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Reductions in English

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Putting endings on words is important because they carry grammatical information and if not pronounced, the speaker may be misunderstood.  But when we connect words in sentences, the endings of words sometimes change.  They may become reduced (less pronounced), they may be moved to the next sound or another sound may be inserted to create a smooth, fluid flow.  Here is an example of a reduction of a sound.  Look at the sentence on your screen:

 He had a good day when he went to work.  Notice that the final /d/ on “good”  is beside a word that begins with /d/ (day).  Since “good” ends in a /d/ and the next word begins with a /d/, the first /d/ is hardly pronounced.  Let me contrast the two for you. 

 The first word combination was pronounced  separately and the second one had a reduction of the /d/ sound in good. Did one of those sentences sound more choppy and did one sound smooth and connected?

 Take a look now at the second example in this sentence, “went to.”  The two t’s together indicate that one of them, the first one, will not be spoken strongly.  Listen:

 Went to vs. wen to

 This detail in speech may seem small and insignificant, but for nonnative speakers, it significantly benefits rhythm and ultimately intelligibility if used.

Would you like to learn how to do this in running speech?  Sign-up today for the class, “Be Rhythmic and Fluid: Get Connected.” 

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Comments 

 
#17 Amelia 20093233??1 2011-03-31 15:41
Yes, I'm quite agree with what you said above.As an English learner,it's my obligation to speak correctly and make myself understood. I believe that I can speak more rhythmic and fluid English if I follow your advice, right?
 
 
#16 Anna 20093213 ??1 2011-03-31 15:20
We should pay mor attention to what you said above.For as a English learner,it will be ridiculous if you couldn't make yourself understood.So we'd better pronounce as correctly as we can.
 
 
#15 william 2011-03-31 14:41
I agree that point "Putting endings on words is important because they carry grammatical information and if not pronounced, the speaker may be misunderstood". It is really very imporent !
 
 
#14 wendy20093209??1 2011-03-31 14:14
In speaking of the details seem small and insignificant, but it will feel in listening to understand English is, English words are heard not understand the meaning of running words together
 
 
#13 jenny 20093209??1 2011-03-31 14:09
Not all words can be tonal tail, and sometimes we have to listen to English, we will not sure what the meaning of a word or sentence, this is because it is a tonal. All the time we have to even read the words together, so that we can progress in listening and reading! !
 
 
#12 Emily 20093320 2011-03-31 13:44
This passege tell us that Putting endings on words is very important ,some words is not pronounced,when we are speaking,we should pay attention to it.
 
 
#11 kay 20093317 2011-03-31 13:42
In my opinion, I think the above mentioned very suitable for our study. We study spoken English improved to can be helpful.
 
 
#10 Anna 2011-03-31 13:41
Reduction means when the first word end and the second word begin at same letter.we have to read it weakly.
 
 
#9 saide20093310class1 2011-03-31 13:40
i like it ,but my english is not good ,i need more help about pronounciation. i just want to speak it creatlly!thanks!
 
 
#8 Happy 2011-03-31 13:33
Reduction in english make our oral english smoonthly.we should remember the first ending of word must be speak weakly.