Common linked to expressions. In this lesson, we're going to practice some very common expressions that have special shortened forms. I'm sure you've noticed some of these. For example, just now, when I said, we're going to practice. I didn't say, we are going to practice. Instead I said, we're going to practice. As we practice, it's important to remember that these forms are very common in speaking, but we don't write them this way in academic or business writing only in very casual notes or emails. The best known expression of this kind is the one we just heard, going to. Try saying these sentences. We're going to practice. What are you going to do this weekend? I'm going to go hiking in the mountains. But we don't change going to to going to when it's part of the main verb, as in I'm going to the supermarket. We don't say, I'm going to the supermarket. Say this sentence in it's correct form. I'm going to the supermarket. There are a few other combined expressions that also end in to. The next one is want to, it often sounds like want to. Try saying these sentences. I want to go to a movie. Do you want to have lunch? I want to become a doctor. Notice that when the words are want to, it sounds like want to. But when it's wants to, it doesn't become wannsa, it's more like wantsta. Say this sentence. He wants to become a doctor. Another combined expression is have to, which often sounds like hafta, and has to, which often sounds like hasta. Try saying these sentences. We have to study. He has to study. Does your sister have to take a test? Yes, she has to take a math test. I have to take that test too. Next, let's practice some expressions with have as their second part, especially could have, should have, and would have, which often sound like could have, should have, and would have. Try these sentences. I could have studied. I should have studied. I would have studied. If we'd known, we could have made reservations. You should reminded me earlier. If I'd gotten up earlier, I would have been on time. Finally, let's practice some expressions that end in of. Like kind of, sort of, a lot of, and lots of. These usually sound like kind of, sort of, alota, and lotsa. Try these examples. It's kind of hot today. It's sort of hot today. We have alota time. We have lotsa time. Learning pronunciation is kind of like playing tennis. It's sort of hard at first, but then it gets easier. Becoming an expert takes alota practice. Now try saying these sentences with special linked expressions. Places that can have this kind of linking are marked. I want to live where it's kind of warm all year. Are you going to tell Bob he has to help us? If I could have made it, I would have been there. Lots of people have to wear glasses. Getting used to the sound of these common linked expressions will help you understand spoken English more easily. Thank you for practicing them with us.