Have you ever noticed that Americans often don't pronounce the T in words like "button" or "kitten"? Instead, there's a brief pause, almost like the sound gets caught in the throat. That's the glottal stop, and it's one of the most distinctive features of casual American English.
What Is a Glottal Stop?
A glottal stop (IPA symbol: /ʔ/) is made by briefly closing your vocal cords to stop airflow, then releasing it. It's the sound you make between the syllables of "uh-oh" or when you say "uh" before speaking.
In American English, the glottal stop frequently replaces /t/ in specific positions, especially before syllabic /n/ (when N forms its own syllable).
When Does This Happen?
The glottal stop most commonly replaces T in these situations:
1. Before Syllabic N
When T comes before N at the end of a word, and the N carries its own syllable, the T often becomes a glottal stop:
2. Before Syllabic L
The same pattern occurs with syllabic L:
3. At Word Boundaries
Glottal stops also appear at the end of words before consonants or pauses:
Why Spanish Speakers Should Know This
If you always pronounce a clear /t/ in words like "button" or "kitten," you won't be misunderstood, but you might sound overly formal or foreign. Understanding the glottal stop helps you:
- Comprehend native speakers: When you know about glottal stops, you won't be confused when Americans seem to "swallow" their T's
- Sound more natural: Using glottal stops in casual speech makes you blend in more
- Choose your style: You can use clear T's for formal situations and glottal stops for casual ones
How to Make a Glottal Stop
- Start saying "button" normally: "buh..."
- Instead of moving your tongue to make T, close your throat briefly (like you're about to cough)
- Then go straight to the N sound without releasing the T from your tongue
- The N becomes "syllabic," meaning it forms its own syllable without a vowel
Practice: Say "uh-oh" a few times. Feel that catch in your throat between "uh" and "oh"? That's a glottal stop. Now use that same throat closure in "bu-[glottal stop]-n."
Words Where Glottal Stop Is Common
| Word | With Glottal Stop | Formal T |
|---|---|---|
| certain | /ˈsɝʔn̩/ | /ˈsɝtən/ |
| curtain | /ˈkɝʔn̩/ | /ˈkɝtən/ |
| fountain | /ˈfaʊʔn̩/ | /ˈfaʊntən/ |
| mountain | /ˈmaʊʔn̩/ | /ˈmaʊntən/ |
| important | /ɪmˈpɔrʔn̩t/ | /ɪmˈpɔrtənt/ |
| sentence | /ˈsenʔn̩s/ | /ˈsentəns/ |
| Manhattan | /mænˈhæʔn̩/ | /mænˈhætən/ |
When NOT to Use the Glottal Stop
The glottal stop isn't used everywhere. Avoid it in these situations:
- Before vowels between words: "get it" keeps a clear T or becomes a flap T (/ɾ/), not a glottal stop
- In very formal speech: Newscasters and public speakers often use clearer T's
- When T is followed by R: "enter" keeps its T, it doesn't become a glottal stop
Quick Practice
Say these sentences, using the glottal stop where appropriate:
- "The kitten knocked the button off the mitten."
- "I've written about cotton in Manhattan."
- "That's rotten; I'd forgotten about it."
- "Open the bottle, just a little."
- "The mountain fountain is certain to freeze."
Conclusion
The glottal stop is a natural part of American English that you'll hear constantly once you start listening for it. You don't have to use it yourself, but understanding it will help you comprehend native speakers better. If you want to sound more natural in casual American English, practice replacing T with a glottal stop before syllabic N and L.
Want to learn more about American English pronunciation features? Check out our guide on the flap T sound and dark L vs light L.