Key points
- Native speakers do not pause between words. They join them, so pick it up sounds like pi-ki-tup.
- A consonant at the end of a word moves onto a vowel at the start of the next: an apple /ə ˈnæpl/.
- Between two vowels, English adds a small /w/, /j/ or (in British English) /r/: go out /ɡəʊ waʊt/, I am /aɪ jæm/, far away /fɑːr əˈweɪ/.
- Sounds can disappear (next day /neks deɪ/) or change (did you /ˈdɪdʒu/), and small words take weak forms (to /tə/, and /ən/).
On this page
- What is connected speech?
- 1. Consonant to vowel linking
- 2. Same consonant at the end and start
- 3. Vowel to vowel: the /w/ and /j/ links
- 4. Linking R and intrusive R
- 5. Elision: sounds that disappear
- 6. Assimilation: sounds that change
- 7. Weak forms of common words
- Connected speech in American English
- How to practise connected speech
- FAQ
What is connected speech?
In natural English, words are not said one by one. They flow together into groups, and the sounds at the edges of the words change so the mouth can move smoothly. This is called connected speech.
You do not have to speak like this to be understood, but you must recognise it to understand native speakers. Many learners know every word in a sentence and still cannot catch it, because the sentence does not sound like its words said separately.
Examples
What do you want to do? → /ˈwɒdʒə ˈwɒntə ˈduː/
1. Consonant to vowel linking
When a word ends in a consonant and the next begins with a vowel, join them
The consonant sounds as if it starts the next word.
| Written | Sounds like | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| pick it up | pi-ki-tup | /pɪ kɪ tʌp/ |
| an apple | a-napple | /ə ˈnæpl/ |
| turn off | tur-noff | /tɜː nɒf/ |
| look at it | loo-ka-tit | /lʊ kə tɪt/ |
| an hour | a-nour | /ə ˈnaʊə/ |
Linking follows sounds, not letters. In an hour the H is silent, so the word starts with a vowel sound and the N links to it.
2. Same consonant at the end and start
When one word ends with the same consonant that starts the next, say it once, held a little longer. Do not say it twice.
Examples
black coffee, bus stop, big girl, social life, good day
3. Vowel to vowel: the /w/ and /j/ links
When one word ends in a vowel sound and the next starts with one, English slips in a light glide.
After /uː/, /əʊ/, /aʊ/ (lips rounded): add /w/
Examples
go out /ɡəʊ waʊt/, do it /duː wɪt/, how about /haʊ wəˈbaʊt/, too often /tuː ˈwɒfn/
After /iː/, /eɪ/, /aɪ/, /ɔɪ/ (lips spread): add /j/
Examples
I am /aɪ jæm/, see it /siː jɪt/, the end /ðiː jend/, say again /seɪ jəˈɡen/
4. Linking R and intrusive R
In British English, an R at the end of a word is silent, until the next word starts with a vowel. Then the R comes back to link the words.
Linking R
far away /fɑːr əˈweɪ/, where is it /weər ɪz ɪt/, for example /fər ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/
Many British speakers also add an R where there is no R in the spelling, after /ə/, /ɑː/ or /ɔː/. This is called intrusive R.
Intrusive R
law and order /lɔːr ən ˈɔːdə/, the idea of it /ði aɪˈdɪər əv ɪt/
American English pronounces every written R, so linking R happens naturally and intrusive R is rare.
5. Elision: sounds that disappear
In fast speech, a /t/ or /d/ between two consonants is often dropped. Some words lost a sound long ago and are always said without it.
| Written | Usually said | What is lost |
|---|---|---|
| next day | /neks deɪ/ | /t/ |
| must be | /mʌs bi/ | /t/ |
| last night | /lɑːs naɪt/ | /t/ |
| handbag | /ˈhænbæɡ/ | /d/ |
| cup of tea | /kʌp ə ˈtiː/ | /v/ of of |
| fish and chips | /fɪʃ ən ˈtʃɪps/ | /d/ of and |
6. Assimilation: sounds that change
A sound can change to become more like the sound next to it.
/t/, /d/, /n/ change before /p/, /b/, /m/, /k/, /ɡ/
Examples
ten boys /tem bɔɪz/, good boy /ɡʊb bɔɪ/, that man /ðæp mæn/, in case /ɪŋ keɪs/
Two sounds merge into a new one before you
| Sounds | Becomes | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| /t/ + /j/ | /tʃ/ | don't you /ˈdəʊntʃu/, last year |
| /d/ + /j/ | /dʒ/ | did you /ˈdɪdʒu/, would you |
| /s/ + /j/ | /ʃ/ | this year /ðɪʃ jɪə/, bless you |
| /z/ + /j/ | /ʒ/ | as you know /əʒu ˈnəʊ/ |
7. Weak forms of common words
Small grammar words are usually unstressed, so their vowel shrinks to the schwa /ə/. Use the strong form only when the word is stressed or at the end of a sentence ("Where are you from?").
| Word | Strong form | Weak form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | /eɪ/ | /ə/ | a cup |
| and | /ænd/ | /ən/ | you and me |
| to | /tuː/ | /tə/ | go to bed |
| for | /fɔː/ | /fə/ | for you |
| of | /ɒv/ | /əv/ | a lot of time |
| can | /kæn/ | /kən/ | I can swim |
| was | /wɒz/ | /wəz/ | it was fun |
| from | /frɒm/ | /frəm/ | a gift from Tom |
| them | /ðem/ | /ðəm/ | call them |
Can and can't: in "I can swim" the weak /kən/ is barely heard and swim is stressed. In "I can't swim" both words are stressed and the vowel is full: /kɑːnt/ (UK) or /kænt/ (US).
Connected speech in American English
Two features you will hear in almost every American film or series:
- Flap T: a T between vowels sounds like a quick, soft D. water, better, get it /ɡeɾ ɪt/, a lot of /ə ˈlɑːɾ əv/.
- Informal reductions: going to → gonna, want to → wanna, got to → gotta. Use them in speech, not in writing.
How to practise connected speech
- Take a short sentence from a video or audiobook and mark where the words link with a ‿ symbol.
- Play it, pause, and repeat it straight away at the same speed (this is called shadowing).
- Record yourself and compare. Listen for the links, not only the individual words.
- Start slowly with correct links, then speed up. Linking is what makes speech fluent, not speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is linking in English pronunciation?
Linking is joining the end of one word to the start of the next with no pause. The main types are consonant to vowel (an apple), vowel to vowel with an added /w/, /j/ or /r/ sound (go out, I am, far away), and the same consonant said once (bus stop).
Why can't I understand native speakers when I know all the words?
Because connected speech changes how words sound together: sounds link, disappear (elision) or change (assimilation), and small words become weak forms. Practising with real speech and learning these patterns helps your ear recognise them.
Do I need to use connected speech to be understood?
No. Clear, correctly stressed speech is understood without it. But linking makes your English sound more natural and fluent, and recognising connected speech is essential for listening.
What is the difference between elision and assimilation?
In elision a sound disappears, as the /t/ in next day. In assimilation a sound changes to be more like its neighbour, as /n/ becoming /m/ in ten boys or /d/ + /j/ becoming /dʒ/ in did you.