Natural ways to shorten formal phrases in conversation
Natural ways to shorten formal phrases in conversation include using contractions, reductions, and informal equivalents that make speech flow more smoothly and sound more casual yet natural.
Common Techniques to Shorten Formal Phrases
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Use Contractions: Joining words by omitting certain letters and replacing them with apostrophes, like “I’m” for “I am,” “you’re” for “you are,” “can’t” for “cannot,” and “won’t” for “will not.” This makes speech more concise and approachable. 5
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Reductions: Shortening function words by dropping sounds or syllables, such as saying “gonna” instead of “going to,” “wanna” instead of “want to,” “cuz” for “because,” and reducing “for the” to a quicker form with unstressed sounds. These changes help create the natural rhythm and music of everyday speech, used even in some formal settings. 4, 6
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Replace Formal Words with Phrasal Verbs: Instead of more formal vocabulary, native speakers often use common phrasal verbs that are shorter and more conversational. Examples:
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Omit Non-Essential Words: In casual conversation, non-essential words can be dropped without losing meaning. For example, “How are you?” can be shortened to “How’re you?” or just “How’s it going?”. 7
Examples
| Formal Phrase | Shortened/Natural Form |
|---|---|
| I am going to the party | I’m gonna go to the party |
| Do you want to meet later? | Wanna get together later? |
| Because it was raining | Cuz it was raining |
| I cannot do it | I can’t do it |
| Let us continue | Let’s carry on |
These methods help conversations sound more natural, fluent, and less stiff, getting closer to how native speakers actually communicate in everyday situations. 6, 4, 5
In summary, incorporating contractions, reductions, phrasal verbs, and omitting unnecessary words naturally shortens formal phrases in conversation and helps achieve a more relaxed yet effective communication style.