Reductions: it’s a, got to, Toronto

Which is the more natural way to say this sentence, 1 or 2?

It’s a wonderful place to live.

That’s because the words It’s a is reduced. A reduction happens when a sound is not said in a word or between words or when words are said less clearly. Like linking, a reduction is another way that a fluent English speaker saves time and breath when they speak.

In spoken English, It’s a can sound like itza and got to can sound like gotta.

Also, Toronto has a reduced form.

Most people who live in this major Canadian city don’t say To-ron-to, clearing pronouncing each letter. They usually say the city name without the first “o” and second “t”: Trono.

Practice

Listen and then repeat these lines from the conversation.