Linking Vowels Within a Word

When an individual word contains two vowel sounds together, we also add a little y or w sound. We don’t say “die it” we say “die + yet.”

Word Pairs for Practice

Practice Dialogue

This exercise and those that follow will help you practice linking. Remember to place the most stress on the key word, usually a noun or a verb. For longer sentences place the most stress on the focus word of each thought group.

In the Department Store

a. Can _ I help you?
b. I’m looking for _ a pair _ of sunglasses.
a. The sunglasses _ are _ on the other side of the make up counter.
b. Oh these _ are nice. Can _ I try them _ on?
a. The mirror _ is _ over here.
b. How much _ are these?
a. They’re _ on sale for one hundred and eighty dollars.
b. That’s _ a lot _ of money. I don’t think _ I can _ afford that.
a. The style _ is _ amazing. We’re _ almost _ all sold _ out.
a. Do you have _ any that _ are cheaper?
b. No, I am _ afraid _ I don’t. Is there _ anything _ else _ I can help you find?
a. As _ a matter _ of fact, yes. Help me find _ a rich husband!

More Practice Dialogues

Notice how two same or similar consonants blend into one to link words more smoothly. The final stops are not released.

1. a. I believe _ Veronica speaks _ Spanish.
   b. Of course _ she does. She’s from _ Mexico.
   a. That makes _ sense.
2. a. When’s the big _ game?
   b. Either this _ Saturday or this _ Sunday.
   a. Do you think they’ll _ lose?
   b. I hope not.
3. a. Keep _ practicing.
   b. You’re _ right, I need _ to.
4. a. You’ll _ love it.
   b. I suppose _ so.
5. a. It was a fun _ night but I need _ to go.
   b. Let’s _ stay a little _ longer.
   a. You stay, I’ll _ leave with _ them.
   b. Okay then, I’ll _ leave too.

Practice Paragraph

This passage provides practice in linking vowel to vowel, consonant to vowel, and consonant to consonant. The focus words are in bold letters. The thought groups are divided by a slash.

My American Accent

I’ve been practicing the ^yAmerican _ accent // for _ a while now. At first, // it was kind _ of hard // to keep track _ of _ all the rules _ and _ exceptions. I had no _ ^widea // there was _ so much to learn. I’ve been practicing // with the _ ^yaudio materials. // It’s _ somewhat _ easier // to pronounce _ some _ of the sounds // but _ it’s difficult to know // how _ ^wI sound _ to _ ^wothers. I think I’m getting better. One _ of the hardest _ things for me // is to stress _ some syllables // and to reduce _ certain _ others. When _ I ^yask my friends // how _ ^wI sound, they _ ^yall say // they hear _ a difference _ in my speech. My boss _ said // that _ I am _ making progress // and that _ I sound // more _ and more like _ a native speaker. My clients _ are not _ asking me // to repeat myself _ as much. It makes _ it _ all worthwhile. I won’t stop _ practicing.