Linking Consonants Across Words

by Vocafy Imethibitishwa

Kiingereza (Marekani) B1 15 maswali Words & expressions

Discover how words flow together in everyday American English, from quick requests to longer messages.

1. 1. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   Someone points to a toy on the floor.

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   • Pick it up.

   The final k sound in 'pick' flows straight into 'it,' without a pause.

2. 2. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   The room is dark, and someone points to a lamp.

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   • Turn it on.

   The middle word is short, so these three words can sound like one group.

3. 3. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   A receptionist welcomes a visitor.

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   • Have a seat.

   'Have' ends with a v sound that connects to the short word 'a.'

4. 4. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   A host welcomes a friend at the front door.

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   • Come inside.

   'Come' ends with an m sound. Its final e is silent.

5. 5. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   A driver has parked beside the sidewalk.

   The small words in the middle may sound very short.

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   • Get out of the car.

   In everyday speech, 'of' often has a weak vowel rather than the clear vowel you hear when it stands alone.

6. 6. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   A friend gives advice before a walk in wet weather.

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   • Bring an umbrella.

   'Bring' ends with the same sound as 'sing,' not a separate hard g sound.

7. 7. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   Two people are deciding what to do with a window.

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   • Leave it open.

   In 'it open,' the t may sound like a quick, soft d in American English.

8. 8. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   A traveler describes a plan for arriving at a hotel.

   Notice how the speaker moves through the short words in the middle.

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   • I'll check in after lunch.

   'Check in' means to report your arrival, often at a hotel or an airport.

9. 9. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

   Someone is leaving the kitchen for a minute while food is cooking.

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   • Keep an eye on it.

   'Keep an eye on' means to watch something and make sure it is all right.

10. 10. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    Several friends want to see the same photo.

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    • Could you pass it around?

    'Pass around' means to give something to one person, then another.

11. 11. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    Someone explains why breakfast will be different today.

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    • We ran out of milk.

    'Ran out of' means that a supply was used up and none remained.

12. 12. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    A person reports the result of a search for a missing key.

    Listen for the location near the end.

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    • I found it under the table.

    'Found' is the past form of 'find.' The d connects closely to the next word, 'it.'

13. 13. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    Two coworkers discuss how they received a message.

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    • She sent us an email.

    The sequence 'us an email' has two close word boundaries: s joins a vowel, then n joins a vowel.

14. 14. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    A coworker reminds someone about an important detail.

    The first word changes the meaning of the request.

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    • Don't leave it out of the report.

    Here, 'leave out' means not include. It does not mean to put something outside.

15. 15. Sikiliza kisha andika jibu.

    Two people need to discuss a decision, but not right now.

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    • Let's talk it over after dinner.

    'Talk it over' means to discuss something carefully, often before making a decision.