Final Consonant to Initial Vowel: Speak More Smoothly and Clearly
Why This Connection Matters
Clear speech isn’t about speaking slowly or perfectly. It’s about how your words connect.
When a word ends with a consonant and the next word begins with a vowel, English speakers naturally connect the sounds.
When this connection is missing, speech can sound choppy, effortful, or harder to understand, especially under pressure.
This matters in:
patient explanations
team handoffs
briefings
radio communication
Connection Rule #2: Final Consonant → Initial Vowel
What to do:
When a word ends with a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound, connect them so they sound like one word.
The consonant will feel like it moves to the beginning of the next word.
Examples:
Take off → Taykoff
Sit up → Siddup
Come in → Cummin
Turn on → TurNon
Hold it → HoleDit
Pick up → PiKup
Speak up → SpeeKup
Log in → LoGin
Walk in → WalKin
Plug it in → PluGITin
Read it out → ReeDITout
Drop it off → DroPIToff
Put it on → PuuDITon
Send it over → SenDITover
Check it again → CheKITagain
Grab a seat → GraBUHseat
Try saying them slowly first, then slightly faster.
Smoothness—not speed—is the goal.
Practice Exercise
Choose one sentence:
“Please sit up straight.” → “Please SIDDUP straight.”
“We’ll take off shortly.” → “We’ll TAYKOFF shortly.”
Say it aloud, connecting the consonant to the vowel.
Record yourself and listen for smoothness.
Practice a few different sentences that you say frequently, daily.
Why This Helps Professionals
This connection:
reduces repetition
improves fluency
matches a native English speaker’s rhythm and timing
lowers cognitive load while speaking
helps listeners understand you the first time
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