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educationMar 15, 20261:45

1011 - TO Sounds Like TUH

About this episode

Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

Today, let’s talk about another tiny word that changes in natural American English: TO.

In everyday English conversation, to usually reduces to a quick “tuh” sound.
  • I went to bed, sounds like I went tuh bed
  • I need to study, sounds like  I need tuh study.
  • I walk to the station sounds like, I walk tuh the station


The OO vowel sound of to becomes the unstressed schwa sound  ə
Like,   Nice tuh meet you.  I hafta leave. I went to work

Let’s practice: Repeat after me:
  • I went to work
  • They go to school
  • I have tuh study

Now, you’re speaking like a native! 

Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Speak Naturally in a Minute.  Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.


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1011 - TO Sounds Like TUH

Happy English Podcast

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Full transcript

Happy English Podcast1011 - TO Sounds Like TUH. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

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Hey there, it's Michael here and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Sunday with a quick one point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. Today, let's talk about another tiny word that changes in American English. 2. In everyday English conversation, 2 usually reduces to a quick top sound. I went to bed. Sounds like I went to bed. I need to study. Sounds like I need to study. The ooo vowel sound of 2 becomes the unstressed schwa sound, uh, like nice to meet you. I have to leave. I went to work. Okay, let's practice. Repeat after me. I went to work.

They go to school. I have to study. Now, you're speaking like a native. Hey, thanks for listening. And remember to follow and subscribe so you won't miss the next tap English podcast and next weeks speak naturally in a minute. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Hi, this is Alex Cantrowitz. I'm the host of Big Technology podcast, a long time reporter and an on-air contributor to CNBC. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it. Asking where this is all going. They come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, and meetings with your

colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Spring is here and the shopping list is long. Time to make a lows run. Buy three bags, get three free. Stay green, one cubic foot garden soil. Plus, right now, members can earn four times the points on an eligible purchase. Start spring off strong with these deals and more. Our best lineup is here at Loads. Balance the 3.25, while supplies last. Soil offer excludes a lasken whoye, loyalty program subject to terms and conditions. See loads.com slash terms for details. Subject to change, point booster subject to exclusions and more terms apply. One time we'll only offer.

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