In this episode of Aussie English we’ll learn a little about the way the pronunciation of words like “need to”, “got to” and “have to” change as Aussies speak more rapidly at a natural speed.

• Need to –> Needa
• Have to –> Havta/Havda
• Got to –> Gotta/Godda

Note: these changes in pronunciation only take place when these present tense verbs are followed by an infinitive verb, e.g. “I have to go” –> “I havda go”.

If these words are followed by the number two, e.g. I have two dogs, even though “have to” and “have two” sound exactly the same the pronunciation does not change in the case of “have two” and you would always say “I have two dogs”.

Examples in this lesson:

• I need to go to the shops to buy food.
• I needa go to the shops to buy food.

• I have to get up early tomorrow.
• I havta get up early tomorrow / I havda get up early tomorrow

• I’ve got to go to work at 8pm.
• I’ve gotta go to work at 8pm. / I’ve godda go to work at 8pm.

• He needs to get ready to leave.
• He needsda get ready to leave.

• She has to work late tonight.
• She hasda work late tonight.

• He’s got to kick a lot of goals in the game.
• He’s godda kick a lot of goals in the game.

Second section, e.g. “need to” or “need two”:

• I need to go to the shops
• I needa go to the shops

• I need two hours to finish the essay.
• I need two hours to finish the essay.

• I have two friends on Facebook
• I have two friends on Facebook

• I have to be there by lunchtime
• I havta be there by lunchtime

• I’ve got two dogs.
• I’ve got two dogs.

• I’ve got to ask you something.
• I’ve gotta ask you something.

Aussie Expression: “Like a stunned mullet”

• You look like a stunned mullet.
• She was walking around like a stunner mullet.

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