Let’s look at some common reductions in spoken English.

A reduction happens when two sounds come together and change into a new sound.

This usually happens because it’s faster and easier to pronounce.

Listen to these phrases:

Would you?
Wouldn’t you?
Could you?
Couldn’t you?
Did you?
Didn’t you?

Do you hear what happens when the D or T sound meets the Y sound?

In natural spoken English, these sounds blend together.

Two important combinations are:

• D + Y → sounds like “J”

• T + Y → sounds like “CH”

For example:

Would you → “wouldju”
Could you → “couldju”
Did you → “didju”

And with T + Y:

Won’t you → “wonchu”
Don’t you → “donchu”
Didn’t you → “didnchu”

You’ll hear these reductions often in everyday conversation.

Let’s practice.

Repeat after me:

Would you? Wouldn’t you?
Could you? Couldn’t you?
Did you? Didn’t you?
Should you? Shouldn’t you?
Had you? Hadn’t you?
Won’t you?

Now let’s practice in sentences.

Listen and repeat.

1. Where would you like to go?

2. Could you open the window, please?

3. Did you finish the report?

4. Why should you worry about it?

5. I wish I had your patience.

6. I want you to meet my friend.