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Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

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

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When to Use Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

  • •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 Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

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 of Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

✓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 with Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

💡 Practice Tips for Connected Speech: Elision (Sound Deletion)

  • • 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.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Which sound is most often dropped in 'next day' in fast speech? 
  2. 2.Elision is best defined as  .
  3. 3.In which environment does elision of /t/ or /d/ most commonly happen? 
  4. Question 4: In 'I asked him', the final blank of 'asked' may weaken or disappear before the next consonant.
    4.In 'I asked him', the final of 'asked' may weaken or disappear before the next consonant.
  5. 5.A common mistake about elision is  .
  6. Question 6: In 'first time', the /t/ of 'first' is often blank in fast speech.
    6.In 'first time', the /t/ of 'first' is often in fast speech.
  7. 7.Which word is typically affected by elision so that an internal /d/ may drop? 
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