You know that English words change in phrases. But can you predict these changes? Yes! Once you know what to look for, you can anticipate how any word will sound based on what comes next.
This guide gives you simple questions to ask yourself. Think of it as a decision tree for pronunciation.
The Big Question
Before you say a word, ask: "What sound comes next?"
The answer tells you what will happen. Let's break it down by situation.
Situation 1: Your Word Ends in a Consonant
Ask: Does the next word start with a vowel?
If YES: Connect them! The consonant "jumps" to the next word.
| You Want to Say | Next Word Starts With | Result |
|---|---|---|
| turn | it (vowel) | tur-NIT |
| pick | up (vowel) | pi-KUP |
| an | apple (vowel) | a-NAPPLE |
| come | over (vowel) | cu-MOVER |
Ask: Does the next word start with the same consonant?
If YES: Blend them into one longer sound.
| You Want to Say | Next Word Starts With | Result |
|---|---|---|
| black | cat (same K sound) | bla-KKAT (one long K) |
| bus | stop (same S sound) | bu-SSTOP (one long S) |
| some | more (same M sound) | su-MMORE (one long M) |
Situation 2: Your Word Ends in a Vowel
Ask: Does the next word start with a vowel too?
If YES: Add a small connecting sound between them.
| Your Word Ends With | Add This Sound | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| /oʊ/, /uː/, /aʊ/ (round lips) | /w/ | go out → go-WOUT, do it → doo-WIT |
| /iː/, /eɪ/, /aɪ/ (spread lips) | /j/ (Y sound) | see it → see-YIT, I am → I-YAM |
Situation 3: Your Word Ends in T or D
T and D are special. They change a lot!
Ask: Is the next word "you" or starts with Y?
If YES: T becomes CH, D becomes J.
| Ending | + You/Y | Becomes | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | + you | CH | got you → GOTCHA |
| T | + your | CH | what your → WHATCHER |
| D | + you | J | did you → DIDJA |
| D | + your | J | need your → NEEJA |
Ask: Is T or D between two consonants?
If YES: It often disappears.
| Phrase | T/D Position | Result |
|---|---|---|
| next week | T between X and W | NEX-WEEK |
| last night | T between S and N | LAS-NIGHT |
| old man | D between L and M | OL-MAN |
| hand bag | D between N and B | HAN-BAG |
Situation 4: Your Word Ends in S or Z
Ask: Is the next word "you" or starts with Y?
If YES: S becomes SH, Z becomes ZH.
| Ending | + You/Y | Becomes | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | + you | SH | miss you → MI-shoo |
| S | + your | SH | bless your → BLE-sher |
| Z | + you | ZH | as you → A-zhoo |
Situation 5: Your Word Ends in N
Ask: What consonant comes next?
N changes to match the next sound (just like in Spanish!).
| Next Sound | N Becomes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| P, B, M (lips) | M | in Paris → IM Paris |
| K, G (back of mouth) | NG | in Canada → ING Canada |
| F, V (teeth on lip) | special M | in fact → IM fact |
Situation 6: Function Words (to, for, of, and, can)
Ask: Is this word stressed or unstressed?
If UNSTRESSED (normal): Use the short form.
| Word | Full Form | Reduced Form | When Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | /tuː/ | /tə/ or nothing | gonna, wanna, hafta |
| of | /ɑv/ | /ə/ | kinda, lotta, outta |
| for | /fɔːr/ | /fɚ/ | "for a" → "fra" |
| and | /ænd/ | /ən/ or /n/ | "bread and" → "bread'n" |
| can | /kæn/ | /kən/ | "I can go" → "I k'n go" |
Quick Decision Flowchart
Use this mental checklist before speaking:
- Does my word end in a consonant + next starts with vowel?
→ Connect them (tur-NIT) - Does my word end in T/D + next is "you"?
→ T→CH, D→J (gotcha, didja) - Does my word end in T/D + next is a consonant?
→ T/D might disappear (nexweek) - Does my word end in S/Z + next is "you"?
→ S→SH, Z→ZH (mishu) - Does my word end in N + next is P/B/M/K/G?
→ N changes (im Paris, ing Canada) - Is my word "to," "of," "for," "and," "can"?
→ Reduce it (gonna, kinda)
Practice: Predict Before You Speak
Try these phrases. Before saying them, predict what will change:
Exercise 1
Phrase: "I want to get it for you"
Think:
- "want to" → wanna (reduction)
- "get it" → ge-TIT (linking)
- "for you" → fer you (reduction)
Result: "I wanna ge-tit fer you"
Exercise 2
Phrase: "Did you check it out last night?"
Think:
- "Did you" → didja (D+Y = J)
- "check it out" → che-ki-tout (linking)
- "last night" → las night (T deletion)
Result: "Didja che-ki-tout las night?"
Exercise 3
Phrase: "I should have told you about it."
Think:
- "should have" → shoulda (reduction)
- "told you" → toldja (D+Y = J)
- "about it" → abou-tit (linking)
Result: "I shoulda toldja abou-tit."
Key Takeaways
- Always look at what comes next before speaking
- Consonant + vowel = connect them
- T/D/S/Z + "you" = new sounds (ch, j, sh, zh)
- N changes to match following consonants
- Function words almost always reduce
- T/D between consonants often disappear
Keep Practicing
- The 5 Rules of Connected Speech for the complete framework
- 50 Practice Phrases to train your ear and mouth