English grammar
Fast, casual speech: goin' / gonna, statement-order questions, a thingy, ace, have someone on
Follow fast, casual spoken English: dropped sounds, statement-order questions, thingy, ace, have someone on.
From the scene You want what?
In short
In fast casual speech, endings disappear (gonna), questions keep statement order (You want what?), and words like thingy and ace appear.
Your turn
Which one goes with question in statement order (surprise)?
Options: you want what? · how ya doin'? · it's gonna be ace · a thingy, a whatsit
Show answer
question in statement order (surprise) → you want what?
How it works
In fast, relaxed speech, endings get swallowed (goin', gonna, dunno) and questions often keep statement order with the question word at the end, said with rising surprise: You want what?
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
"Having someone on" means pulling their (blank), Doña Elena.
Options: arm · leg · hair
Show answer
"Having someone on" means pulling their leg, Doña Elena.
«Vacilar» a alguien es tomarle el pelo, doña Elena.
Good to know
A thingy (or a whatsit) is any thing whose name won't come; ace means great; to have someone on is British for teasing or pulling their leg.
Good to know
Understand all of these, but don't write them in an email.
swallowed endings how ya doin'? · it's gonna be ace
question in statement order (surprise) you want what?
Javi
In casual speech questions can keep statement order: "You want what?"
Al hablar rápido, las preguntas pueden mantener el orden de una afirmación: «¿Quieres qué?»
Your turn
What fills the gap?
In casual speech questions can keep statement order: "(blank)?"
Options: How ya doin' · it's gonna be ace · A thingy, a whatsit · You want what
Show answer
Javi
In casual speech questions can keep statement order: "You want what?"
Al hablar rápido, las preguntas pueden mantener el orden de una afirmación: «¿Quieres qué?»
any thing you can't name a thingy, a whatsit
Javi
"Thingy" is anything: a whatsit, a doodah... when the word won't come!
«Chisme» es cualquier cosa: un cacharro, un trasto... ¡cuando no te sale la palabra!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Thingy" is anything: (blank), a doodah... when the word won't come!
Options: how ya doin' · it's gonna be ace · you want what · a whatsit
Show answer
Javi
"Thingy" is anything: a whatsit, a doodah... when the word won't come!
«Chisme» es cualquier cosa: un cacharro, un trasto... ¡cuando no te sale la palabra!
great (British, informal) ace
Javi
"Ace" means great. And then he said he was having me on.
«Una pasada» es genial. Y luego dijo que me estaba vacilando.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank)" means great. And then he said he was having me on.
Options: You want what · Ace · How ya doin' · it's gonna be ace
Show answer
Javi
"Ace" means great. And then he said he was having me on.
«Una pasada» es genial. Y luego dijo que me estaba vacilando.
to tease, to pull someone's leg he was having me on
Javi
"Ace" means great. And then he said he was having me on.
«Una pasada» es genial. Y luego dijo que me estaba vacilando.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Ace" means great. And then he said (blank).
Options: you want what · he was having me on · how ya doin' · it's gonna be ace
Show answer
Javi
"Ace" means great. And then he said he was having me on.
«Una pasada» es genial. Y luego dijo que me estaba vacilando.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| swallowed endings | how ya doin'? · it's gonna be ace |
|---|---|
| question in statement order (surprise) | you want what? |
| any thing you can't name | a thingy, a whatsit |
| great (British, informal) | ace |
| to tease, to pull someone's leg | he was having me on |
More lines from the story
- Javi"Having someone on" means pulling their leg, Doña Elena.«Vacilar» a alguien es tomarle el pelo, doña Elena.
- JaviMy uncle Efraín, from Barranquilla. He is from the coast.Mi tío Efraín, de Barranquilla. Es costeño.
- ElenaHe spoke incredibly fast and swallowed half his words.Hablaba rapidísimo y se comía la mitad de las palabras.