Connected Speech and Linking

Words blend in natural speech.

Examples

• go_on, pick_it_up

Key rules

• In natural speech, words link together: a consonant at the end of a word joins to a vowel at the start of the next word
• This makes phrases sound smooth
• Linking is common in phrases such as go on and pick it up

Common mistakes

• go on → /ɡəʊ ɒn/ spoken as separate words → Link them: /ɡəʊˈɒn/

Use cases

• Speaking naturally
• Listening to fast speech
• Improving fluency