “I am going to” becomes I’m gonna. But in even faster speech, especially in the U.S., “I’m gonna” turns into “Imma.”

Example: Imma head out now.
 (= I am going to head out now.)

11.  Did you have → Dya have /dʒəv/ or Dyave /dʒæv/

What happens: “Did you” blends into “d’you” or “dya”, and the word “have” often connects directly. You might hear dyave—a fully compressed version.

Example: Dyave breakfast already?

12.  I have got to go → I’ve gotta go /aɪv ˈɡɒtə ɡəʊ/ → Gotta go /ˈɡɒtə ɡəʊ/

What happens: “I’ve got to” becomes gotta, and “I’ve” sometimes gets dropped completely in quick speech.

Example: Gotta go—talk later!

13.  What is your… → What’s your… /wɒts jə/ or /wɒs jə/

What happens: “What is your” contracts to “what’s your,” and in fast, casual speech, it often reduces even more to /wɒts jə/ or /wɒs jə/, with the t sound dropped. The word “your” becomes “yə,” and the whole phrase might sound like “whassya”.

Example: What’s your name again? → Whassya name again?

14.  Do you want to…? → D’you wanna…? /dʒə ˈwɒnə/

What happens: “Do you” becomes d’you or dya, and “want to” becomes wanna. This is super common in casual conversation.

Example: Wanna grab lunch?

15.  Tell her → Tell ’er /tɛl ə/

What happens: The /h/ in “her” disappears and you’re left with ’er. This happens with “him” too:

• Tell him → Tell ’im
• Call him → Call ’im
  

Example: Tell ’er I’m busy.
Example: Tell ’im to call me later.

So there you go—with this list of English contractions under your belt, you’re already one step closer to sounding like a native speaker. Many learners focus mainly on grammatical accuracy, but mastering how English is actually spoken day to day is what truly helps you blend in and communicate naturally. It’s not just about rules—it’s about rhythm, flow, and real-world usage.

Beyond English Contractions: Learn English Your Own Way!

If you’re ready to take your English to the next level, our native English-speaking teachers at Listen & Learn are here to help. We match you with the right teacher based on the accent or dialect you want to learn, whether that’s American, British, or another variety. We offer in-person English lessons, with teachers who travel to your home, office, or chosen meeting point, as well as flexible online courses.

You’ll find us in major cities across the U.S., with English courses in Washington DC, New York, Chicago, and many other areas. Whether you’re looking to speak more clearly, understand English contractions, or work on your confidence, we’ve got the perfect teacher for you.

Contact Listen & Learn now and start sounding like the English speaker you want to be!