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Fun Easy English Classroom January 31
 

Classroom
Today


Learn the American
English reductions
whatsiz and whatser
American English Reductions "whatsiz" and "whatser"

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn "whatsiz" and "whatser" which are American English reductions.
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Reductions: "whatsiz"

American English reductions are reduced forms of English words.
  • This American English reduction is formed when you combine and reduce the following words.
  • whatsiz = what + is + his
  • This American English reduction is used in the following way.
  • Whatsiz name?
  • This American English reduction has the following meaning.
  • What is his name?
Examples: "whatsiz"
  • Whatsiz problem?
  • (Meaning: Why is he being so difficult?)
  • Whatsiz address?
  • (Meaning: What is the street name and number of his residence?)
  • Whatsiz phone number?
  • (Meaning: What is his telephone number?)
  • Whatsiz favorite band?
  • (Meaning: What is his favorite musical group?)
  • Whatsiz girlfriend's name?
  • (Meaning: What is the name of his girlfriend?)
Reductions: "whatser"

American English reductions are reduced forms of English words.
  • This American English reduction is formed when you combine and reduce the following words.
  • whatser = what + is + her
  • This American English reduction is used in the following way.
  • Whatser name?
  • This American English reduction has the following meaning.
  • What is her name?
Examples: "whatser"
  • Whatser problem?
  • (Meaning: Why is she being so difficult?)
  • Whatser address?
  • (Meaning: What is the street name and number of her residence?)
  • Whatser phone number?
  • (Meaning: What is her telephone number?)
  • Whatser favorite band?
  • (Meaning: What is her favorite musical group?)
  • Whatser boyfriend's name?
  • (Meaning: What is the name of her boyfriend?)
From YOUR Teacher: Whatsiz and Whatser

These American English reductions are used when asking for information about a man or a woman.
Note: Reductions

Remember the following:
  • Reductions are reduced forms of English words.
  • Reductions, such as whatsiz and whatser 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


Green Day - Whatsername

Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For much of the band's career, they have been a trio with drummer Tré Cool, who replaced John Kiffmeyer in 1990 before the recording of the band's second studio album, Kerplunk (1991). Touring guitarist Jason White became a full-time member in 2012, but returned to his role as a touring member in 2016.

This video is a good example of the usage of "whatser", and "whatsiz" English language reductions.

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

Thought I ran into you down on the street
Then it turned out to only be a dream
I made a point to burn all of the photographs
She went away and then I took a different path
I remember the face, but I can't recall the name
Now I wonder how Whatsername has been
Seems that she disappeared without a trace
Did she ever marry old Whatsizface?
I made a point to burn all of the photographs
She went away and then I took a different path
I remember the face, but I can't recall the name
Now I wonder how Whatsername has been
Remember, whatever
It seems like forever ago
Remember, whatever
It seems like forever ago
The regrets are useless in my mind (Remember, whatever)
She's in my head, I must confess (It seems like forever ago)
The regrets are useless in my mind (Remember, whatever)
She's in my head from so long ago (It seems like forever ago)
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go, go
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional conversation, listening, and reading practice.
  • Conversation Lesson - Beginner Level. Let's Learn English conversation lesson with a conversation video, a video script, audio listening practice, video speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new words section, and a writing activity.
Conversation Lesson 31 - Take Me Out to the Ball Game
(Beginner - Conversation, Listening, Reading)

In this lesson Anna wants to go to see a baseball game. The question is: what is the fastest way for her to get there? Her friends Jonathan and Ashley give her advice.
Lesson Video

Watch the video and then do the activities on this page.
Video Script

Anna: Hi, there, sports fans! Baseball is America’s sport. Today, I am going to Nationals Park. It is home to Washington, D.C.’s baseball team -- the Washington Nationals!
Anna: Hi, Jonathan!
Jonathan: Hi, Anna! Where are you going?
Anna: I am taking a bus to a Nationals baseball game!
Jonathan: Don’t take the bus. A taxi is faster than a bus.
Anna: Oh, good idea. You know I love baseball.
Jonathan: That’s great. Have fun.
Anna: In fact, I wanted to be a baseball player.
Jonathan: Is this one of your memories? I’m really busy.
Anna: This won’t take long. I can see it now... I am at home plate. I wait for the pitch. The ball comes. I swing. It’s a hit! I run to first base, second base, third base, then home plate. It’s a home run! The crowd cheers! Woo hoo!
Jonathan: You really love baseball. Have fun at the game, Anna.
Anna: Thanks, Jonathan.Taxi!
Ashley: Hi, Anna. Where are you going?
Anna: Hi, Ashley. I am going to see a Nationals baseball game!
Ashley: What time is the game?
Anna: 7 o’clock.
Ashley: Do you have a ticket?
Anna: No, not yet.
Ashley: Anna, you should go a lot earlier than 7 o’clock.
Anna: That is why I’m taking a taxi. Taxi!
Ashley: Anna, Anna, that’s not a good idea. A bicycle is faster than a taxi.
Anna: Oh, Ashley. Ashley, Ashley, Ashley. A car is faster than your bicycle.
Ashley: In D.C. traffic sometimes a bicycle is faster than a car. And right now, there is a lot of traffic.
Anna: Good point. But I don’t have a bicycle.
Ashley: Okay, Anna, you can use my bicycle.
Anna: Thanks! I really want to learn how to ride one.
Ashley: What do you mean, learn how to ride a bike? Oh, Anna! Anna, Anna!
Ashley: You know, Anna, the Metro is faster than a taxi and a bicycle. You ought to take the Metro. It’s that way.
Anna: Good idea.
Ashley: OK.
Anna: See you later!
Ashley: Bye, Anna!
Anna: Bye!
Anna: The Metro was a lot faster than a bus, taxi or bike. And now I’m at Nationals Park! Look at all these fans! So many people like to watch baseball. There’s the ticket window. What? The tickets are sold out? Nooooooo!Nooooooo! But I really want to watch a baseball game. Does anyone have an extra ticket?
Fan: Next time, you should buy your ticket online.
Anna: Thanks. Thanks a lot. It is good advice. Being early is better than being late. Until next time …
Listening

Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
Speaking

In this video, learn to say the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about ​comparative adjectives like "faster," and superlative adjectives like "fastest."
Pronunciation

Use this video to learn about pronouncing "than" in sentences with comparative adjectives.
New Words
  • base - n. any one of the four places a runner must touch in order to score in baseball
  • baseball - n. a game played on a large field by two teams of nine players who try to score runs by hitting a small ball with a long rounded stick and then running to each of the four places a runner must touch in order to score without being put out
  • better - adj. more attractive, appealing, effective or useful
  • bicycle / bike - n. a 2-wheeled vehicle that a person rides by pushing on foot pedals
  • cheer(s) - v. to shout with joy, approval, or enthusiasm
  • crowd - n. a large group of people who are together in one place
  • earlier - adv. before the usual or expected time
  • extra - adj. more than is usual or necessary
  • fan(s) - n. a person who likes and admires someone, such as a famous person, or something, such as a sport or a sports team, in a very enthusiastic way
  • faster - adv. with great speed
  • hit - v. to cause a ball to move by hitting it forcefully with a bat in baseball
  • hit - n. when a baseball player is able to successfully swing the bat and connect it with the ball
  • home plate - n. the base that a runner must touch in order to score in baseball
  • home run - n. a hit that allows the batter to go around all the bases and score a run in baseball
  • Nationals Park - n. a baseball park located in Washington, D.C. that is the home ballpark for the Washington Nationals baseball team
  • online - n. done over the Internet
  • pitch - v. to throw a ball to the player who is trying to hit the ball in baseball
  • sell out - v. to be bought until no more are available
  • swing - v. to move your arms while holding the long rounded stick that is used to hit the ball in baseball with a quick, curving motion
  • team - n. a group of people who compete in a sport or game against another group
  • than - conj. used to introduce the second or last of two or more things or people that are being compared — used with the comparative form of an adjective or adverb
  • ticket - n. a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle
  • window - n. an opening in a wall or door that usually contains a sheet of glass
Activity

Do you like to watch sports? Where do you watch them? Write to tell us about a game you saw. Try to use some of the words from this lesson, like ticket, crowd, fans, and cheer. Write about it in the Facebook Comments section below. Then practice using comparative and superlative adjectives with a friend. Click lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The page opens to a new window.
Conversation Lessons

Study all 52 English conversation lessons. Let's Learn English conversation lessons each with a conversation video, a video script, audio listening practice, video speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new words section, and a writing activity. These lessons are for beginners.
Source: Voice of America
 
Additional Information
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Pronunciation by Training Your Ears

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Long-Term Memory by Spacing Practice

The lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
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