- Why Connected Speech Matters
Native speakers don’t pronounce every word separately. They link sounds naturally, which often makes English sound different from how it’s written.
- Key Linking Techniques
- Consonant + Vowel Linking
When a word ends with a consonant and the next begins with a vowel, they connect:
- “Turn off” → “Tur-noff”
- “Not at all” → “No-ta-tall”
- Same Consonant Linking
When words end and start with the same sound, say it once:
- “Big girl” → “Bi-girl”
- “Social life” → “Socia-life”
- Intrusive Sounds
We sometimes add small sounds between words:
- “I am” → “I-yam” (adds a ‘y’)
- “Go out” → “Go-wout” (adds a ‘w’)
- Common Reductions
|
Full Form |
Spoken Form |
Example |
|
Going to |
Gonna |
“I’m gonna go” |
|
Want to |
Wanna |
“I wanna eat” |
|
Got to |
Gotta |
“I gotta run” |
|
Don’t know |
Dunno |
“I dunno” |
- Dropping Sounds
- “T” and “D” Between Consonants
Often disappear in fast speech:
- “Internet connection” → “Inerne’ connecion”
- “Old man” → “Ol’ man”
- “H” Dropping
In pronouns and helper words:
- “Tell him” → “Tell-im”
- “Give her” → “Give-er”
- Practice Exercises
- Link these phrases naturally:
- “Keep it up” →
- “I’ll eat it all” →
- Identify the reductions:
- “I’m going to the store” →
- “What do you want to do?” →