🎤 1. Connected Speech & Linking

When speaking fluently, words often link together. For example:

  • "I am" → I'm (pronounced /aɪm/)
  • "going to" → gonna (pronounced /ɡənə/)

📌 Tip: Practice linking consonants and vowels to sound natural.

Pronunciation_Linked

📖 2. Weak Forms & Reduction

Many function words (e.g., to, and, but) are pronounced shorter or softer in casual speech.

  • to → /tə/
  • and → /ənd/

🔗 Learn more about weak forms

Pronunciation_Reduced

🗣️ 3. Stress & Intonation

Stress (emphasis on syllables) and intonation (pitch variation) are critical for clarity.

  • Example: important (/ɪmˈpɔːrtənt/) vs. import (/ˈɪm.pɔːrt/)
  • Rising intonation for questions: Are you coming?
Pronunciation_Stress

🧠 4. Practice Tips

  • Record yourself and compare with native speakers.
  • Use shadowing to mimic rhythm and tone.
  • Focus on difficult sounds (e.g., /θ/ vs. /ð/).

🔗 Try our pronunciation exercises

Pronunciation_Practice

🌍 5. Cultural Nuances

Pronunciation can vary by dialect or region. For instance:

  • British vs. American English vowel shifts.
  • Regional accents in the UK (e.g., Scottish, Northern Irish).
Pronunciation_Dialects