Pronunciation insight 3

Word linking

When we speak quickly, we often link words together.

aWe link one word to the next if the first word ends with a consonant sound and the second begins with a vowel sound.

a bag of potatoes

bWhen one word ends with a vowel sound and the next word begins with a vowel, too, we sometimes add a /w/ or /j/ sound between them to make a smooth transition.

a few apples not many eggs

/w//j/

cIn British English, the letter 'r' after a vowel sound at the end of a word is often not pronounced. However, when the following word begins with a vowel, the /r/ sound is pronounced to make a smooth transition.

a jar of jam

/r/

1Play the recording and listen to phrases 1-6. Match them to rules a-c. Then listen again and repeat. 

• 1a carton of milk abc

• 2a few oranges abc

• 3not much ice cream abc

• 4four animals abc

• 5not many onions abc

• 6a lot of cheese abc

 

2Underline the linked words in the phrases below. Then play the recording, listen and repeat. Try to link the words that are underlined. 

3Underline the linked words. Each sentence contains more than one example of linking. 

• 1Put a little oil in a pan.

• 2Have we got any orange juice?

• 3Let's buy a packet of biscuits.

• 4Everybody is waiting for us.

• 5Dinner is at eight o'clock.

• 6There were a few angry customers.

• 7I went out for a meal on Friday evening.

• 8We bought a can of green olives.

• 9Shall we eat inside or outside?

• 10Can I have a glass of water, please?

4Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 3. Then listen again and repeat. Try to link the words that are marked.