How to Connect Sounds Like a Native Speaker in American English
- EnglishWorks
- May 2
- 3 min read
Updated: May 10
How to Connect Sounds Like a Native Speaker in American English
One of the biggest secrets to sounding fluent in American English? Connecting sounds.
Native speakers don’t pause between every word. Instead, they blend sounds together in a way that creates smooth, rhythmic speech. If you’ve ever felt like American English speakers talk “too fast,” it’s probably because of this very feature: connected speech. In this post, we’ll break down how sound linking works and give you tips to start using it naturally in your own conversations.
What Is Sound Linking?
Sound linking is the technique of connecting the end of one word to the beginning of the next. Native English speakers do this automatically, without even thinking about it. The result? Fluent, natural-sounding speech that flows smoothly.
If you don’t connect sounds in American English, your English might sound choppy or overly formal—even if your grammar and vocabulary are perfect.
Types of Linking in American English
1. Consonant to Vowel Linking
When a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound, the consonant usually links to the vowel.
Example:
“Turn it off” → Tur-nit-off
“Pick it up” → Pi-ki-dup
Tip: Think of the final consonant as “moving over” to the next word.
2. Vowel to Vowel Linking (Using a Glide Sound)
When one word ends in a vowel sound and the next begins with a vowel, English adds a linking sound—usually /y/ or /w/—to bridge the gap.
Examples:
“I agree” → I-yagree
“Go on” → Go-won
These tiny sounds are not spelled, but they make speech easier and more fluid.
3. Consonant to Consonant Linking (Blending)
When two words end and begin with the same or similar consonant sounds, the speaker often blends them together or drops one.
Examples:
“Big game” → Bi-game
“Best time” → Bes-time
This blending is a natural part of American pronunciation and contributes to the smooth rhythm of native speech.
Why Linking Matters
It helps you sound more fluent and natural. It makes your speech easier to understand. It improves your listening comprehension, too
When you understand how linking works, you’ll start to recognize it in movies, podcasts, and conversations. And when you practice it, you’ll start sounding more like a native speaker.
How to Practice Linking Sounds
Here are a few simple but effective techniques to build your linking skills:
Listen & Repeat
Use videos, TV shows, or podcasts featuring native speakers. Pause and mimic what you hear. Focus on how the words connect—not just individual sounds.
Practice with Scripts
Read aloud using movie or TV transcripts. Mark where linking occurs and exaggerate it slightly to build the habit.
Record Yourself
Say a sentence with and without linking. Listen back and compare to native speech. Notice the difference in rhythm and flow.
Work with a Coach
A trained accent coach can help you identify where your speech breaks down and give you immediate feedback on your linking.
Examples to Practice With
Try reading these phrases out loud while linking the words together naturally:
“What is it?” → Wha-diz-zit?
“Do it again.” → Doo-wit again.
“She has it all.” → She-ha-zit-all.
“Can I ask you something?” → Ca-nai-ask you something?
Notice how much more smooth and fluent your speech becomes with just a little linking.
Conclusion
Linking sounds is one of the most powerful ways to make your American English sound fluid and authentic. With awareness and regular practice, you can learn to speak more naturally, reduce your accent, and improve your listening skills too.
EnglishWorks offers customized, 1-1 courses in advanced English fluency and American accent to help you master American English. Whether you’re an intermediate or advanced learner, we provide customized lessons to help you reach your goals.
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