What is Connected Speech?

English speakers often join words together. They do not pause between every single word.

• This way of speaking is called connected speech.
• It makes English sound fast and natural.
• Learning connected speech helps you understand native speakers better.

How to Link Sounds: Consonant + Vowel

This is a very common rule in connected speech. It is easy to learn!

• Look at two words together.
• The first word ends with a consonant sound (like /t/, /n/, /m/).
• The next word starts with a vowel sound (like /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/).

When this happens, we link the two sounds. They join together. There is no pause between them.

• Example: an apple sounds like a-napple.
• Example: get up sounds like ge-tup.

Why is Connected Speech Important?

Learning about connected speech has many benefits for your English.

• Understand better: When native speakers talk, they use connected speech. If you know this rule, you will understand them more easily.
• Speak naturally: Your English will sound more like a native speaker. It will be smoother.
• Improve fluency: You will speak faster and more confidently.

Examples

• I live in a house. (The ‘n’ in ‘in’ links to ‘a’)
• It’s an orange. (The ‘n’ in ‘an’ links to ‘orange’)
• Can I ask a question? (The ‘n’ in ‘can’ links to ‘I’; the ‘k’ in ‘ask’ links to ‘a’)
• What is it? (The ‘t’ in ‘what’ links to ‘is’; the ‘s’ in ‘is’ links to ‘it’)
• Turn it off. (The ‘n’ in ‘turn’ links to ‘it’; the ‘t’ in ‘it’ links to ‘off’)
• Pick it up. (The ‘k’ in ‘pick’ links to ‘it’; the ‘t’ in ‘it’ links to ‘up’)

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Common Mistakes for Spanish Speakers

Many Spanish speakers make these mistakes when learning connected speech:

• Pausing too much: You might pause between every word. This makes English sound choppy, not smooth.
  • Wrong: I… am… a… student. (with pauses)
  • Right: I am a student. (The ‘m’ in ‘am’ links to ‘a’)
• Not linking sounds: Forgetting to join consonant and vowel sounds.
  • Wrong: He is… old. (with a pause)
  • Right: He is old. (The ‘s’ in ‘is’ links to ‘old’)

Frequently asked questions

What is the main rule for connected speech at A1 level?

The main rule for A1 is to link a word ending in a consonant sound to a word starting with a vowel sound. This makes your speech flow better.

Why should I learn connected speech?

Learning connected speech helps you understand native speakers better. It also makes your own English sound more natural and fluent, like a native speaker.

Is it difficult to learn connected speech?

No, it is not difficult. Start with simple consonant + vowel linking. Listen carefully to English speakers and try to repeat what you hear. Practice makes it easier!