Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

Learn elision: sounds disappear in fast speech to make pronunciation easier.

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When to Use

•When words are hard to pronounce together because of many consonants.
•When listening: elision explains why you may not hear every sound.
•When aiming for more natural rhythm at faster speed.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

In fast speech, certain sounds (often /t/ or /d/) may be dropped in consonant clusters.

Negative (-)

Do not delete sounds in careful speech when clarity is important.

Question (?)

Is there a difficult consonant cluster (especially with /t/ or /d/)? If yes, elision may occur.

💡 Common cases: next day → /neks deɪ/ (t may be dropped), handbag → /ˈhæmbæɡ/ (d may be dropped). British vs US note: elision occurs in both varieties; how often it happens depends on speed and region, and US speech may combine it with flapping in some contexts.

Examples

✓next day → /neks deɪ/ (possible)

✗next day → /nekst deɪ/ (always fully pronounced)

The /t/ in a /kst d/ cluster can be dropped in fast speech.

✓friendship → /ˈfrɛnʃɪp/ (possible)

Some consonants may disappear to simplify the cluster.

✓I asked him → /aɪ ɑːs(t) ɪm/ (t may be weak or absent)

A final /t/ can disappear before another consonant in fast speech.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Practice common clusters: next day, first time, asked them, handbag.
• Say the careful version first, then speed up.
• Do dictation: write what you hear, then compare to the original text.

connected-speech-assimilation connected-speech-word-boundaries

Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

Learn elision: sounds disappear in fast speech to make pronunciation easier.

advanced

When to Use

•When words are hard to pronounce together because of many consonants.
•When listening: elision explains why you may not hear every sound.
•When aiming for more natural rhythm at faster speed.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

In fast speech, certain sounds (often /t/ or /d/) may be dropped in consonant clusters.

Negative (-)

Do not delete sounds in careful speech when clarity is important.

Question (?)

Is there a difficult consonant cluster (especially with /t/ or /d/)? If yes, elision may occur.

Examples

✓next day → /neks deɪ/ (possible)

✗next day → /nekst deɪ/ (always fully pronounced)

The /t/ in a /kst d/ cluster can be dropped in fast speech.

✓friendship → /ˈfrɛnʃɪp/ (possible)

Some consonants may disappear to simplify the cluster.

✓I asked him → /aɪ ɑːs(t) ɪm/ (t may be weak or absent)

A final /t/ can disappear before another consonant in fast speech.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Practice common clusters: next day, first time, asked them, handbag.
• Say the careful version first, then speed up.
• Do dictation: write what you hear, then compare to the original text.

connected-speech-assimilation connected-speech-word-boundaries

Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Expecting to hear every letter

✗Deleting sounds randomly

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Expecting to hear every letter

✗Deleting sounds randomly

💡 Practice Tips

Related