If you’ve ever felt like your English sounds just a little too formal, robotic, or textbook-ish, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many learners reach a point where they know the grammar and vocab, but still don’t sound natural when they speak.

So if you’re ready to level up, here’s exactly how to sound more natural in English: 7 easy fixes you can practice today – no teacher required.

Let’s get into it.

1. Use Contractions in Everyday Speech

Native speakers rarely say, “I am going to the store.”
They say, “I’m going to the store.”

Try these:

• “I’m” instead of “I am”
  
• “We’re” instead of “We are”
  
• “They’ll” instead of “They will”
  

Why it works: Contractions make your speech smoother and more natural. Practice saying full sentences with contractions until it feels automatic.

2. Relax Your Intonation

Speaking with flat or overly even tone can sound robotic. Native English speakers often stress certain words, rise and fall in tone, and pause naturally.

Practice by reading a short sentence and exaggerating your intonation:
“Really? I didn’t know that!”

Why it works: Playing with tone makes you sound more expressive and native-like — not monotone.

3. Ditch Overly Formal Phrases

You may have learned phrases like “I do not understand” — which is technically correct but not how most people talk.

Try instead:

• “I don’t get it.”
  
• “I’m not sure what you mean.”
  
• “Can you say that again?”
  

Why it works: These are real, casual phrases used in daily conversation — they make you sound more relatable and fluent.

4. Add Filler Words (But Use Them Right)

While too many filler words can be annoying, some are totally normal and help your speech flow.

Common fillers:

• “Well…”
  
• “You know…”
  
• “I mean…”
  
• “Like…”
  

Why it works: They give you time to think and help your English sound more relaxed and conversational — just don’t overdo it.

5. Practice Thinking in English

If you’re always translating in your head from your native language, it slows you down and makes your English feel unnatural.

Fix it by:

• Describing your surroundings in English
  
• Narrating your day (“I’m brushing my teeth… now I’m making coffee…”)
  
• Journaling in English daily
  

Why it works: It builds fluency and helps you respond faster without awkward pauses.

6. Repeat After Native Speakers (Shadowing)

Shadowing = listening to a native speaker and repeating right after, mimicking their speed, tone, and pronunciation.

Try it with:

• YouTube videos
  
• Podcasts
  
• TV shows
  
• The ELSA Speak app’s roleplay feature
  

Why it works: It’s one of the fastest ways to sound more natural and improve your rhythm and pronunciation at the same time.

7. Use an App That Actually Listens and Corrects You

Not all apps are created equal. If you want to truly sound natural, you need feedback — not just from your eyes, but from your ears and mouth.

The best way to do that? Use ELSA Speak.

With ELSA, you can:

• Practice real-life conversations
  
• Get instant feedback on pronunciation
  
• See exactly which sounds you’re missing
  
• Train with AI tools designed to mimic native fluency
  

Final Thoughts

Learning English is more than just vocabulary and grammar – it’s about sounding confident, clear, and you. These tips on how to sound more natural in English: 7 easy fixes you can practice today are a great place to start, and with just a little effort each day, you’ll hear the difference.

👉 Download ELSA Speak today and start practicing with smart feedback, fun lessons, and real-life conversation tools that help you sound like a native – not just know like one.

Explore More about ELSA:

• Check out Speak English Confidently with ELSA Speak – Most Effective AI Communication App
• Discover why ELSA is rated the most effective English Speaking App!