In Part 1 of Final Consonant Clusters, we covered -ST, -ND, -NT, -LT, -LP, -LK, -SK, and -FT endings. Now let's tackle more challenging final clusters that Spanish speakers often struggle with.
This guide covers -NG, -MP, -LD, -RD, -PT, -XT, and other important word endings.
The -NG Ending
The -NG ending /ŋ/ is a single sound called the "velar nasal." It's NOT "n" + "g" spoken separately. The back of your tongue touches the soft palate while air flows through your nose.
Common Mistake
Spanish speakers often pronounce -NG as a clear "n" + "g" sound, or just as "n":
× "sin-ging" or "sinin" instead of "singing"
× "brin-ging" instead of "bringing"
Common -NG Words
More -NG Words
bang, belong, gang, hang, king, lung, song, spring, sting, strong, swing, wing, wrong
-NG + S (Plural Forms)
When adding -S to -NG words, the cluster becomes /ŋz/:
The -MP Ending
The -MP cluster combines the bilabial nasal /m/ with the bilabial stop /p/. Both sounds are made with the lips, making this transition relatively smooth.
Common -MP Words
More -MP Words
champ, chimp, chomp, clamp, clump, cramp, damp, dump, grump, hemp, hump, limp, lump, plump, romp, rump, shrimp, slump, stomp, stump, swamp, temp, thump, tramp, trump
Past Tense: -MPED (/mpt/)
When adding -ED to -MP verbs, you create a three-consonant cluster:
The -LD Ending
The -LD cluster combines /l/ with /d/. The tongue stays on the alveolar ridge as you move from L to D.
Common -LD Words
More -LD Words
bald, bold, build, field, fold, gold, held, mold, sold, shield, wild, yield
-LD with Past Tense Verbs
Many common -LD words are irregular past tenses:
- tell → told
- hold → held
- build → built (note: this becomes -LT)
The -RD Ending
The -RD cluster combines the American /r/ with /d/. Keep your tongue in the R position, then touch the alveolar ridge for D.
Common -RD Words
More -RD Words
board, guard, reward, record, forward, toward, backward, standard, regard, weird, beard
-RD + S (Plural and Verb Forms)
The -PT Ending
The -PT cluster combines /p/ with /t/. Both are voiceless stops, making a quick, sharp ending.
Common -PT Words
More -PT Words
adopt, apt, attempt, corrupt, disrupt, erupt, excerpt, interrupt, prompt,rupt, script, sculpt, wept
The -XT Ending
The -XT cluster /kst/ combines /k/, /s/, and /t/. This is actually a three-consonant final cluster.
Common -XT Words
More -XT Words
boxed, faxed, fixed, flexed, hexed, indexed, perplexed, relaxed, sexed, taxed, vexed, waxed
The -RN Ending
The -RN cluster combines /r/ with /n/. Both sounds are made at the alveolar ridge.
Common -RN Words
More -RN Words
burn, concern, corn, earn, horn, modern, pattern, southern, stern, worn
The -RM Ending
The -RM cluster combines /r/ with /m/.
Common -RM Words
More -RM Words
alarm, charm, confirm, dorm, farm, firm, harm, inform, norm, perform, reform, term, uniform
Pronunciation Tips for All Final Clusters
Tip 1: Don't Drop the Final Sound
Spanish speakers often drop the final consonant in clusters:
× "col" instead of "cold"
× "wor" instead of "word"
× "jum" instead of "jump"
Tip 2: Don't Add a Vowel After
× "colda" instead of "cold"
× "jumpa" instead of "jump"
Tip 3: Hold the Final Sound Briefly
Give the final consonant enough time to be heard, even if it's just a quick moment.
Tip 4: Practice with Linking
In natural speech, final consonants often link to the next word:
- "hold it" → sounds like "hold-dit"
- "jump up" → sounds like "jum-pup"
Practice Sentences
- -NG: I bring my things when I sing.
- -MP: The lamp fell with a bump and a thump.
- -LD: The old man told stories of the world.
- -RD: I heard every word she said.
- -PT: She kept quiet and slept well.
- -XT: Read the next text in context.
Key Takeaways
- -NG is a single sound /ŋ/, not "n" + "g"
- -MP transitions smoothly since both sounds use the lips
- -LD and -RD require maintaining position while adding a voiced stop
- -PT creates a sharp, quick ending with two voiceless stops
- -XT is actually a three-consonant cluster /kst/
- Don't drop final consonants or add vowels after them
- Practice linking final sounds to following words
Combine this guide with Part 1 for complete coverage of final consonant clusters. Practice consistently and your English will sound much clearer!