Learn intrusive sounds that appear between vowels in connected speech: /r/, /j/, /w/.
To avoid vowel-vowel gaps, speakers may insert a glide-like sound (/j/ or /w/) or /r/ in some accents.
Do not force intrusive sounds if they are not part of your accent; clarity matters.
Do you have vowel + vowel across a boundary? If yes, a small linking sound may appear.
💡 Examples of glides: I am → /aɪ jæm/ (intrusive /j/), go out → /ɡəʊ waʊt/ (intrusive /w/). British vs US note: intrusive /r/ (idea(r) of) is mainly associated with non-rhotic accents (many UK varieties). In most US accents (rhotic), /r/ behavior is different and intrusive /r/ is much less typical, though /j/ and /w/ glides can occur in both.
✓I am → /aɪ jæm/ (possible)
✗I | am (hard break)
A /j/ glide can appear between vowel sounds.
✓go out → /ɡəʊ waʊt/ (possible)
A /w/ glide can appear to connect two vowels.
✓idea of → idea(r) of (in some UK accents)
Some non-rhotic accents insert /r/ to link vowels smoothly.