Pronunciation

BBC LEARNING ENGLISH
Tim's Pronunciation Workshop

/d/ to /j/ assimilation
Tim
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm going to show you how
English is really spoken. Come on. Let’s go inside. How do you ask for help? And what is
the connection between this… and this? Well, this is a piece of what? And what is the
female version of this animal called? Put them together and what do you get? Well, here’s
how some people in London ask for help.
Voxpops
Would you do me a favour?
Tim
Wood. Ewe. Would you – get it? Now, the words ‘ewe’ and ‘you’ have the same
pronunciation, don’t they? But what happens to the word ‘you’ when it comes after the
sound /d/? Watch and listen again
Voxpops
Tim
In fluent speech when one word ends in a /d/ sound and the next word begins in a /j/ sound,
the two sounds come together and change to a /ʤ/ sound. You also might have noticed
that the /uː/ in 'you' can change to schwa. So 'would you' becomes 'would you', or even
‘would ya’ This is an example of assimilation. Here are some more examples.
Examples
I’m sad you decided to quit.
Could you get here by midnight?
Should you see him, can you give him a message?
I don’t think the gold you bought was real.
Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

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Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples. What do we do? Listen and repeat.
Examples
I’m sad you decided to quit.
Could you get here by midnight?
Should you see him, can you give him a message?
I don’t think the gold you bought was real.
Tim
Well done. And remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit
our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the pronunciation workshop
for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Right, now, what am I going to do with you? Ha ha
– what am I going do with ‘ewe’, get it? Oh come on, would you give a guy a break?! She
gets it.

/d/ - /b/ assimilation
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Now, do you know the word speeb? No,
of course not because it’s not a real word. Or is it? Listen to some people in London talking
about this.
Voxpops
It’s a speed boat.
Speed boat.
Speed boat.
Speed boat.
Speed boat.
Tim
Now, the word speed ends in the sound /d/, doesn’t it? Well not always. Watch and listen
again, what sound can you actually hear?
Voxpops
It’s a spee? boat.
Spee? boat.
Spee? boat.
Spee? boat.
Spee? boat.
Tim
In everyday speech, when we’re speaking fluently, if one word ends in a vowel sound
followed by a /d/ and the next begins in a /b/, then the /d/ changes to a /b/ and then merges
with the /b/ from the following word. So ‘speed boat’, becomes ‘speebboat’. Watch again,
this time in slow motion. Look at the mouth shape. Can you see /d/ or is it just /b/?
Voxpops
Speeb boat.
Speeb boat.
Speeb boat.
Speeb boat.
Speeb boat.

Tim
This is another case of assimilation.
Here are some more examples.
Examples
My son is a really good boy.
I’m sorry if I was rude before.
My car had to be towed back to the garage.
You should buy him a present.
Tim
So, you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. You know the drill. Listen and
repeat.
Examples
My son is a really good boy.
I’m sorry if I was rude before.
My car had to be towed back to the garage.
You should buy him a present.
Tim
for this week. I’ll see you soon. Bye bye! Aah – you know, one day I’m going to get one of
these. Not a toy, obviously, but the real thing. My dad promised. He said if I was a good
boy, he’d buy me a boat. That was quite a long time ago actually. I think I was five years old
– and I have been a good boy. Maybe he’s just forgotten. I’m never going to get my speed
boat, am I?

Assimilation of /s/
Tim
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm going to show you
how English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. You know how they say
that British people are obsessed with the weather? Well I'm feeling under it today.
Under the weather – that's an expression which means 'I'm not feeling very well'.
Excuse me! What do you say in your language when someone sneezes? Do you
know what we say in British English? Let's ask the people of London.
Voxpops
Bless you.
Bless you.
Bless you.
Bless you.
Tim
Thank you! Bless you! Now the word 'bless' ends in /s/ and 'you' begins with
/j/. But what happens to the /s/ sound when we put the two words together?
Watch and listen again.
Voxpops
Bless you.
Bless you.
Bless you.
Bless you.
Tim
In fluent speech, when a /s/ sound is followed by a /j/ then the /s/ changes
to a /ʃ/ sound, and this change also happens if the next word begins with the
/ʃ/ sound itself. So 'bless you' becomes 'bleshyou' and 'this shirt' becomes
'thishirt'. This is an example of assimilation. And don't forget this can also happen
if the /s/ is followed by a /t/, because as you might remember from a previous

video, the /t/ sound disappears between two consonants. Here are some more
examples.
Examples
Can you just shut the door please?!
This yacht is beautiful.
Don't worry, that's usual.
He always makes you feel good.
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Listen and repeat.
Examples
Can you just shut the door please?!
This yacht is beautiful.
Don't worry, that's usual.
He always makes you feel good.
Tim
Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then
please visit our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the
pronunciation workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, my mum
always said that this stuff is great when you're feeling under the weather. What is
it? It's just yoghurt. Ewww. Umm… better not. Toasty.

Assimilation of /t/ and /k/
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Now, these days, when you go to a real
shop do you prefer to pay by cash or by plastic? What do we call one of these? Now, I’m
sure you already know, but let’s hear what the people of London call it.
Voxpops
It’s a credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Tim
A credit card. Now, the word credit ends in the sound /t/, doesn’t it? Or does it? Watch
and listen again. What sound can you actually hear?
Voxpops
It’s a credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Credit card.
Tim
In fluent speech, when one word ends in a vowel sound followed by a /t/ and the next
word begins with a /k/, the /t/ changes to a /k/. So /kredɪt kɑːd/ becomes /kredɪk kɑːd/.
It’s an example of assimilation. And here are some more examples.
Examples
Don’t let it get cold!
You have to do it quickly.
There’s no short cut to learning a language.
I didn’t like that cake.

Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. You know the drill. Listen and
repeat.
Examples
Don’t let it get cold!
You have to do it quickly.
There’s no short cut to learning a language.
I didn’t like that cake.
Tim
Well done. Now, remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please
visit our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the pronunciation
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, to be honest, I don’t really use
cash or card these days. I don’t need them. No. If you want to maintain your street cred,
then the only way is pay by phone. Erm. Have you got a charger?

Assimilation of /t/ to /ʧ/
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. When you meet someone for the first
time, there are several things you can say. If you want to be formal, you could say 'How do
you do?' But there is another, less formal expression. Do you know what it is? Let's meet
some of the people of London.
Voxpops
It's nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Tim
Well, it's nice to meet you too. Now, the word 'meet' ends in the sound /t/, and the word
'you' begins with /j/, don't they? Or do they? Listen again. What can you actually hear when
these two sounds come together?
Voxpops
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Tim
In fluent speech, when one word ends in /t/ and the next begins with a /j/ sound, like 'you'
or 'yours', then the two sounds come together and change to /ʧ/. So 'meet you' becomes
/miːʧuː/. This is an example of assimilation. Now you might remember that in a previous
video I mentioned that the /t/ sound can disappear in between two consonants. Well, this
can still happen if the next word is 'you' or 'your', but it's more usual for the /t/ to change
to /ʧ/ in this case. Here are some more examples.
Examples
That shirt won't suit you.

Don't you want to come to the party?
I bet your boss doesn't know.
Can I get you anything?
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready to start? Listen
and repeat.
Examples
That shirt won't suit you.
Don't you want to come to the party?
I bet your boss doesn't know.
Can I get you anything?
Tim
Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Ugh. That is not right.
Tim
Hello.
Tom
Hello, is that Tim? It's Tom.
Tim
Oh hi, Tom. Yeah it's Tim.
Tom
So, did you enjoy your tea?
Tim
No. It was disgusting.
Tom
Ha ha, that's because I put salt in, instead of sugar - gotcha!
Tim
Why, you little… I'm gonna get you. I have a very particular set of skills. Skills that make me
a nightmare for people like you. I will hunt you down. I will find you. And I will put shaving
cream on your pillow. Brothers eh?! Well I guess that goes to show that you can't always
get what you want. Now, time to start plotting my revenge. Idiot.

Assimilation of '-nd'
Tim
Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here, I'm gonna show you how English
is really spoken. It'll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker. Come on,
let's go inside.
Now, when we speak English fluently, the sounds in words can join together, change or
even disappear entirely. Sometimes more than one of these can happen.
Take this for example. Now, I'm sure you know what it is, but let's ask the people of
London:
Voxpops
An egg sandwich
It's a sandwich
It's a sandwich
It's an egg sandwich
Tim
Now, the word 'sandwich' has an /n/ followed by a /d/, doesn't it? Or does it? Listen again,
what sound can you hear?
Voxpops
An egg sandwich
It's a sandwich
It's a sandwich
It's an egg sandwich
Tim
Instead of sandwich, we hear samwich.
That's pretty crazy, right! So, what is going on?
Well, first the /d/ disappears in between two consonants.
You might remember this from our video on elision. So sandwich becomes sanwich.
Now, we have an /n/ followed by a /w/ and /n/ changes to /m/ before /w/.

You might remember this from our video on assimilation. So sandwich becomes samwich.
Have another look – this time in slow motion. Watch the shape of the mouth. Can you see
/nd/ or /m/?
Voxpops
Sandwich
Sandwich
Sandwich
Sandwich
Tim
Pretty cool, huh? Here are some more examples:
Examples
My grandparents have been married for 50 years.
I got a standby ticket.
The band played until midnight
I left my handbag on the train.
Tim
Ok, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready? Listen and
repeat.
Examples
My grandparents have been married for 50 years.
I got a standby ticket.
The band played until midnight
I left my handbag on the train.
Tim
Well done.
Remember if you want to see more on pronunciation please visit our website:
bbclearningenglish.com.
That's about it from the pronunciation workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye.
Now, where did I put that sandwich? It was handmade, just for me.
Argh!

Assimilation of 'n' and 'p'
Tim
let's go inside.
Now, one of the things that happens when we speak fluently is that the sounds at the end of
a word can change.
To demonstrate this, we asked people on the streets of London to identify this tube station.
Voxpops
Green Park
Green Park
Green Park
It's Green Park
Tim
Now, the word Green ends in the sound /n/ doesn't it - or does it? Listen again, what sound
can you hear?
Voxpops
Green Park
Green Park
Green Park
It's Green Park
Tim
So, what's happening here?
Well, when one word ends in the sound /n/ and the next word begins with a /b/, /p/, /w/ or
/m/ sound, then the /n/ at the end of the word changes to an /m/ as your mouth gets ready
to pronounce the next sound.
Green Park, becomes Greem Park.
Watch again, this time in slow motion. Look at the mouth shape. Can you see /n/ or /m/?

Voxpops
Green Park
Green Park
Green Park
It's Green Park
Tim
Interesting, eh? This is called assimilation. Here are some more examples:
Examples
I own ten pairs of socks.
He didn't do it on purpose.
I would love to live in Paris
Can you come on Wednesday?
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples and now it's your turn. Are you ready? Listen and
repeat.
Examples
I own ten pairs of socks.
He didn't do it on purpose.
I would love to live in Paris
Can you come on Wednesday?
Tim
Well done.
Now if you want to read more about pronunciation please visit our website:
bbclearningenglish.com.
That's about it from the pronunciation workshop for now. I'll see you next time. Bye bye.
Now, where is Green Park, is it on Buckingham Palace Road?
Aaaah!

Assimilation: /t/ and /p/
Tim
English is really spoken. It'll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker.
Come on, let's go inside.
Here's a question for you: When is a tea not a tea? Well, this is the answer. What is it? And
what colour is it? Let's go to the streets of London to find out.
Voxpops
It's a white piece of paper.
That is a white piece of paper.
That's a white piece of paper.
Tim
Now the word white ends in the sound /t/, doesn't it? Or does it? Let's have another listen.
Voxpops
That's a white piece of paper.
Tim
In fluent speech, if one word ends in a /t/ sound and the next word begins in a /p/ sound,
the /t/ is pronounced slightly differently. In fact, we pronounce it as if it were almost a /p/
sound. So white piece of paper becomes whi(te) piece of paper. Let's take another look,
this time in slow motion:

Voxpops
whi(te) piece
whi(te) piece
whi(te) piece
whi(te) piece
whi(te) piece
whi(te) piece of paper
Tim
Interesting, hey? This is an example of how sounds change in everyday speech. And it's
called assimilation. Here are some more examples:
Examples
There are lots of grea(t) parks in London.
I love spli(t) pea soup.
I ha(te) potatoes.
My ma(te) picked us up from the airport.
Tim
Right, so, you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready to have a go?
Listen and repeat.
Examples
There are lots of grea(t) parks in London.
I love spli(t) pea soup.
I ha(te) potatoes.
My ma(te) picked us up from the airport.
Tim
How did you get on? Great. If you want to hear more about this topic, please visit our
website: bbclearningenglish.com. That's about it from the pronunciation workshop this
week. Bye bye.
Did you just see…? I could have sworn it was… You know, sometimes I think I have a split
personality!

Elision: /t/
Tim
Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English
let's go inside.
Today, we're going to hear a disappearing sound. Or rather, we're not going to hear it.
What is the negative form of can? Can't, right? And what's the final sound in the word can't?
/t/, right? Or is it? How good are you at maths? Can you answer this question? Hmm, tricky.
Let's ask the people of London:
Voxpops
No, sorry, I can't do it.
I can't do it.
Sorry, I can't do that.
No, I can't do that.
No sorry, I can't do that.
Tim
Well, that is very tricky indeed. I'll give you the answer in a minute. But first, did you notice
the /t/ sound at the end of can't? No, I don't think I did either. Let's have another listen.
Voxpops
No, sorry, I can't do it.
I can't do it.
No, I can't do that.
No sorry, I can't do that.
Tim
In everyday speech, when a /t/ sound comes in between two consonant sounds, we often
don't pronounce it. This is because it makes the words flow together more fluently. It's
more difficult to say three consonants together in a row when /t/ is in the middle. Your
mouth has to do too much work. I can't do it [pronounced clearly] is more difficult to say
than I can't do it [pronounced naturally, without the /t/]. When a sound disappears in
between two words, it's called elision. Here are some other examples.

Voxpops
I can't stand the rain.
It must be time to leave.
Am I the first person here?
I don't want it.
Tim
So, you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready to give it a go? Listen
and repeat.
Examples
I can't stand the rain.
It must be time to leave.
Am I the first person here?
I don't want it.
Tim
How did you get on? Great. Remember, if you want to read more about this topic please
visit our website bbclearningenglish.com. Now, are you still struggling with that maths
question? Well, let me put you out of your misery – here's the answer. Right. Well, that's all
for this week from the pronunciation workshop. I'll see you next week. Is that the time?!
I'm running seriously late. I must go. Bye. Ow!

Elision of /d/
Tim
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here I'm going to show you how
English is really spoken. It'll help you to become a better listener and a more fluent speaker.
Are you ready? Come on, follow me. Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most
important questions in contemporary Britain. The answer will also help you improve your
pronunciation. So, what is this question? Well, it involves one of these, and one of these.
Quite simply: do you prefer your potatoes steamed - or boiled? What’s your preference?
Well this is what the people of London think.
Voxpops
I prefer steamed potatoes.
I prefer boiled potatoes.
I prefer steamed potatoes to boiled potatoes.
Tim
Well there we have it: the nation has spoken. Our completely scientific survey proves that
the country is divided fifty-fifty. But what about pronunciation? Well, one of the things that
happens when we speak English fluently is that we don’t always pronounce all the sounds in
every word. The words steamed and boiled both end in the sound /d/, don’t they? Or do
they? Watch and listen again - can you hear the sound /d/?
Voxpops
I prefer steamed potatoes.
I prefer steamed potatoes to boiled potatoes.
Tim
It’s very difficult to say /d/ when it comes in between two other consonants. Your mouth
has to do a lot of work. So in many cases the /d/ is not pronounced. 'Boiled potatoes'
becomes 'boilpotatoes'. And 'steamed potatoes' becomes 'steampotatoes'. This is called
elision. Here are some more examples.
Examples
My best friend let me borrow his car.
Don’t hold back - say what you mean.
His car rolled down the hill.
Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. You know the drill: listen and
repeat.
Examples
My best friend let me borrow his car.
Don’t hold back - say what you mean.
His car rolled down the hill.
Tim
workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye bye. Right – now I'd better prepare my own
potatoes. Ahhh!! I just peeled my finger! Ewwwsh – doesn't look good…
Elision of /h/
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Now, if you’ve been following my
adventures in this workshop, you will know that I have had a bit of bad luck, now and then.
But not half as much bad luck as this chap. Listen to what these people are saying about
him.
Voxpops
He looks like he’s had an accident.
Tim
Now, they all used the word ‘he’ twice. But there were two different pronunciations. Listen
out for them both as you watch again.
Voxpops
Tim
In fluent speech, if the word ‘he’ comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause, then the ‘h’
sound /h/ is pronounced. But if it comes in the middle of a sentence or clause and after a
consonant, then the ‘h’ sound is not usually pronounced. So /hiː/ becomes /iː/ and ‘he looks
like he’s had an accident’ becomes ‘he looks like ‘e’s had an accident’. Not this change also
happens with certain other words beginning with the ‘h’ sound, like him, his or her. Here
are some more examples.
Examples
I really like his cooking.
We think he’s left the country.
They let him leave early.
They offered her a promotion.

Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. You know the drill by now.
Listen and repeat.
Examples
I really like his cooking.
We think he’s left the country.
They let him leave early.
They offered her a promotion.
Tim
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, that man in the photograph – his
head looked a bit sore – which reminds me. Saw! I love DIY! Actually, I am a bit accident-
prone. But my twin Tom is very good with his hands. I think I’ll give him a ring and ask for
his advice. Ow! Every time!

Gemination /s/
Tim
Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English
let's go inside.
Now, do you know my star sign? Of course you don't, I don't even know my star sign. I
don't believe in any of that rubbish. But I know someone who does. Say hello to my twin,
Tom.
Tom
Hi.
Tim
Hi Tom.
Tom
Oh, hi Tim.
Tim
So, Tom, what's our star sign?
Tom
I don't know what yours is Tim, but I'm a Gemini.
Tim
Thanks Tom, you can go now.
Tom
You're welcome. Bye.
Tim
You know when I think of Tom, and the fact that I got the brains and the good looks, it
makes me feel a bit like this. Oh, I've got an idea. I can use this to help with this week's
topic. Let's ask the people of London what they think of this photo.

Voxpops
That man looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
Tim
How many 's's are there in the words 'he looks sad'? Two, right? But how many can you
hear? Watch again.
Voxpops
That man looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
He looks sad.
Tim
When one word ends in a /s/ sound and the next word begins in /s/, we don't pronounce
both sounds, nor do we pronounce just one sound. Instead they come together to make a
slightly longer /s/ sound. So, he looks sad becomes he lookssad. This is called 'twinning' or
gemination. It helps the words to flow smoothly from one to the other in everyday speech.
Here are some more examples:
Voxpops
She's silly.
He's sitting over there.
Can you come this Saturday?
That's so unfair!
Tim
Right, so you've heard some examples, now it's your turn. Are you ready to start? Listen
and repeat.
Examples
She's silly.
He's sitting over there.
Can you come this Saturday?
That's so unfair!

Tim
So how did you get on? Great. Remember, you can always read more about this topic on
our website, bbclearningenglish.com. That's all from the workshop for now. See you next
week. Bye bye.
Tom
Oh, Tim, I've got it! If I'm Gemini and you're my twin, then you must be Virgo!
Tim
He really is stupid.

The gemination of /t/
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. This week, I'm going to need some help
from my favourite twin. Please welcome back Tom, who's going to help me present. Hi
Tom!
Tom
Hi Tim! Now, are you a lover?
Tim
Or a fighter? Do you prefer to dance?
Tom
Or would you rather have an argument?
Tim
There's an expression we have in English that contains the name of a dance …
Tom
… and means when two people get involved in a fight or argument, then in most cases both
have to take some of the responsibility. Do you know the expression?
Tim
Well, let's ask the people of London.
Voxpops
It takes two to tango.
Tim and Tom

Tom
Lot of 't's in that, Tim.

Tim
Lot of 't's indeed, Tom. Five in fact. It takes two to Tango. But are all of these usually
pronounced? Can you hear all of them? Listen again.
Voxpops
Tim
You might remember from a previous video that when the sound /t/ comes in between two
consonants, we don't usually pronounce it.
Tom
But what happens if there is a vowel sound before the /t/? And the next word also begins
with /t/?
Tim
Well, in this case the two /t/ sounds join together to create one slightly stronger /t/.
So 'it takes two' becomes 'it takes two' This is an example of twinning or gemination.
Examples
It took him twenty years to get to the top.
You don't have to cheat to pass the test.
You were right to be upset.
We took the overnight train to Venice.
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill. Listen and
repeat.
Examples
It took him twenty years to get to the top.
You don't have to cheat to pass the test.
You were right to be upset.
We took the overnight train to Venice.
Tim

workshop for this week. We'll see you soon. Bye bye! Ah, thank you for all your hard work,
Tom.
Tom
Ah. No problem, you're the best Tim.
Tim
Hey, thanks, you're great too. Ah! That was weird! What was that all about?
Tom
Hey, you started it.
Tim
No I didn't.
Tom
Yes you did.
Tim
Well, maybe a little bit. I guess that just goes to prove it takes two to tango.

Intrusive /r/
Tim
let's go inside.
Have you ever seen a ghost? No, of course you haven't, because they don't exist. But have
you ever heard a sound that wasn't there? Well, if you've listened to lots of real English, you
probably have. We asked the people of London what they think is the most important thing
the government should prioritise. This is what they said:
Voxpops
I think law and order is important.
Yes, I think law and order is important.
Law and order is very important.
We all think that law and order is important.
I think law and order is very important.
Tim
Meet my boys. Law and order. Join them together with the word and, and you can hear
another sound after the word law. Listen out for it.
Voxpops
I think law and order is important.
Yes, I think law and order is important.
Law and order is very important.
We all think that law and order is important.
I think law and order is very important.
Tim
In fluent speech, if a word ends in an /ɔː/ sound, like law, and the next word begins in an /ə/,
you'll often hear a /r/ sound linking them together. Law r and order. Law r and order.
'Law r and order' is easier to say than 'law and order'. It flows better. And this is called
intrusion. Now this is a little bit controversial. It doesn't happen in all accents and some
people do say it's not the proper way to speak. But it is something you will hear. Just
remember the /r/ sound is not very strong. Here are some other examples:

Examples
Can you draw a circle freehand?
My dog hurt its paw on some broken glass.
There was a flaw in the argument.
I saw a good film last night.
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, now it's your turn. Are you ready to give it a try?
Listen and repeat.
Examples
Can you draw a circle freehand?
My dog hurt its paw on some broken glass.
There was a flaw in the argument.
I saw a good film last night.
Tim
How did you do? Well done. If you want to read more about this topic, please visit our
website bbclearningenglish.com. That's it from the pronunciation workshop for this week.
Bye.
Now, do you want a war or what? Ow!

Linking /j/
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Are you a creature of habit? For example,
do you have a routine in the mornings? Every morning, I like to have a cup of tea and a
chocolate biscuit. Mmmm. This is what some people in London told us when we asked
them what they do in the mornings
Voxpops
I always have some breakfast.
I always go to the gym in the morning.
I always drink a glass of warm water when I wake up.
Tim
One thing that happens when we speak English fluently is that we sometimes add sounds
between words to help link them together more smoothly and easily. Listen again. Can you
hear another sound between the words I and always?
Voxpops
I always have some breakfast.
I always go to the gym in the morning.
I always drink a glass of warm water when I wake up.
Tim
Did you catch it? It’s hardly there but when one word ends in /aɪ/, /ɪː/, /eɪ/ or/ɔɪ/ sound, and
the next word begins in a vowel sound, we can smooth the link out by adding a small /j/
sound. I always [slowly] becomes I always [fluently]. This is sometimes called the linking
/j/. But be careful, your mouth normally does this naturally as your mouth changes shape
between the sounds. You don’t actually want to add a full /j/ sound. Here are some more
examples.
Examples
When I go on holiday I just want to lie on the beach.
The end of the film was brilliant.
I ate the whole cake in one go.
It was too high up for me to reach.

Tim
Right, now you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill: listen and
repeat.
Examples
When I go on holiday I just want to lie on the beach.
The end of the film was brilliant.
I ate the whole cake in one go.
It was too high up for me to reach.
Tim
for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Right, now I've been looking forward to this
biscuit. Actually, do you want to see a magic trick? Now you see it, now you don't. What?
It's a magic trick – magic!

Linking 'r'
Tim
Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here I'm going to show you how
English is really spoken. It'll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker.
Come on, let's go inside.
Today, we're going to be talking about war. War… what is it good for? Well, as it turns
out, it can be used to help illustrate a feature of fluent speech. As you can see, we write
'war' with three letters: w, a, and r, but when we pronounce it there are only two sounds:
/w/ /ɔː/. The 'r' in the spelling is not pronounced in the word itself, or if the next word
begins with a consonant sound. But, have a listen to this. We went out and asked people in
the streets of London to name a famous Russian book. This is what they said:
Voxpops
Err, the most famous Russian book I can think of is War and Peace.
War and Peace.
War and Peace.
War and Peace.
Tim
Simple, right? Everybody knows War and Peace.
Voxpop
I've never heard of the book War and Peace.
Tim
Well, almost everybody. But have another listen to the way they say it.
Voxpops
War and Peace.
War and Peace.
War and Peace.
War and Peace.

Tim
The word after 'war' begins with a vowel sound. And in this case, the 'r' is pronounced.
War and Peace; War and Peace. This is called a 'linking r' and it helps to make the words
flow together more smoothly in natural speech. Here are some more examples:
Examples
You know, I really like my mother-in-law.
Have you been to the Tower of London?
You've got something in your eye.
Never again!
Tim
So, you've heard the examples, now it's your turn. Are you ready to give it a try? Listen and
repeat.
Examples
You know, I really like my mother-in-law.
Have you been to the Tower of London?
You've got something in your eye.
Never again!
Tim
How did you get on? Great. Remember, if you want to read more about this topic, please
visit our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that's everything from the pronunciation
workshop this week. Now, I'm off to do some DIY. Bye.
Can somebody call for an ambulance? Please!

Linking /w/
Tim
let's go inside. When we speak English fluently we sometimes add extra sounds in between
the words to help them link together. Now, have a look at my feet. What's wrong with this?
Let's ask the people of London:
Voxpops
The shoe is on the other foot.
The shoe is on the wrong foot.
Tim
'Shoe' ends in the sound /u:/ and 'is' begins with the sound / ɪ /. But can you hear another
sound linking them together? Have another listen:
Voxpops
The shoe is on the other foot.
Tim
When one word ends in an /u:/ sound and the next begins in a vowel sound we can just
about hear another sound in between. This sound is a bit like /w/. So 'The shoe is…'
becomes 'The shoewis…' This is called the linking /w/ - but it's important to remember that
it's not a full /w/ sound. It happens because the mouth moves from an /u:/ sound to a vowel
sound and on the way passes through the /w/ mouth shape. Here are some more examples:
Examples
When do I have to be there?
I haven't got a clue at all.
That glue is really strong.
I really can't do it.
Tim's Pronunciation Workshop ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim
So, you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready? Listen and repeat.
Examples
When do I have to be there?
I haven't got a clue at all.
That glue is really strong.
I really can't do it.
Tim
Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, please visit our
website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that's about it from the pronunciation workshop this
week. See you soon. Bye. Now I really must get my other shoe on otherwise I'm going to
have an accident. Aaah! Too late.

Been
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Today, I'm going to use two things to help
me demonstrate a feature of English pronunciation. This is a bin and this is a bean. What's
the connection? Well, I'm sure you know the past participle of the verb to be – been, right?
Well, we asked some people how long they had been in London.
Voxpops
I've been in London seventeen years.
I have been in London seven years.
I've been in London for more than a year now.
I've been in London every summer since I was eighteen.
Tim
Now, they all used the word been – but nobody actually said been. Listen again. What word
do you actually hear them say?
Voxpops
I've been in London seventeen years.
I have been in London seven years.
I've been in London for more than a year now.
I've been in London every summer since I was eighteen.
Tim
In fluent everyday English, when the auxiliary been is not stressed its pronunciation changes
to /bɪn/. I've been in London since 2015 becomes I've /bɪn/ in London since 2015. This is
what's known as a weak form and it helps speech to flow more naturally and fluently. Here
are some more examples.
Examples
I've been working here for several years.
How long have you been waiting?
It's been years since I went to the cinema.
What have you been up to since we last met?
Tim
So you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill: listen and repeat.

Examples
I've been working here for several years.
How long have you been waiting?
It's been years since I went to the cinema.
What have you been up to since we last met?
Tim
for now. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, what to do with this old bean… of course, put it
in the bin. Oww! I should've been more careful… again.

Pronouncing 'can'
Tim
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here, I'm going to show you how
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. You see this? This is my lunch - well,
either that, or it's some cat food. Anyway, do you know what we call this container? It's a
can, right? Now this has the same spelling as the modal 'can', and the same pronunciation,
hasn't it? Or has it? Listen carefully when we ask some people in London how many
languages they speak.
Voxpops
I can speak one language.
I can speak two languages.
I can speak two languages, English and Hindi.
Tim
They all used the word 'can'. But they didn't pronounce it as /kæn/. Listen again. How do
they pronounce it?
Voxpops
I can speak one language.
I can speak two languages, English and Hindi.
Tim
In fluent everyday English, when the modal auxiliary 'can' is unstressed, its pronunciation
changes to /kən/. 'I /kæn/ speak four languages' becomes: 'I /kən/ speak four languages'. This
is what's known as a weak form and it can occur in questions as well. Here are some more
examples.
Examples
Can you help me bring in the shopping, please?
I can swim further than I can run.
You can succeed if you work hard.
How far can you throw a tennis ball?

Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready? Listen and
repeat.
Examples
Can you help me bring in the shopping, please?
I can swim further than I can run.
You can succeed if you work hard.
How far can you throw a tennis ball?
Tim
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Right, now, time for lunch I think! Ahh.
Do you think I can open this can, without a can opener? Hey. Oh no – it is cat food. Never
mind, we can eat cat food, can't we? You know what? That is not bad. Salmon? Rabbit?
Mouse?

Catenation
Tim
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation Workshop. Here, I'm going to show you how
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Today, I'm going to tell you about perhaps
the most common feature of fluent English pronunciation. And to help me, I’m going to use
one of these. Now, I know you know what it is, but let's ask the people of London to
describe it.
Voxpops
He's holding an egg.
Tim
An egg – that's two words, right? But, when we pronounce them, there's no gap in between
them. It almost sounds like one word. Listen again.
Voxpops
Tim
In fluent English, when one word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins in a
vowel sound, we link the two sounds together without a pause in between them. So, an
egg becomes anegg. This is called catenation. Here are some more examples.
Examples
He’s in the garden.
I used to believe in Father Christmas, but not any more.
I had to give up jogging.
He had it in his office.
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples: you know the drill. Listen and repeat.

Examples
He’s in the garden.
I used to believe in Father Christmas, but not any more.
I had to give up jogging.
He had it in his office.
Tim
Great work. Remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit
our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the Pronunciation
Workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye! Now I think I’m going to have this egg, for my
lunch. It is a hard-boiled egg, isn't it?
Voice
Oh yes Tim, yes, yes, it's definitely a hard-boiled egg.
Tim
Great, looks good, Oh no no no no no! Ohhh, what a mess! Very funny.

/d/ to /g/ assimilation
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. In English, we have an expression – man’s
best friend. Do you know what this refers to? No, not beer. Dogs. A dog is man’s best
friend. But not always. What would you say to a dog who did this?
Voxpops
Bad girl!
She's a bad girl!
The dog has been a bad girl!
Tim
Now, the word bad ends in the sound /d/, doesn’t it? Or does it? Watch and listen again.
Can you hear the /d/?
Voxpops
Bad girl!
She's a bad girl!
The dog has been a bad girl!
Tim
In fluent speech, a /d/ changes to a /g/ when it comes before /g/ or /k/. So 'bad girl' becomes
'bagirl'. This is an example of assimilation. Here are some more examples.
Examples
He’s a really good cook.
Last night we had guests for dinner.
Can you print out a hard copy?
I’d love to walk down the red carpet one day.
Tim
Right, so you’ve heard some examples, now it’s your turn. You know the drill: Listen and
repeat.

Examples
He’s a really good cook.
Last night we had guests for dinner.
Can you print out a hard copy?
I’d love to walk down the red carpet one day.
Tim
visit our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the pronunciation
workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye! Now, you know what? I’m not really that keen on
dogs, I’m more of a cat person. Oh no, no, no that was just a joke - good girl, good girl,
aaah! Oh, very funny. You're actually quite cute. Who's a good girl? Who's a good girl? Argh!
Bad girl!

From
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Where were you born? Where do you
come from? Here's what we heard when we asked some people in London their names, and
where they come from.
Voxpops
My name's Charlotte, and I'm from Darwin in Lancashire.
My name's Ollie, and I'm from Norfolk.
I'm Amy from London.
Allie, I'm from Northern Ireland.
My name's Victoria. I'm from Cambridge.
Tim
Now they all used the word from, didn't they - but they didn't pronounce it /frɒm/. Listen
again: how is it pronounced?
Voxpops
My name's Charlotte, and I'm from Darwin in Lancashire.
My name's Ollie, and I'm from Norfolk.
I'm Amy from London.
Allie, I'm from Northern Ireland.
My name's Victoria - I'm from Cambridge.
Tim
The word from is a preposition; it's usually not that important in a sentence, so it's often
unstressed. Now, at the end of the question, "Where do you come from?" It's unstressed,
but it is still pronounced /frɒm/. However, when it's unstressed, and it comes in the middle
of a sentence, the /ɒ/ changes to schwa, so /frɒm/ becomes /frəm/. This is an example of a
weak form, and here are some more examples.
Examples
I borrowed it from my brother.
I read the book from cover to cover.
The nearest post office is not far from here.
Come over any time from seven o'clock.

Tim
Right, now you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill by now:
listen and repeat.
Examples
I borrowed it from my brother.
I read the book from cover to cover.
The nearest post office is not far from here.
Come over any time from seven o'clock.
Tim
for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye!

Have to
Tim
English is really spoken. It'll help you to become a better listener and a more fluent speaker.
Are you ready? Come on, follow me.
Now, are you an early bird? Do you catch the worm? Do you even have the faintest idea
what I’m talking about? Well, in English, an early bird is someone who gets up early in the
morning. Now I hate waking up early, but because of my job sometimes I have to get up
before 11 o'clock in the morning. I know - that's terrible, but I do it, just for you. Let’s find
out about some other Londoners.
Voxpops
I have to get up in the morning at six a.m.
I have to get up at half past six every morning.
I have to get up in the morning at 6.45.
I have to get up at 8 o'clock.
I have to get up at 5 or 6 o'clock.
I have to get up at half six.
Tim
The word ‘have’ ends in the sound /v/, doesn’t it - or does it? Listen again: what sound can
you actually hear? Also, pay attention to the pronunciation of the word ‘to’.
Voxpops
I have to get up in the morning at six a.m.
I have to get up at half past six every morning.
I have to get up in the morning at 6.45.
I have to get up at 8 o'clock.
I have to get up at 5 or 6 o'clock.
I have to get up at half six.
Tim
When we use the verb ‘have’ in its modal form: ‘have to’ meaning an obligation, the /v/ at
the end of the word changes to an /f/. Also the vowel sound in the word ‘to’ changes to a
schwa - /ə/. ‘Have to’ becomes /haeftə/. Here are some more examples.

Examples
They have to be there by 10.
We have to find another flat.
You have to tell me the gossip.
I always have to take the train.
Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. Are you ready to start? Listen
and repeat.
Examples
They have to be there by 10.
We have to find another flat.
You have to tell me the gossip.
I always have to take the train.
Tim
visit our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the workshop for this
week: I'll see you soon. Bye bye. Right, now as I got up at the crack of 11.00 in the morning,
I’m exhausted – I have to grab 40 winks before the next shoot. Night night. Ah, that's
good...

Plosives
Tim
English is really spoken. Are you ready? Come on, let's go inside. Wow. Isn't the world an
amazing place? Look how many countries there are! Well – at least ten! Do you like
travelling? How many countries have you visited? Now, is there any particular place, or
country, that you'd like to visit? This is what the people of London told us when we asked
them that same question.
Voxpops
I'd like to visit Iceland.
I'd like to visit South America.
I'd like to visit Spain and Greece.
I'd love to go to Egypt.
Tim
The contraction 'I'd' ends in the sound /d/, doesn’t it. Or does it? Listen again - can you fully
hear the /d/?
Voxpops
I'd like to visit Iceland.
I'd like to visit South America.
I'd like to visit Spain and Greece.
I'd love to go to Egypt.
Tim
We make English sounds in different ways, using different parts of our mouths. There's a
group of consonants called plosives, and if this sounds a bit like the word 'explosion', well,
that's not a bad way of remembering it. Plosive sounds are made by suddenly releasing air
that has been blocked by various parts of the mouth. The sound /d/ is one of these plosives.
The others are /b/, /t/, /p/, /k/ and /g/. But in fluent, everyday speech, when one word ends
in a plosive sound and the next begins in another consonant sound, we don’t always hear
the release of the plosive sound. So 'I'd like to', becomes 'Idliketuh'. This is called 'an
unreleased stop', or, if you want to get really technical, 'a stop with no audible release'.

Examples
How about a quick chat?
You should thank her.
It was a sad time in his life.
Why don't you sit down?
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill by now:
listen and repeat.
Examples
How about a quick chat?
You should thank her.
It was a sad time in his life.
Why don't you sit down?
Tim
visit our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the pronunciation
workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, if you were to ask me where I'd like to
visit next… well – anywhere! I just love travelling. Now let's see if we can find my next
destination. Oww! I hurt my finger… again!

Schwa
Tim
is really spoken. It'll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker. Ready?
Come on, follow me.
Now, there's an idiom in the English language that means that something is really easy. Any
idea what it is? Well, here's a clue.
Do you know now? Let's ask the people of London:
Voxpops
It's a piece of cake
Tim
A piece of cake – an expression that means that something is really easy to do, as well as
meaning – a piece of cake.
But listen again to the words 'a' and 'of'. They are actually pronounced the same. What is
the sound and are those words stressed?
Voxpops
Tim
The words 'a' and 'of' are both pronounced as /ə/ and they're not stressed.
This sound /ə/ is the most common sound in the whole English language. It's so common
that it even has its own name – schwa.
Now, it can be difficult to hear the schwa because it is never stressed. However, it's a
vowel sound that's used in many grammar words like articles and prepositions.

Examples
I like a cup of tea in the morning.
Could you get a packet of biscuits?
Can you give it to me?
I had an apple for lunch today.
Tim
So, you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Are you ready to start? Listen and
repeat.
Examples
I like a cup of tea in the morning.
Could you get me a packet of biscuits?
Can you give it to me?
I had an apple for lunch today.
Tim
Great work. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation then please
visit our website:
You can find more about this topic on our website, bbclearningenglish.com.
That's about it from the pronunciation workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye bye.
Now, I've got a cup of tea and I've got a biscuit, I'm looking forward to a piece of cake.
That was a mistake, but a tasty one.

The
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. You know, I’ve been thinking about
decorating my workshop – bringing a little bit of colour to it. But I can’t decide between
blue or orange. Hmm. Let’s ask the people of London.
Voxpops
I prefer the blue one to the orange one.
Tim
That sounds pretty comprehensive. Blue it is. I'll go in and get the paints. Ooh, but first, let’s
talk about pronunciation. Now, everyone used the definite article – the – and in each case
it wasn’t stressed, but the pronunciation was slightly different. I'm going to go in and get the
paints: you listen again and see if you can hear the two different ways the definite article is
pronounced. I'll see you inside.
Voxpops
Tim
If it’s not stressed, the pronunciation of the word the will change depending on the word
that follows. If the next word begins in a consonant sound, it’s pronounced /ðə/. I prefer
the blue one. But, if the next word begins in a vowel sound, it’s pronounced /ðɪː/. I prefer
the orange one. And you might remember from a previous video that when the sound /ɪː/
is followed by a vowel sound, you might also hear a small linking /j/ in between. I prefer the
orange one. Here are some more examples.

Examples
In a restaurant, I always order the apple pie.
I think the autumn is the best time of year.
The earlier I get up, the happier I am.
It’s the one over there.
Tim
So you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Listen and repeat.
Examples
In a restaurant, I always order the apple pie.
I think the autumn is the best time of year.
The earlier I get up, the happier I am.
It’s the one over there.
Tim
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Right – let's get cracking on this painting.
Now, you know the problem with these paint pots is that the lids aren't always the easiest
to open. Ahh! Owww! Eeeshh! Not again!

Was & were
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Oh dear, excuse me. I’m a bit tired: I was
out late last night, with the lads. I know, yeah, we didn't get back until 9.30. In the evening. It
was a wild night. I know, I know, I am a party animal. Anyway, while I get myself together a
bit, let's ask some other people in London what they got up to last night.
Voxpops
At 9 o'clock last night I was watching a movie.
I was laying in bed.
I was invited to a dinner at my friend's house.
I was playing football.
I was out drinking.
Tim
Well well, what interesting lives we all lead. Now they all used the past form of the verb
'to be' – was. Now the word was is made of the sounds /w/, /ɔ/, / z/, isn’t it? Or is it? Listen
again. What sound can you actually hear?
Voxpops
At 9 o'clock last night I was watching a movie.
I was laying in bed.
I was invited to a dinner at my friend's house.
I was playing football.
I was out drinking.
Tim
When the word was is unstressed, as in the examples we’ve just heard, then the vowel
sound changes to a schwa - /ə
ə/. So was becomes /wə
əz/, and also were becomes /wə ə/. These
are called weak forms. Here are some more examples.
Examples
I was there when it happened.
We were delighted with the results.
We were having a good time until it rained.
He was feeling much better last night.

Tim
Right, now you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Listen and repeat.
Examples
I was there when it happened.
We were delighted with the results.
We were having a good time until it rained.
He was feeling much better last night.
Tim
our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the Pronunciation
Workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now… oh look! Hey, you know what this
is? This is WAS backwards. Get it? WAS backwards… it's a SAW. Now, I know what you
were thinking. You were thinking that I was going to have some terrible accident. Well
don’t worry – it’s not even switched on – look! Wooahhhhh!!!

Contracted have
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Phew, just made it. A little bit late today.
My alarm didn’t go off this morning, so, I nearly missed the bus.
Voice
Er. Tim, why do you need a bus to get to the shed at the end of your garden?
Tim
Well, you know it’s a really big garden.
Voice
Really?
Tim
OK, fine. Look, I’ll let you in to a little secret. This actually isn’t my workshop. I’ve been
borrowing it from a friend. Anyway I nearly missed the bus, but I didn’t. So, let’s ask some
people in London what they would do if their alarms hadn’t gone off this morning.
Voxpops
If my alarm hadn’t gone off this morning, I’d’ve missed the bus.
I’d’ve stayed home.
I’d’ve woken up anyway.
I’d’ve been late for work.
I’d’ve missed the train.
I’d’ve stayed in bed.
Tim
In an earlier video we saw that the verb ‘have’ is pronounced as /hæf/ when it’s used in its
modal form. But this isn’t the only way the pronunciation of ‘have’ can change. Watch and
listen again. Can you hear how they pronounce it differently?
Voxpops
If my alarm hadn’t gone off this morning, I’d’ve missed the bus.
I’d’ve stayed home.
I’d’ve woken up anyway.

I’d’ve been late for work.
I’d’ve missed the train.
I’d’ve stayed in bed.
Tim
When the verb ‘have’ is used as an auxiliary it’s often contracted. And when it comes after a
consonant sound it’s pronounced /əv/. So, ‘I’d have been late’ becomes ‘I’d’ve been late’.
This pronunciation is very common in conditional sentences, but it’s not the only time you’ll
hear it. Here are some more examples.
Examples
Your parcel should’ve been delivered yesterday.
I would’ve done it differently.
We might’ve made a mistake.
The police’ve arrived.
Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples, and now it’s your turn. Listen and repeat.
Examples
Your parcel should’ve been delivered yesterday.
I would’ve done it differently.
We might’ve made a mistake.
The police’ve arrived.
Tim
workshop for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! OK, now how does this alarm work? I
guess I should’ve read the instructions! That was really loud!

And
Tim
English is really spoken. Come on, let's go inside. Hey, look at this: a present. All wrapped
up in paper. Now, do you know what this is? Well, if you could smell it, it might give you a
clue.
Voice
Is it your old socks?
Tim
Very funny – No. No, it's not my old socks. It's something much, much nicer. Something
delicious in fact. Let's ask the people of London if they can tell what it is, without seeing it.
Voxpops
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Tim
Yes, that's right. It's good old fish and chips. I'm going to save that for later. Now the word
and has got three sounds, hasn't it? /æ/, /n/, /d/ - but listen again. How is it pronounced in
everyday speech?
Voxpops
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.
Fish and chips.

Tim
And is not usually an important word. It’s a basic conjunction and it's frequently unstressed.
When this happens, the /d/ at the end of the word disappears before both vowels and
consonants, and the vowel sound at the beginning of the word changes to schwa: /ə/, so and
becomes /ən/ or even /n/ as the sounds are almost identical. Here are some more
examples.
Examples
I'm going to go and get the shopping.
Apples and oranges are my favourite fruits.
I’ve been thinking and thinking but I can't decide.
We went for a coffee and something to eat.
Tim
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill. Listen and
repeat.
Examples
I'm going to go and get the shopping.
Apples and oranges are my favourite fruits.
I’ve been thinking and thinking but I can't decide.
We went for a coffee and something to eat.
Tim
our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the workshop for now.
I'll see you next week. Bye! Now, there's only one thing to eat with fish 'n' chips – and that's
salt ‘n’ vinegar. This reminds me of one of my favourite jokes: What do angry sharks eat?
Fish ‘n’ ships. Get it? Fish ‘n’ ships! Oh, I don't know why I bother. Ok, now, time to eat.
What? What is this? What is going on? Where's the…? It really is fish… and ships! Well
that is the last time I'm telling that joke. This is no laughing matter. I'm hungry now…


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BBC LEARNING ENGLISH

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

That's pretty crazy, right! So, what is going on?

Well, first the /d/ disappears in between two consonants.

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Green Park, becomes Greem Park.

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2017

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim and Tom

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Now, do you want a war or what? Ow!

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Can somebody call for an ambulance? Please!

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Do you know now? Let's ask the people of London:

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

That was a mistake, but a tasty one.

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016

Tim's Pronunciation Workshop © British Broadcasting Corporation 2016