When you listen to spoken English, it very often sounds smooth, rather than staccato. One of the ways we achieve this is to link sounds between words.

Using a /r/ sound

For example, we use a /r/ sound between two vowel sounds (when one word ends with a vowel sound of ‘uh’ (as in the final sound of banana); ‘er’ (as in the final sound of murder); and ‘or’ (as in the final sound of or). The /r/ sound happens when the next word starts with a vowel.

A matter of opinion = “A matte – rof opinion”

Murder is a crime = “Murde – ris a crime”

For example = “Fo – rexample”.

Using a /w/ sound

We use a /w/ sound when the first word ends in a ‘oo’ sound (as in you); or an ‘oh’ sound (as in no) or an ‘ow’ sound (as in now)

Who are your best friends? = “Who – ware – your …..”

No you don’t = “No – wyou don’t”

Now I know = “No – wI – know”

Using a /j/ sound

If you say the words “I” and “am” quickly, the sound between is a /ya/ sound. You can probably feel the sound at the back of your mouth, as the bottom of your mouth comes up to meet the top. The /j/ sound can link words which end with an /ai/ sound (I) or an /ey/ sound (may).

I am English = I – yam English

May I go? = May – jI go?

Consonant and vowel

When one word ends with a consonant (and the next begins with a vowel sound) use the final consonant to link.

An + apple sounds like a – napple.

Don’t add an extra vowel after that consonant. So it’s a – napple, rather than a – n – a apple.

Here are some more examples of consonants linking to vowels:

At all = “A – tall”

Speak up = “Spea – kup”

Right away = “Righ – taway”

Leave it = “Lea – vit”

School again = “Schoo – lagain”