Fun Easy English Classroom October 21
 
 
 
 

Classroom
Today


Learn American
English reduction
coulda
American English Reduction "coulda"

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn "coulda" an American English reduction.
Hey if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English dictionary (opens in a new window)
Quick Links
Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec October
Dates 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  
Reductions: "coulda"

American English reductions are reduced forms of English words.
  • This American English reduction is formed when you combine and reduce the following words.
  • coulda = could + have
  • This American English reduction is used in the following way.
  • I coulda eaten one more cookie.
  • This American English reduction has the following meaning.
  • I could have eaten one more cookie.
Examples: "coulda" (reading and reductions)
  • I coulda been a contender.
  • (Meaning: I could have been a contender.)
  • She coulda been a little nicer.
  • (Meaning: She could have been a little nicer.)
  • He coulda been a bit quieter.
  • (Meaning: He could have been a bit quieter.)
  • I coulda spent another week with that girl.
  • (Meaning: I could have spent another week with that girl.)
  • They coulda won the game if the other quarterback was playing.
  • (Meaning: They could have won the game if the other quarterback was playing.)
Fun Easy English Reductions Lessons
From YOUR Teacher: Coulda

Coulda is used quite often in normal conversation especially among kids.
Note: Reductions

Remember the following:
  • Reductions are reduced forms of English words.
  • Reductions, such as coulda are not real words in English.
  • You need to use reductions in order to sound more natural.
  • You need to know reductions in order to understand conversations between native English speakers.
  • Reductions are used extensively in American TV, movies, music, literature, and in conversations among native English speakers.
Reductions In Music and TV


Brian McKnight - Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

Brian Kelly McKnight (born June 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. McKnight is most recognized for his strong falsetto and belting range. His work has earned him 16 Grammy Awards nominations, third only to Zubin Mehta and Snoop Dogg for the record of most Grammy nominations without a win. McKnight was born in Buffalo, New York to Claude McKnight, Jr. and Ruth Elaine Willis. His musical career began in childhood when he became a member of his church choir.

This video is a good example of the usage of "coulda", "gotta", "wanna", "shoulda", and "woulda" English language reductions.

Use a dictionary to look up words you do not understand.
Lyrics

Hmm, yeah, alright, yeah
Listen
Baby, can you put them bags down
Just wait, hold on for a minute
Gotta say a couple things before you go
Even though I know that we're finished
I don't want you to leave without knowing
Just where I'm coming from, babe
I just wanna say I made a big mistake
And now I gotta face the fact that I
Shoulda been a better man
The kind of man that you needed
Woulda been better off
If I'd done right by you
I coulda done this, I coulda done that
But I know I can't go back
'Cause now it's just too late
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah
I can tell by the look on your face
You ain't trying to hear what I'm saying
Maybe you done heard all of this before
Girl, this ain't no game that I'm playing
This may be the last chance I'll ever have
To talk to you before you go
So I gotta say, I made a big mistake
Girl, you know it's killing me, that I
Shoulda been a better man
The kind of man that you needed
Woulda been better off
If I'd done right by you
I coulda done this, and I coulda done that
But I know I can't go back
'Cause now it's just too late
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah
I should have done my best to love you, baby
I should have placed no one above you
And now it's killing me more than you know
Letting you go
That's why I
Girl, I know that I shoulda
Shoulda been a better man
The kind of man that you needed
(Coulda been a better man to you, baby)
Woulda been better off
(Shoulda been there for yah, every time you needed me)
If I'd done right by you
(Every time you called me)
I coulda done this, and I coulda done that
(And you that coulda done this, coulda done that, yeah)
But I know I can't go back
(But now I can't go back, baby)
'Cause now it's just too late
(All I need to now is, girl, all I need to know is)
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah
(Do you still love me like you used to, baby?)
I know I shoulda, babe
I know I woulda, yeah
(All the things I could have done)
I know I coulda been a better man
(All the things I shoulda done)
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah
I know I shoulda, babe
I know I woulda, yeah
I know I coulda been a better man
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah, yeah
 
Additional Information
Study Tips
(Beginner - Listening)

Avoid Ineffective Study Methods. An audio lesson to help you study English more effectively. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English study tips.
Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.