Contractions in Fast Speech — I'd've, That'd, What'll
B2 · Connected Speech · I would have → I'd've · that would → that'd · what will → what'll
Every learner knows I'm and don't. Fast American speech goes further: 'I would have gone' compresses to 'I'd've gone', 'That would be' to 'That'd be'. You will hear these daily — this lesson makes them visible, then lets you practice the safe, common ones.
Step 1 — Notice
- would → 'd: I'd go, that'd be great.
- will → 'll: what'll we do?, it'll rain.
- have → 've: should've, could've, I'd've — never write 'should of'.
- Double contractions (I'd've) are speech-first: understand them everywhere, write them almost nowhere.
Step 2 — Listen
AI-generated American voice. Natural first, then slow. Listen as many times as you need.
I'd like to go.
I would — the everyday 'd.
That'd be great.
That would — smooth and natural.
What'll we do?
What will — one quick beat.
You should've told me.
Should have — hear the 've.
I'd've gone with you.
The double: I would have, fully compressed.
Step 3 — Notice the Difference
Careful
I would have gone.
Natural American
I'd've gone.
Three words → one beat. Understand it instantly; produce it when you're ready.
Careful
That would be great.
Natural American
That'd be great.
The most useful 'd contraction after I'd.
Careful
You should have told me.
Natural American
You should've told me.
It's HAVE — writing 'should of' is a real spelling error.
Ear Training — Which Word Did You Hear?
Play the word, then choose what you heard. After you answer, hear both words and compare.
Step 4 — Repeat & Record
Say each model out loud, right after the voice. Then record yourself saying the target line: I'd like to go.
Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Step 5 — Compare & Self-Check
Play your recording from Step 4. Then play the model again. No scores — just honest ears. Tick what you truly did:
Step 6 — Shadow
The text starts hidden. Listen first, then reveal it, then speak with the voice — same rhythm, half a second behind.
That'd be great — we'll see you there.
Practice Quiz
Keep going
🇺🇸 Real American Listening — hear it in real conversation🎙️ Speaking Studio — use your voice in dialogues🌱 Vocabulary Builder — words with pronunciation🔗 Phrasal Verbs Lab📚 Graded Stories — shadow a story← Previous lesson · B2 — all lessons · Next: B2 level page →
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