Short Contractions (it's, that's) ɪ→∅

In single-syllable -ts contractions (it's = it + is, that's = that + is, what's = what + is, let's = let + us), the unstressed vowel of the enclitic ("is" /ɪ/ or "us" /ə/) is completely elided in fast speech, leaving only the final /ts/ cluster.

Start here

When Americans say it's cold at full conversational speed, the /ɪ/ in it's shrinks to nothing — what linguists call vowel elision in contractions. What comes out is a quick ts snap before cold. The same compression hits other single-syllable -ts contractions: that's right, what's up, let's go all squeeze the vowel between their consonants down to almost zero in casual speech. Your tongue keeps the consonant frame and skips the vowel filling, because your brain — and your listener's — has already filled in the word from context.

How it triggers

Watch it happen in real words.

Three example words showing exactly when this rule fires.

it's

It's sits at the unstressed start of so many sentences (it's fine, it's cold, it's raining) that the /ɪ/ vowel takes the heaviest compression on the page. In fast speech the vowel vanishes entirely, leaving only the /ts/ cluster snapping straight into the next word.

that's

That's right, that's great, that's it: the /æ/ compresses sharply and in fast casual speech the word becomes a quick ts landing on whatever follows. The /ð/ at the start is doing the same work it always does — the deletion is the vowel in the middle, not the consonant frame. Compare that's right (careful) vs. tsright (casual) and you'll hear the vowel go from full /æ/ to nothing.

what's

What's in casual phrases like what's up or what's that behaves the same way: the /ʌ/ drops almost entirely in fast speech — what remains is a compressed vowel so short it's barely audible. The compression is happening to the vowel, not to the consonants.

Where you'll hear it

In real American conversation.

You'll hear this in every casual situation where an American hits a quick contraction — it's fine becomes tsfine, that's right becomes tsright, what's up becomes tsup. The same swallowed vowel shows up in mid-sentence that's, what's, and let's when the speaker isn't slowing down for emphasis. Pronounce the full vowel in every contraction and your speech sounds careful, closer to a job interview than a conversation.

The elision in real sentences

Five sentences where the vowel actually drops.

Each one carries an it's, that's, what's, or let's at conversational speed — tap to hear the vowel vanish before the next word.

It's a beautiful day for a hike.

ihts uh BYOO·tuh·fuhl DAY fer uh HAHYK.

Let's grab a bite to eat.

LEHTS GRAB uh BAHYT tuh EET.

That's a real lifesaver, thank you.

dhats uh REE·uhl LAHYF·say·ver THANGK yoo.

What's the latest news on the situation?

WUHTS dhuh LAY·duhst NOOZ ahn dhuh sih·choo·AY·shuhn?

Let's meet at the coffee shop on the corner.

LEHTS MEET uht dhuh KAH·fee SHAHP ahn dhuh KOR·ner.
FAQ

Common questions about dropping vowels in it's, that's, and let's.

Does the vowel in contractions like "it's" actually disappear, or just get shorter?
It depends on the contraction and the speed. In fast casual speech, the /ɪ/ in it's often vanishes entirely: you hear /tskoʊld/ for it's cold. The vowels in that's, what's, and let's usually compress dramatically rather than disappear cleanly, since their vowels (/æ/, /ʌ/, /ɛ/) carry more acoustic body than /ɪ/. Either way, the listener's brain reconstructs the full word from context. The vowel doesn't have to be fully there to be understood.
Is it wrong to pronounce the full vowel in "it's" or "let's"?
Not wrong, just deliberate. If you clearly articulate every vowel in it's fine, let's go, what's up, American listeners may register you as emphasizing each word, speaking carefully, or coming from a context where formality matters (a presentation, a courtroom, a job interview). Vowel reduction is the casual baseline. Hitting every vowel pulls you up into a more formal register, which is fine when that's the goal.
How do I practice these shortened contractions without overdoing it?
Start with it's at the front of a sentence: the easiest case. Say it's cold three ways: full (ihts cold), reduced (uts cold), fully shortened (ts cold). Get comfortable with the third version, then try the same gradient on that's right, what's up, let's go. Don't force the shortening in slow speech, because it only sounds natural at conversational tempo. Speed is doing half the work.

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