Skip to main content
Humanities LibreTexts

4.6: Speaking and Listening Tip- Reduced speech

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    51364

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Directions: Reduced speech is used when people are talking quickly or informally. It is not used in writing. Study and listen to the examples below then practice reading the conversation at the bottom.

    clipboard_e3a86005191e65ccc617ea1de014b2e86.png

    Unreduced speech:

    A: Hey! Want to go to a restaurant later?

    B: No, I can’t! I’m going to go to the party. Are you going to go?

    A: Yes, but I have to pick up a lot of snacks on the way.

    B: No problem. Do you want to stop by the mall too? I’ve got to buy a birthday present. How about you?

    A: Perfect! I want to buy one too. Could you call me when you’re close to my house?

    B: Sure! See you soon!

    Reduced speech:

    A: Hey! Wanna go to a restaurant later?

    B: No, I can’t! I’m gonna go to the party? Arya gonna go?

    A: Yes, but I have to pick up a lotta snacks on the way.

    B: No problem. D’ya wanna stop by the mall too? I’ve gotta buy a birthday present. How bouchu?

    A: Perfect! I wanna buy one too. Couldja call me when you’re close to my house?

    B: Sure! Seeya soon!

    This page titled 4.6: Speaking and Listening Tip- Reduced speech is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Della Jean Abrahams (PDXOpen publishing initiative) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.