10 common English abbreviations: what they mean and how to use them
'08.11.2020'
Source: "Your English" in "Yandex.Zen"
Anyone who starts to learn English or listens to foreign songs notice the abundance of abbreviations in this language. American English has an unspoken rule: the shorter the better, explains the channel's author. "Your English" on "Yandex.Zen".
This article will not talk about the generally accepted grammatical abbreviations (such as: I'm, he's, we're, etc.), namely, the ones formed as a result of the merging of words and the rapid, reduced pronunciation of abbreviations.
Also, such and similar abbreviations can be used only in informal, colloquial speech, in no case - in official, formal.
1. Gotta [ˈɡɒt.ə] [gАte] = got to = have got to = have to
The same as the modal verb have to - it is necessary, forced.
I've gotta go = I gotta go = I've got to go = I have to go = I have to go.
Or, even shorter: Gotta go! - It's time to run!
2. Gonna [ˈɡɔːnə] [gona] = going to - to gather, to intend
The expression to be going to conveys the idea of the intention to do something.
We're gonna watch a movie - We're going to watch a movie.
What are you gonna do? - What are you going to do?
Translated into Russian, it is sometimes conveyed simply by the verb of action in the future tense:
I'm not gonna tell you - I won't tell you.
My sister's gonna go to Prague - My sister is going to Prague.
3. Imma [Amma] / I'ma = I am going to - I am going to, I am going to
Similar to the previous one, this abbreviation is often rendered in Russian by the future tense:
Imma order a pizza - I'll order a pizza.
Imma tell you everything - I'll tell you everything.
On the subject: The rules of the English language that Americans themselves constantly violate
4. Kinda [ˈkaɪ.ndə] [kAnde] = kind of = sort of = sorta [ˈsɔːtə] [sOrte] - like, like, like, like, a little, pretty
These phrases soften the expression, make it less categorical, add a note of uncertainty:
It's kinda sad - It's kinda sad.
I'm sorta exited about that trip - I'm pretty happy about this trip.
She sorta scared me - She scared me a little.
5. Ain't [eint] [Aint] = am not / are not / is not / have not / has not - not
“Ain't” is a universal negative auxiliary verb that replaces and abbreviates almost anything that can be replaced and abbreviated:
It ain't fair = It isn't fair - It's not fair.
She ain't finished her work yet = She hasn`t finished her work yet - She has not finished her work yet.
6. Wanna [ˈwɒn.ə] [wOone] = want to = want a - want
This abbreviation can be translated into Russian by any form of the verb “want” in the present tense:
I wanna go home = I want to go home - I want to go home.
7. Whatcha [wɑːtʃə] [wooche] = What are you = What have you
Whatcha gonna do? = What are you gonna do? - What are you going to do?
Whatcha got there? = What have you got here? - What have you got here?
8. Outta [ˈaʊt̬ ə] [Aute] = out of - out, out
The translation will depend on the context and word combination:
We're outta town at the moment = We're out of town at the moment - We're not in town now.
She just grabbed those case files and ran outta here - She just grabbed those case files and ran away from here.
9. Gimme [ˈɡɪm.i] [gimi] = give me - give me
Gimme your hand - Give me your hand.
On the subject: Phrasal verbs in English: simple rules of use with examples
10. Gotcha [ˈɡɒtʃ.ə] [gache] = got you - understood / got caught
The meaning depends on the context:
Gotcha! - Got it!
Right, I gotcha - Yeah, I got it.
Original column published on the blog. "Your English" on "Yandex.Zen"
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