In this English pronunciation tutorial, you’re going to learn how to stop making a basic English speaking mistake, which nearly all learners of English make. 

So what is the mistake?

It’s responding to a question or a statement, with the word ‘it’s’, on its own.  When you’re speaking English, shortening the phrase ‘it is’ to ‘it’s’, is something that we do all the time. It makes speaking the language easier.

However, there are certain situations where it is not acceptable to do so, and this situation is the worst.

If I ask you a question and you want to respond by just saying ‘it is’, you can’t shorten this to ‘it’s’. If you want to respond by saying ‘it’s’, you have to follow up something else.

Here are some examples to help clarify this point:

Me: ‘Your name is Khalil isn’t it?’

Correct response: ‘It is.’

Correct response: ‘it’s not no’

Incorrect response: ‘it’s’

Me: ‘It’s lovely weather isn’t it?’

Correct response: ‘It is.’

Correct response: ‘it’s glorious yes’’

Incorrect response: ‘it’s’

Me: ‘Is it hot today?’

Correct response: ‘It is.’

Correct response: ‘it’s very hot yes’

Incorrect response: ‘it’s’

To summarise in 3 easy points:

It’s ok to respond with ‘it is’, and nothing else

It’s ok to respond with ‘it’s …’ it’s plus something else

It’s NOT ok to respond with ‘it’s’ and nothing else.