Connecting Words in Sentences

Lynda Stucky August 26, 2013 Reduce a Foreign Accent

When we connect words in sentences, the endings of each word in that sentence sometimes changes to create a fluid flow. They may become reduced (less pronounced), they may be moved to the next sound or another sound may be inserted into the sentence. Here is an example of the way ending sounds get moved to the next word.

Imagine two words side-by-side. The first word ends with a consonant and the second word begins with a vowel. In running conversation, the we move the ending consonant of the first word attach it to the second word that begins with a vowel. Here is an example:

Thanks a lot for the report. Since the ending of thanks ends in a consonant and the next work begins with a vowel, we attach the /s/ to the /a/ to sound like thank-sa-lot. (not Thanks a lot.)

Here is one more. See if you can hear the minor adjustment I’ll make in my speech.

They studied it.=They studi-dit.

This detail in speech may seem small and insignificant, but for nonnative speakers, it significantly benefits rhythm and ultimately the naturalness of English, if used.