Consonants That Disappear in Fast Speech

by Vocafy Verificado

Inglês (EUA) B2 12 perguntas Words & expressions

Explore how /t/ and /d/ can disappear in everyday American English phrases while the meaning stays the same.

1. 1. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   An evening update.

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   • We stayed home last night.

   In “last night,” /t/ may disappear between /s/ and /n/. The written phrase stays the same.

2. 2. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   A delivery update.

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   • The package came the next day.

   “Next” has three consonant sounds at its end: /kst/. Before “day,” the final /t/ may disappear.

3. 3. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   Someone describes a friendship.

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   • My best friend lives nearby.

   In “best friend,” /s/ may connect directly to /f/, without a clear /t/ between them.

4. 4. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   Someone explains where an item is.

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   • My old phone is in the drawer.

   In “old phone,” /d/ may disappear while /l/ remains. That remaining sound helps you recognize “old.”

5. 5. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   Directions during a drive.

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   • Please turn left before the bridge.

   The /t/ in “left” may disappear before /b/, but the /f/ remains.

6. 6. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   A morning commute.

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   • The first bus was already full.

   “First bus” may have no clear /t/ sound. The word “first” still tells you which bus the speaker means.

7. 7. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   Someone describes a reaction to an alarm.

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   • She seemed calm, even when the alarm went off.

   The past-tense ending in “seemed calm” can lose its /d/ sound. Keep the ending when writing the sentence.

8. 8. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   A regular outdoor activity.

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   • We go hiking most weekends, unless it rains.

   In “most weekends,” /t/ may disappear before /w/. “Unless” introduces the situation that changes the usual plan.

9. 9. Ouça e digite a resposta.

   A hiking trip in difficult conditions.

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   • Despite the cold weather, they continued hiking.

   The /d/ in “cold weather” may disappear. “Despite” signals that the weather did not stop the activity.

10. 10. Ouça e digite a resposta.

    Someone describes a skin-care product.

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    • The hand cream was soothing but a little greasy.

    In “hand cream,” /n/ may connect straight to /k/, with no clear /d/ in between.

11. 11. Ouça e digite a resposta.

    A conversation about a boat trip.

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    • The wind blew toward shore, so returning was easier.

    The /d/ in “wind blew” may disappear before /b/. “Blew” is the past tense of “blow.”

12. 12. Ouça e digite a resposta.

    A report about people caught in a storm.

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    • Although they found shelter, the storm was still a serious threat.

    In “found shelter,” /d/ may disappear before the “sh” sound. “Although” shows that finding shelter did not remove all danger.