Learn US-style flapping: /t/ and /d/ can sound like a quick flap /ɾ/ between vowels.
In many US accents, /t/ and /d/ between vowels (when the second vowel is unstressed) can become a quick flap /ɾ/.
Do not use flapping if you are aiming for a careful or strongly non-US model.
Is /t/ between vowels, with the next syllable unstressed? If yes (US), it may flap.
💡 Common environment: V + t + V (unstressed), e.g., better, water. British vs US note: flapping is strongly associated with American English (and some other varieties). Many UK accents keep a clearer /t/ or may use a glottal stop in some contexts instead; choose the model accent you want and be consistent.
✓water → /ˈwɔɾər/ (US)
✗water → /ˈwɔtər/ (very careful US speech)
In casual US speech, /t/ is often a flap /ɾ/ between vowels.
✓better → /ˈbɛɾər/ (US)
The /t/ becomes /ɾ/ in a very common pattern.
✓city → /ˈsɪɾi/ (US)
The flap often occurs when the following syllable is unstressed.