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.
