In this Pronunciation episode of Aussie English I show you guys how contracting AM onto the pronoun I is easy and makes you sound more like a native!

Pronunciation: I am = I’m

G’day guys. Welcome to this episode of Aussie English. Today I’m going to teach you how to contract the word “Am”. So, the present tense of the verb “To be” that pairs with the pronoun “I”. So, [the] first person singular. So, we’re going to learn how to contract “Am” onto “I”. So, “I am” becomes “I’m”.

So, let’s quickly just start this guys with a quick listen and repeat exercise where I’ll say “I am” and I want you to turn I am into “I’m”, or just listen along and repeat after me.

Listen and repeat:

I am – I’m x 10

And now we’ll just go through a substitution exercise where I’ll say a series of sentences in pairs, and the first sentence is going to not include the contraction of “Am” onto the pronoun “I”. So, it will be “I am” instead of “I’m” and I want you to listen to the first sentence and try and contract “I am” into “I’m” and repeat that sentence. If this is a little too advanced for you at this stage just treat the substitution exercise like a listen and repeat exercise, and keep practicing until you can do it as a substitution exercise. So, let’s go guys.

Substitution exercise:

I am happy.

I’m happy.

I am feeling cold.

I’m feeling cold.

I am aware that I am late.

I’m aware that I’m late.

I am looking for a map of the city.

I’m looking for a map of the city.

Do you know where I am hiding?

Do you know where I’m hiding?

I am young, but I am willing to learn.

I’m young, but I’m willing to learn.

I am proud to say that I am your son.

I’m proud to say that I’m your son.

I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

I am glad that I am living in Melbourne.

I’m glad that I’m living in Melbourne.

I am Pete, and I am the one teaching you English.

I’m Pete, and I’m the one teaching you English.

So, that’s it for this short episode guys. I hope that helps you improve your pronunciation of the words “I am” and how they’re pronounced when they’re contracted together into the form “I’m”. Listen and repeat this exercise until it becomes natural guys, and I look forward to seeing you in the next episode. See you!