How do native English speakers say "what was"?

Native speakers reduce "what was" to "wha'wuz" (/wʌwəz/) in natural speech. An interrogative phrase used to ask about a past event, state, or identity.

what was → wha'wuz | Elision

Q: What is the connected speech form of "what was"?

"what was" becomes "wha'wuz" — a elision pattern. The 't' sound in 'what' often disappears when it comes before 'was'. This makes the two words blend together smoothly, sounding like one shorter word.

what was → wha'wuz /wʌwəz/ Elision

An interrogative phrase used to ask about a past event, state, or identity.

The 't' sound in 'what' often disappears when it comes before 'was'. This makes the two words blend together smoothly, sounding like one shorter word.

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Step 2 · Reveal

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STANDARD FORM → REDUCED FORM

what was → wha'wuz

/wʌwəz/

An interrogative phrase used to ask about a past event, state, or identity.

The 't' sound in 'what' often disappears when it comes before 'was'. This makes the two words blend together smoothly, sounding like one shorter word.

Step 3 · Context

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Example 1

Wha'wuz that noise?

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Example 2

Wha'wuz he saying?

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Example 3

Wha'wuz your name again?

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Example 4

Wha'wuz the problem with the report?

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Example 5

Wha'wuz the score at halftime?

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what was → wha'wuz