Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
Today, let’s talk about another tiny word that changes in natural American English: TO.
In everyday English conversation, to usually reduces to a quick “tuh” sound.
- I went to bed, sounds like I went tuh bed
- I need to study, sounds like I need tuh study.
- I walk to the station sounds like, I walk tuh the station
The OO vowel sound of to becomes the unstressed schwa sound ə
Like, Nice tuh meet you. I hafta leave. I went to work
Let’s practice: Repeat after me:
- I went to work
- They go to school
- I have tuh study
Now, you’re speaking like a native!
Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Speak Naturally in a Minute. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.
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