Linking Sounds: When Words Connect in Fast English

What “Linking” Means

In fast, natural English, speakers often connect the end of one word to the beginning of the next. This is called linking. Linking does not change the meaning, but it can change what you think you hear. The goal is to train your ear to notice the connections so you can recognize familiar words inside fast speech.

In this chapter you will practice three very common linking patterns: consonant → vowel (the final consonant “moves” to the next word), vowel → vowel (a small glide sound /w/ or /j/ appears), and consonant → consonant smoothing (two consonants meet and are pronounced smoothly as one flow).

Pattern 1: Consonant → Vowel Linking

Rule (minimal terminology)

If a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, English often links them as if the consonant starts the next word. This makes the phrase sound faster and more “connected.”

How to do it (step-by-step)

• Step 1: Find a final consonant sound (t, k, p, n, m, v, etc.).
• Step 2: Check if the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
• Step 3: Say them with no pause: the final consonant “attaches” to the next word.

Example phrases (6–10)

• pick it up → pi-ckit-up
• turn it off → tur-nit-off
• take a look → ta-ke-a-look
• need an answer → nee-dan-answer
• call us later → ca-llus-later
• move it over → moo-vit-over
• finish it early → fini-shit-early
• grab a seat → gra-ba-seat

Mini-dialogue

A: Can you pick it up after work?

B: Sure. I’ll grab a seat first and then I’ll go.

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Micro-transcript (linked version)

Can you pi-ckit-up after work? Sure. I’ll gra-ba-seat first and then I’ll go.

Pattern 2: Vowel → Vowel Linking (Glides /w/ and /j/)

Rule (minimal terminology)

If one word ends in a vowel sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound, English often inserts a tiny “bridge” sound so the vowels don’t crash into each other. Common bridges are:

• /w/ glide after rounded vowels like o, oo: go out → go(w)out
• /j/ glide (like “y”) after front vowels like ee, ay, I: I am → I(y)am

How to do it (step-by-step)

• Step 1: Identify vowel + vowel across the word boundary.
• Step 2: If the first vowel feels rounded (lips round), try a light /w/.
• Step 3: If the first vowel feels like a smile/spread (tongue forward), try a light /j/ (“y”).
• Step 4: Keep it small: it should feel like a quick slide, not a full extra syllable.

Example phrases (6–10)

• go out → go(w)out
• no idea → no(w)idea
• do it → do(w)it
• two hours → two(w)hours
• I am → I(y)am
• she asked → she(y)asked
• they are → they(y)are
• we agree → we(y)agree

Mini-dialogue

A: Are you ready to go out?

B: Yeah, I am. But I have no idea where to eat.

Micro-transcript (linked version)

Are you ready to go(w)out? Yeah, I(y)am. But I have no(w)idea where to eat.

Pattern 3: Consonant → Consonant Smoothing

Rule (minimal terminology)

When one word ends with a consonant sound and the next word begins with a consonant sound, speakers often smooth the boundary. This can happen in a few common ways:

• Same consonant: it often sounds like one longer consonant (not two separate ones).
• Similar place in the mouth: the tongue/lips stay in a similar position, so the sounds blend quickly.
• Stop + stop (like t + d, k + g): the first stop may be very light; you may hear one main release.

How to do it (step-by-step)

• Step 1: Find consonant + consonant across two words.
• Step 2: Do not insert a vowel (avoid adding “uh”).
• Step 3: Keep airflow smooth; aim for one continuous rhythm.
• Step 4: If the consonants are the same, hold it slightly longer instead of repeating it.

Example phrases (6–10)

• big game → biggame (smooth transition)
• last time → las(t)time (very light first stop)
• good day → goodday
• best friend → bes(t)friend
• next week → nex(t)week
• help me → helpme
• same movie → samemovie (m + m feels like one longer m)
• this shop → thisshop

Mini-dialogue

A: Are you free next week?

B: Maybe. I’m meeting my best friend for the same movie again.

Micro-transcript (linked version)

Are you free nex(t)week? Maybe. I’m meeting my bes(t)friend for the samemovie again.

Listen-and-Mark Task: Find the Connections

Instructions

• Step 1: Listen to the sentences (audio) without reading the linked version.
• Step 2: Look at the “Plain transcript” and underline where you think words connect.
• Step 3: Compare your underlines with the “Linked transcript.”
• Step 4: Listen again and try to hear the exact connection type (C→V, V→V glide, or C→C smoothing).

Plain transcript (underline where you hear linking)

1. Can you pick it up at eight?
2. I am on my way.
3. We agree it’s a good idea.
4. Do it after lunch.
5. Are you ready to go out now?
6. I need an answer by next week.

Linked transcript (compare)

1) Can you pi-ckit-up at eight? 2) I(y)am on my way. 3) We(y)agree it’s a goo(d)idea. 4) Do(w)it after lunch. 5) Are you ready to go(w)out now? 6) I nee-dan-answer by nex(t)week.

Quick self-check table