Category: Uncategorized
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500 Common Words: T before N = Hard N as in Certain
When T comes before N and it is in the middle of a word, there is a stopped T and a strong N, as in certainly, fountain, threaten, and acquaintance. A stopped T is when the tongue goes to the T position but only stops the sound. A stopped T in the middle of the word sounds like a small…
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500 Common Words: T after N = Silent as in Center
When T is in the middle of a word, and it comes just after N, it can be silent, as in internet, interview, enterprise, or elemental. This rule also applies when words that end in nt gain an -ed or -ing ending as in wanted, pointed, and accounting. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words center = (cenr), interview = (inerview), interstate = (inerstate),…
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500 Common words:T = D between Vowel Sounds, as in Water
This is the most important T sound rule. When T comes between two vowel sounds and is not stressed, the T becomes a D sound. This happens in many words, such as water, strategy, and data. This rule also works in phrases with T as the last letter, yet between vowel sounds, as in what if, put off, or at all. There are…
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500 Common Words: T as in Table
T in “Table” Use a regular T sound when T is the first letter as in table, test, and tell. Use a regular T sound when T is next to a consonant, as in st, ct and pt. Examples are stop, last, act, select, accept, and apt. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words act, after, against, best, contain, correct,…
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500 Common Words: A as in am
When the short A sound is next to N or M, it changes slightly. It sounds more like a Long A moving to Schwa. This slight twang comes from the Southern dialect but has become standardized through mass media. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words am, an, and, animal, answer,…
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500 Common Words: I as in Sit
This sound is very close to the simple u-in-up. The tongue moves forward a little bit, and the mouth has the slightest tension. It is helpful to think of a low pitch. This makes the Short I distinct from the Long E (in many languages, and I spelling indicates a Long E sound). The Short I…
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500 Common Words: A as in Cat
Create this sound by opening your jaw a lot and putting your lips wide apart (similar to a clown face). Your throat will be a little tight. This is not the most attractive sound of standard American, but it is important. As a short vowel, it will have simple spellings–no silent letters nearby. Use the…
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500 Common Words: O as in Hot
For the O, as in Hot, Create this sound by opening your jaw and keeping your lips relaxed. In many languages, this sound is spelled with an A. It is the same as the Open A sound in father. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words body, brought, common, cross, dog,…
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500 Common Words: E as in Met
To make this sound, keep your mouth relaxed, but drop the jaw a little bit and put your lips in a slightly square shape. This sound is short and quick. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words again, any, bed, been, best, better, center, develop, end, ever, every, example, friend, get,…
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500 Common Words: A as in All
The A as in All is performed with an open your jaw and keep your lips relaxed. In standard American English, this sound is the same as the short O in hot. Common spellings are al, ar, au, aw, and wa. Use the video to listen and repeat common words. The Words all, also, always, are, call, car, cause,…
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