The American T

1. The beginning of the word [T is T]

a. If the T is at the beginning of a word it is a strong, clear T sound.
b. In the beginning of a word : table, take, time, teach, ten,
c. While in the past tense, D sounds like T, after unvoiced consonant sound - f, k, p
s, ch, sh, th (but not T).
Ex : Picked [pikt], hoped [houpt], raced [reist]
I took Tim ten times to try the telephone.

2. Middle of the word [T is D]

a. If the T is in the middle of the word, intonation changes the sound to a soft D.
Ex : Letter sound like [ledder]
Water, daughter, bought a, lot of, got a, later, meeting, better.
Practice these sentences :
What a good idea
Put it in a bottle

3. [T is silent]
T and N are so close in the mouth that the [t] can disappear.
Ex : interview [innerview], international [ innernational], advantage [aedvaen’j],
percentage [percen’j]
4. End of the word [T is held]
With -tain, -tten, and some TN combinations, T is held. The “held T” is, strictly
speaking, not really a T at all.
Ex : written, certain, forgotten, important, student, curtain, mountain.

Word connection :
1. U + Vowel = W
Ex : go away
Let’s do
2. I + Vowel = Y
Ex : she always
She ever
3. T + Y = t∫
Ex : don’t you
Not yet
4. D +Y = ʤ
Ex : what did you do
Could you tell me
5. S+Y = ∫
Ex : I miss you
God bless you
6. S+Y = ʒ
Ex : how’s your family?
Where’s your friends?
VOCABULARIES

Very terrible : horrendous

Very painful : excruciating, unbearable
Very old : ancient
Very hungry : starving, famished
Very open : transparent
Very poor : destitute, impoverished
Very rich : well-off, prosperous, wealthy
Very honest : straightforward, frank
Very intelligent : brilliant
Very crowded : cramped, jam-packed

OTHER WORDS

Make a line : queue up

Man of parts : someone who has many skills
Many moons ago : in old time
My way or the highway : follow my rules or get out of here
My heart bleeds : please accept my condolences
My hands are tied : I can do nothing
Hands down : likes to help
Hang it there : be patient
In so many words : approximately
Just knock it off : just go for it
Lip service : only sweet in the mouth