Catch Those
Fast Starts

People who have spoken English a long time, including many native speakers, will sometimes shake their heads at how quickly we jam common starting words together at the beginning of a sentence.

This happens particularly in questions, where the speaker will often slow down after a rapid start. Because those first words should orient the listener to the rest of the sentence, there are times when a frustrated listener just can't catch up...

We know that English has an ability -- and in fact a tendency -- to force words together. Contractions like won't, doesn't, can't, you're, it's and many more are part of both reading and speaking English. They were so common in speech that they became part of the written English, even that used in everyday business. Some educators feel these phrasings are ignorant or sloppy pronunciation, but many are now realizing that any learner who is trying to use English must quickly analyze the rapid starts many speakers employ. So, with all due respect to the proper English teachers: It's not about judging someone's social status...It's about total mastery of English whenever you hear it. It's about your survival in this jungle of words. No one will be there to cut your trail for you, but the best teachers will have shown you how.

What You Can Do:

(1) Expect questions.
Often we expect a declarative answer to our question, when in fact the response may be another question. Very often those rapid words will include who, what, when, why, where, which, how, can, will and did you or do you.

(2) Collect these rapid beginnings.
Most English speakers will repeat the sentence for you slowly. But that's not what you want. There are not too many of these fast starts, so you should collect them and memorize them so they won't confuse you ever again!

Here are 21 crazy fast starts to begin your collection:

Dya know what you want to eat? Do you know...

Whenel we get there? When will we....

Whadeesay? What did he say?

Whydja say that to her? Why did you....

Wherelwe go now? Where will we....

Howja know that song? How did you....

Whoddee say told him that? Who did he....

Whaja have for lunch? What did you....

Whenddee say we should come? When did he....

Whichelbe the best road? Which will be....

Whodever go there? Who would ever....

Whervya been? Where have you....

Canee open it? Can he....

Willee make it? Will he....

Whenja go to India? When did you....

And, of course, from above:

Dja find a good book? Did you find....

Hool come with us?? Who will come....

Howl we get there? How will we....

Whyr we doing this? Why are we....

Whatalee say next? What will he....

Wherddee go? Where did he....