#322: Linking Sounds in American English | Connecting Consonants to Vowels with Phrasal Verbs

Today’s lesson is all about smooth, connected pronunciation. Let me say that again:

Today’s lesso ⤻ ni ⤻ za ⤻ labout smooth, connected pronunciation.

What’s happening here?

In spoken English, when a word ends with a consonant sound (as in lesson) and is followed by a word that starts with a vowel sound (as in is), that ending consonant sound is linked across to the next vowel sound.

Here’s another example:

• My name’s Annemarie.
• My name ⤻ zAnnemarie

Linking consonants to vowels in this way will not only lead to more natural-sounding speech but also clearer speech with improved flow.

To help you practice and get this linking right, we’re going to take a nontraditional approach with a focus on common phrasal verbs where we link the end consonant sound to the beginning vowel sound of the next word.

Linking Sounds in American English| Consonants to Vowels with Phrasal Verbs

Why focus on phrasal verbs in a pronunciation lesson?

Phrasal verbs aren’t just common; they’re essential in English conversations. The phrasal verbs in this lesson are used daily by English speakers. By mastering today’s phrasal verbs, you’ll enhance your vocabulary and refine your pronunciation in your real-life conversations.

Today, we’ll focus on the following phrasal verbs:

Look at

To look at means to review/consider something carefully so you can make a decision about it. 

Look at vs. Luh ⤻ kat

• Upper management will look at ways to cut expenses this year.
• Upper management will luh ⤻ kat ways to cu ⤻ texpenses this year. 

Find out

To find out means to discover a fact or piece of information. 

Find out vs. Fine ⤻ dout

• I need to find out the time of the meeting.
• I need to fine ⤻ dout the ti ⤻mof the meeting.

Turn off

To turn off means to stop the flow or shut off something. 

Turn off vs. Tur ⤻ noff

• Please turn off the lights before leaving.
• Please tur ⤻ noff the lights before leaving.

Pick up

To pick up means to lift someone or something up or to collect something and go. 

Pick up vs. Pi ⤻ kup

• Please pick up the kids from school.
• Please pi ⤻ kup the kids from school.

Hold on

To hold on means to manage to stay alive or deal with a situation. It can also be used to tell someone to wait. 

Hold on vs. Hol ⤻ don

• Please hold on for a minute.
• Please hol ⤻ don fo ⤻ ra minute.

Log on

To log in means to connect to a computer system by inputting a series of letters and numbers. 

Log in vs. Loh ⤻ gin

• It took me a few minutes to log in to Zoom.
• It took me a few minutes to loh ⤻ gin to Zoom.

Hang out

To hang out means to spend time relaxing or socializing, usually with friends. 

Hang out vs. Hay ⤻ ngout

• Do you wanna hang out this Friday?
• Do you wanna hay ⤻ ngout this Friday?

Drop off

To drop off means to take something or someone to a particular place and leave them/it there.

Drop off vs. Droh ⤻ poff

• I need to drop off some groceries for my parents.
• I need to droh ⤻ poff some groceries for my parents.

Run into

To run into means to collide with something, to meet someone you know unexpectedly, or to experience some issue.

Run into vs. Ruh ⤻ ninto

• I didn’t expect to run into my friend from high school today!
• I didn ⤻ texpect to ruh ⤻ ninto my friend from high school today!

Get up

To get up means to rise from a relaxed position or bed after sleeping.

Get up vs. Geh ⤻ tup

• I need to get up early to catch my flight.
• I need to geh ⤻ tu ⤻ pearly to catch my flight.

Tips for Mastering Liaison Consonants

1. Listen for Examples:

One of the best ways to learn liaison is to listen attentively to conversations around you and take note of common groups of words (chunks) or phrases where you recognize linked sounds. 

2. Read Aloud:
   If you want to use reading to practice pronunciation, select a limited period of time (say, 10 minutes) and a short text. Analyze it first. Find opportunities to link sounds just as we’ve done in this lesson. Then, read aloud. 

3. Create a Speaking Journal:
   Recording your practice sessions can be incredibly helpful. I highly recommend creating your own speaking journal and choosing 3-4 phrasal verbs or word chucks that you’ve focused on for a specific topic. Record yourself talking about the topic. Then, listen back to identify areas where the pronunciation could be smoother and practice again.

4. Shadow Others:

Shadowing is wonderful for your pronunciation practice. This means listening to someone else and then imitating the speech as closely and as quickly as possible.

All my best,

~ Annemarie

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