British

English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Practice Passages
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

He always double-checks before making a

purchase to ensure he gets the right item.
Although he hasn't been shopping much lately,
he's still a bit interested in finding the perfect
gadget for his collection.
He’d love to go into town and browse the shops
sometime.
If he does, he'll be sure to meet you for a cup of
coffee.
2
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

He always double-checks before making a

purchase to ensure he gets the right item.
Although he hasn't been shopping much lately,
he's still a bit interested in finding the perfect
gadget for his collection.
He’d love to go into town and browse the shops
sometime.
If he does, he'll be sure to meet you for a cup of
coffee.
3
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

The interesting thing about a live version is that it

can feed young fans' hunger for more music.
If you're a musician, you wouldn't wanna
disappoint your fans, so you'll wanna put on a
good show.
Or if you're a fan, you wouldn't wanna miss out on
a live performance by your favorite artist.
Wouldn't it be great to be there? I'm gonna make
sure to catch the next live show, and I need your
4 company!
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

The interesting thing about a live version is that it

can feed young fans' hunger for more music.
If you're a musician, you wouldn't wanna
disappoint your fans, so you'll wanna put on a
good show.
Or if you're a fan, you wouldn't wanna miss out on
a live performance by your favorite artist.
Wouldn't it be great to be there? I'm gonna make
sure to catch the next live show, and I need your
5 company!
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

Sarah Eagleton was just walking down the street

when a guy on a bicycle rode past her.
She noticed that he had green nails, which was kinda
weird.
She wondered if it was some kinda fashion statement
or if he just wanted to do it for fun.
Either way, it was a bold move, and it made her think
about doing something similarly daring herself.
Maybe, she thought, I've gotta try it and see how it
feels.
6
 Pronunciation | Practice

Practice

Read the following passage – try to find all the

different types of connected speech.

Sarah Eagleton was just walking down the street

when a guy on a bicycle rode past her.
She noticed that he had green nails, which was kinda
weird.
She wondered if it was some kinda fashion statement
or if he just wanted to do it for fun.
Either way, it was a bold move, and it made her think
about doing something similarly daring herself.
Maybe, she thought, I've gotta try it and see how it
feels.
7
British
English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Contractions
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Connected Speech

This section of the course is all about connected

speech – but what is that?
In English, we don’t talk like this:

Word Word Word Word Word

Instead, we connect those words together fluently

In this section of the course, we will see many different ways to connect our speech
This will improve a) pronunciation and b) fluency
It will make us sound more natural when we speak
The first method is: Contractions
2
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions

One of the most useful and quickest ways to

connect speech is ‘contractions’
That’s when we put 2 words together
E.g. I am => I’m
It’s very rare for a native speaker to say, ‘I am’
Practicing contractions makes us more fluent and
have better pronunciation

Class Plan

1. Meet the common contractions

2. Practice sentences
3 3. Read a passage together
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #1

- I am => I’m
I'm going to the store.

- You are => You’re

You're the best player on the team.

- He is => He’s
He's feeling better after his cold.

- She is => She’s

She's always happy to help others.

- It is => It’s
It's a beautiful day today.
4
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #2

- We are => We're

We're planning a trip to Europe.

- They are => They're

They're expecting a lot of guests this weekend.

- That is => That's

That's a great idea.

- There is => There's

There's a new restaurant in town.

- Here is => Here's

5
Here's your coffee, sir.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #3

- I will => I'll

I'll be back in a few minutes.

- You will => You'll

You'll love this movie, I promise.

- He will => He'll

He'll be graduating this year.

- She will => She'll

She'll be joining us for dinner.

- We will => We'll

6
We'll be there in ten minutes.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #4

- They will => They'll

They'll be starting their new jobs soon.

- Let us => Let's

Let's go for a walk.

- Is not => Isn't

Isn't it a beautiful day today?

- Cannot => Can't

I can't wait for the weekend.

- Will not => Won't

7
My apologies, I won't be able to make it to the
meeting.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #5

- Do not => Don't

Don't forget to turn off the lights.

- Could not => Couldn't

Our company couldn't have done it without your
help.

- Should not => Shouldn't

I shouldn't have said that.

- I would => I'd

I'd love to visit Egypt one day.

8
- You would => You'd
You'd love Paris, it's beautiful.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #6

- She would => She'd

She'd be horrified if she found out the truth.

- Would not => Wouldn't

That wouldn't have been possible a few years ago.

- Would not have => Wouldn't've

I definitely wouldn't've thought of it myself.

- Have not => Haven't

You know what, I haven't seen that movie in ages.

- Had not => Hadn't

9
We hadn't thought of that before.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #7

- Did not => Didn't

She didn't know it was so late.

- Has not => Hasn't

He really hasn't changed much since I last saw him.

- Give me => Gimme

Can you gimme a hand with this, please.

- Going to => Gonna

I think it's gonna be a long night.

- Kind of => Kinda

10
He's kinda tired, but still going strong.
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Contractions – Set #8

- Let me => Lemme

Please do lemme know if you need anything.

- Who is => Who's

Who's joining us for dinner tonight?

- What is => What's

What's the plan for tomorrow?

- Want to => Wanna

Do you wanna come to the park with me?

- Got to=> Gotta

11
You've gotta be more careful
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Reading Challenge – Passage #1

I haven't been to the movies in a while, so I'm

excited to see a new film tonight.
I'm meeting my friends at the theater, and we'll
grab some popcorn before the movie starts.
They're running a bit late, but they'll be here
soon.
We'll probably watch a thriller, and I'll be sure to bring a sweater because it's
always chilly in there. Can't wait to see what's in store!
Let's hope the movie isn't too scary because I'm not a fan of horror films. We'll
have a great time together, and I'll be sure to thank them for coming.

12
 Pronunciation | Contractions

Reading Challenge – Passage #2

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price

of the concert tickets. They were so expensive
that I wasn’t able to afford them.
I asked my friend if she'd lend me some money,
but she said she wouldn't be able to help me
out.
'Gimme a break!', I thought to myself, but I guess I'm gonna have to wait until
the next time the band's in town.
I haven't been to a concert in ages, and I was really looking forward to this one.
It's a bummer, but I know I shouldn't spend money I don't have.

13
British
English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Catenation
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Catenation

Read this sentence – which words are connected?

- “He wants this apple”

Answer = ‘this + apple’

We really say, ‘thi sapple’
This is called ‘catenation’

Class Plan

1. Learn about catenation

2. Practice sentences together
2 3. Read a passage together
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Catenation

Catenation = when we connect the final consonant

in the first word to the vowel that starts the next
word.
It sounds like the 2nd word starts with the
consonant at the end of the 1st word.

E.g. This apple => Thi sapple

Doing this makes our speech flow smoothly.

Let’s practice with some sentences.

3
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Catenation Sentences

- “I saw a red apple hanging from the tree.”

(Reh Dapple)

- “She picked a fresh orange from the basket.”

(Freh Shorange)

- “The black ant was crawling on the ground.”

(Bla Kant)

- “I had a bright idea for my project.”

(Bri Tidea)

- “The hot air balloon rose higher into the sky.”

4 (Hoh Tair)
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Catenation Sentences – Your Turn

It’s important to notice catenation by yourself.

Read the following sentences and find the
catenation

• She walked down the wrong aisle of the

supermarket.
• She took a bite of the crisp green apple.
• She rubbed her tired eyes and felt refreshed.
• He sliced the sweet onion and added it to the
salad.
• The elephant trumpeted and swung its trunk.
5
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Catenation Sentences – Your Turn

Read the following sentences and find the

catenation

• She walked down the wrong aisle of the

supermarket. (Ron Gile)
• She took a bite of the crisp green apple. (Tuh
Keh; Buy Tov; Gree Napple)
• She rubbed her tired eyes and felt refreshed.
(Tire Deyes)
• He sliced the sweet onion and added it to the
salad. (Swee Tonion; Adih Dit)
6
• The elephant trumpeted and swung its trunk.
(Swun Gits)
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I was in the grocery store looking for some fresh

oranges to add to my cart, but I ended up down
the wrong aisle.
Suddenly, I spotted a red apple that caught my
eye. I took a bite of the juicy fruit and it was the
perfect combination of sweet and tart.
I decided to add some to my basket as well. As I continued to shop, I stumbled
upon a sweet onion and added that to my cart too.
I couldn't wait to get home and combine all these ingredients for a delicious
and healthy meal.

7
 Pronunciation | Catenation

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I was in the grocery store looking for some fresh

oranges to add to my cart, but I ended up down
the wrong aisle.
Suddenly, I spotted a red apple that caught my
eye. I took a bite of the juicy fruit and it was the
perfect combination of sweet and tart.
I decided to add some to my basket as well. As I continued to shop, I stumbled
upon a sweet onion and added that to my cart too.
I couldn't wait to get home and combine all these ingredients for a delicious
and healthy meal.

8
British
English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Intrusion
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusion

Read this sentence – which words are connected?

- “I don’t want him to do it”

Answer = ‘do + it’

We really say, ‘do wit’
This is called ‘intrusion’

Class Plan

1. Learn about intrusion

2. Practice sentences together
2 3. Read a passage together
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusion

Intrusion = When a sound appears in a sentence

without being written
We have 3 types:

- Intrusive /w/
E.g. Do it => Do wit

- Intrusive /j/ (the ‘y’ in ‘you’)

E.g. I ate => I yate

- Intrusive /r/
E.g. I saw a dog => I saw ra dog
3
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /w/

What: A ‘w’ sound appears without being written

When: Between two vowel sounds that are next to
each other

Common Examples:

- Do it (Do wit)
- Go away (Go waway)
- Go over (Go wover)
- Go on (Go won)
- You know it (know wit)
- How are you (How war you?)
- Yes, you are (you war)
4
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /w/ Sentences

Read the following sentences using intrusive /w/

- If we don't do it now, we never will

- If he doesn't go away, I'll scream
- We need to go over the plan
- Please don't go on about it
- You know it but you won't do it
- Yes, you are the best

5
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /w/ Sentences

Read the following sentences using intrusive /w/

- If we don't do it now, we never will

- If he doesn't go away, I'll scream
- We need to go over the plan
- Please don't go on about it
- You know it but you won't do it
- Yes, you are the best

6
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /j/

What: A ‘y’ sound appears without being written

When: When one word ends in one of the following
sounds, and the next word begins with a vowel:

- /ai/ (e.g. Guy)

- /ei/ (e.g. Day)
- /oi/ (e.g. Toy)
- /i:/ (e.g. Tea)

E.g. I ate => I yate

Note: We use ‘thee’ + /j/ sound when the next word

starts with a vowel
7 E.g. The apple => Thee yapple
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /j/

Common Examples:

- I own (I yown)
- He always (He yalways)
- A guy on the TV (Guy yon)
- Day eleven (Day y-eleven)
- Tea and cake (Tea yand)
- Me and you (Me yand)
- The orange (Thee yorange)
- The elephant (Thee yelephant)
- The idiot (Thee yidiot)

8
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /j/ - Sentences

Read these sentences by yourself first:

- He always enjoys tea and cake after lunch.

- The origins of tea and coffee date back centuries.
- We always have the best conversations while
watching the others play chess.
- I ate the last piece of cake, I'm afraid.

9
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /j/ - Sentences

Read these sentences by yourself first:

- He always enjoys tea and cake after lunch.

- The origins of tea and coffee date back centuries.
- We always have the best conversations while
watching the others play chess.
- I ate the last piece of cake, I'm afraid.

10
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /r/

What: An ‘r’ sound appears without being written

When: When the first word ends in one of these ways,
and the next word starts with a vowel sound:

1) /ɔ:/
e.g. I saw a dog => I saw ra dog

2) /ə/ (schwa)
e.g. Is Obama on the TV? => Is Obama ron the TV?

3) /ɑ:/
e.g. Far and wide => Fah rand wide

11
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Intrusive /r/

Examples:
/ɔ:/
- Awe-inspiring => Awe rinspiring
- Or I could go myself? => Oh Ri

/ə/
- Media attention => Media rattention
- Add a comma in there => Comma rin
- Names e.g. Mona Adams => Mona Radams
- Rita Everett => Rita Reverett

/ɑ:/
- A spa and restaurant => Spa rand...
12 - The meat will char on the grill => cha ron
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I own a small business and I always want to find

ways to improve it.
Me and you, Mona Adams, can make a great
team.
I need someone who is smart and dedicated, not
like the idiot I had to fire last week.
Do it right, and we can go over the details of how you can contribute to the
company's success.

13
 Pronunciation | Intrusion

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I own a small business and I always want to find

ways to improve it.
Me and you, Mona Adams, can make a great
team.
I need someone who is smart and dedicated, not
like the idiot I had to fire last week.
Do it right, and we can go over the details of how you can contribute to the
company's success.

14
British
English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Assimilation
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Assimilation

Read this sentence – which words are connected?

- “Don’t you want some?”

Answer = ‘Don’t + you’

We really say, ‘don-chew’
This is called ‘assimilation’

Class Plan

1. Learn about assimilation

2. Practice sentences together
2 3. Read a passage together
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Assimilation

Assimilation = when we make a new sound when

two types of sounds are connected.
When some consonant sounds are connected, it’s
very hard to say them.

E.g. Don’t you => Don-chew

Common Situations:
1) /t/ and /j/ which make /ʧ/. (ʧ = ‘ch’ sound)
2) /d/ and /j/ which make /ʤ/. (ʤ = ‘dg’ sound)

3
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Assimilation Sentences

Examples: /t/ and /j/

• Don't you => Done-chew
• Won't you => Wone-chew
• Meet you => Me-chew
• Beat your score => Be-chore

Examples: /d/ and /j/

• I need your help => Nee-dgure
• He freed you => Free-dgew
• I'll feed you => Fee-dgew
• Bleed you dry => Blee-dgew

4
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Assimilation Sentences – Your Turn

It’s important to notice assimilation by yourself.

Read the following sentences and find the
assimilation

• I'll feed you later, just rest now.

• Don't you forget your promise.
• Won't you join us for dinner?
• I need your help to solve this puzzle.
• I'll meet you at the park at 5 PM.
• He'll beat your score in the next game.
• He freed you from the shackles of ignorance.
• They'll bleed you dry if you're not careful

5
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Assimilation Sentences – Your Turn

It’s important to notice assimilation by yourself.

Read the following sentences and find the
assimilation

• I'll feed you later, just rest now.

• Don't you forget your promise.
• Won't you join us for dinner?
• I need your help to solve this puzzle.
• I'll meet you at the park at 5 PM.
• He'll beat your score in the next game.
• He freed you from the shackles of ignorance.
• They'll bleed you dry if you're not careful

6
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I need your assistance to complete this

project.
Can I meet you tomorrow at the café to
discuss the details?
I'm confident that together, we can help
you beat your previous records and make
this project a huge success.
And after all the hard work, I'll treat you to a nice meal.

7
 Pronunciation | Assimilation

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

I need your assistance to complete this

project.
Can I meet you tomorrow at the café to
discuss the details?
I'm confident that together, we can help
you beat your previous records and make
this project a huge success.
And after all the hard work, I'll treat you to a nice meal.

8
British
English
Pronunciation
Connected Speech –
Gemination
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Gemination

Read this sentence – which words are connected?

- “This school is very strict.”

Answer = ‘This school’

We really say, ‘This-cool’
This is called ‘gemination’

Class Plan

1. Learn about gemination

2. Practice sentences together
2 3. Read a passage together
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Gemination

Gemination = when the last sound of one word and

the first sound of the next word are the same.

The sounds combine to make one longer sound.

E.g. This school => This-cool

Remember, it doesn’t mean the same letter

The sound is the important part
E.g. enough fun => enoufun

3
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Gemination

Examples:

• Bookkeeper => Boo-keeper

• Social life => Social-life
• Life force => Li-force
• This season => This-eason
• Enough food => Enouf-food
• Single ladies => Single-adies
• Rock climbing => Ro-cklimbing

4
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Gemination Sentences – Your Turn

It’s important to notice gemination by yourself.

Read the following sentences and find the
gemination.

• The bookkeeper kept detailed records.

• She enjoyed her social life immensely.
• The life force of the plant was diminished.
• This school is well known for its programs.
• They had enough food for everyone.
• The single ladies enjoyed a night out.
• He loved rock climbing on weekends.

5
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Gemination Sentences – Your Turn

It’s important to notice gemination by yourself.

Read the following sentences and find the
gemination.

• The bookkeeper kept detailed records.

• She enjoyed her social life immensely.
• The life force of the plant was diminished.
• This school is well known for its programs.
• They had enough food for everyone.
• The single ladies enjoyed a night out.
• He loved rock climbing on weekends.

6
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

She finally had enough friends to fill a small

concert hall.
The excitement of the crowd was palpable
as they waited for the rock concert to begin.
The live version of the songs were even
better than the recorded ones, and this
singer's voice was pure magic.
The audience, full of single lads and single ladies, was on its feet, singing
along to every word.

7
 Pronunciation | Gemination

Reading Challenge – Try Yourself First

She finally had enough friends to fill a small

concert hall.
The excitement of the crowd was palpable
as they waited for the rock concert to begin.
The live version of the songs were even
better than the recorded ones, and this
singer's voice was pure magic.
The audience, full of single lads and single ladies, was on its feet, singing
along to every word.