R Before a Consonant

Mastering the American Accent » R Before a Consonant

R Before a Consonant

The r before a consonant is always pronounced in American English, but generally not pronounced in British English. Americans say: “morning,” “first,” “modern.” In British English, these words are pronounced as: “moning,” “fist,” and “moden.”

Word Pairs for Practice

important information
first person
hard to understand
Northern California
early in the morning
survive divorce
learn German
undergoing surgery
thirty percent
modern furniture
March bargain
perfect performance

Practice Sentences

I spent part of Thursday learning the new computer software.
I heard it was a four hour performance.
He won a journalism award for his report on Pearl Harbor.
Please inform the board about the formal procedure.
The terrible storm started yesterday morning.
Normally he works in New York.
George went to a formal party with his girlfriend.
Mark is determined to learn German.
I heard that the alternative procedure was better.
For your information, they’re not divorced.

Story for Practice

Surprise Birthday Party

On Saturday afternoon at four, we’re having a surprise birthday party for our daughter Rachel. She’ll turn thirteen. Her cousins Charles and Barbara will arrive early to help prepare. We’ll take pictures, play cards and some board games. We’ve ordered a birthday cake and her favorite dessert, strawberry ice cream. We’ve invited about thirty of her friends and told them to come over before four. We hope all her friends get here by four before Rachel returns from the park. When they’re all here, we’ll call Mark to bring her over. When they open the front door the lights will be turned off. Her thirty friends will be waiting nervously in the other room. We hope it works out and that Rachel will be really surprised.

Advice from a Successful Student

“I have collected a list of words that are difficult for me to pronounce. I make up sentences from these words and I practice saying them over and over.”

Miroslav Nikolic, Serbia

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