If you've ever heard a native speaker say something that sounds like "cenner" instead of "center" or "innernet" instead of "internet", you're not crazy. In American English, the letter T often weakens so much it disappears in fast, casual speech. This is not the flap T (see our flap T guide). Here we focus on when T truly goes quiet or is dropped in everyday pronunciation.
Quick answer
- Both are acceptable: deletion in casual speech, clear T in careful speech.
- Casual AmE often drops T in NT clusters (center, winter, internet, twenty).
- Keep a clear T for formality and clarity, and at the start of stressed syllables.
- UK note: clearer Ts or glottal stops are more common than full deletion.
The quick idea
English likes speed in weak syllables. In certain consonant groups, especially N+T, the T often gets deleted in quick speech. You’ll also hear shortcuts in number words and in common phrases. In careful speech, speakers can bring the T back.
The patterns you will actually hear
- N + T + vowel/consonant → T often disappears in fast speech
- winter → [ˈwɪnɚ]
- center → [ˈsɛnɚ]
- printer → [ˈprɪnɚ]
- internet → [ˈɪnɚˌnɛt]
- NT in the middle before a weak syllable → T weakens or drops
- wanted → [ˈwɑnɪd] ~ [ˈwɑnɾɪd]
- planted → [ˈplænɪd]
- twenty → [ˈtwɛni]
- seventy → [ˈsɛvəni]
- Everyday reductions in common words/phrases
- plenty → [ˈplɛnɪ]
- advantage → [ədˈvænɪdʒ]
- isn’t it → [ˈɪzənɪt] → [ˈɪzənɪ]
Note: In many of these, the nasal N carries the syllable and the T is the “extra” that drops when speaking quickly.
When should I keep the T?
- Careful or slow speech (presentations, spelling emails, new names): pronounce the T clearly.
- At the start of a stressed syllable: aTtach, aTomic → keep [t].
- In clusters where T is part of another sound: picture → [ˈpɪkʧɚ] (T+Y → [t͡ʃ]).
Spanish‑speaker tips
- Don’t force a strong /t/ in every NT. If native speech sounds like “cen-er”, that’s fine in casual contexts.
- Keep the vowel quality steady. In center/winter, the key is the stressed vowel; the missing T won’t hurt understanding.
- If in doubt, pronounce the T. It’s never wrong, just a bit more careful.
Quick practice
Say these naturally. First careful (with T), then casual (without T):
- winTer → winter
- cenTer → center
- planTed → planted
- twenTy → twenty
- inTerneT → internet
Regional notes
- British English varies: some accents use glottal stops [ʔ] (win[ʔ]er). American English favors deletion in NT clusters.
- Not all speakers delete T. You’ll hear both versions depending on speed, emphasis, and region.
Mastering silent T is about comfort with rhythm. In quick speech, NT clusters often shrink. In careful speech, restore the T. If you want the related topic where T sounds like a quick tap (not silent), see our article on the flap T.