Linking in English Sentences
English isn’t spoken word by word. In a sentence, words run into each other – and that’s what makes English sound smooth and natural.
Bindung im Satz: Im Englischen werden Wörter im Satz miteinander verbunden – ohne Knacklaut.
- 13 everyday phrases
- “Find the links” exercise
- Where not to link
- 8-question quiz
1 Why Practise Linking in Sentences?
You can pronounce every word perfectly and still sound “choppy”. The reason is usually the gaps between the words. German speakers often start every word that begins with a vowel with a tiny stop in the throat – the Knacklaut (glottal stop). In German that’s correct: ein | Apfel. In English it breaks the flow.
I’m | in | an | office | all day.
ai‿mi‿nə‿NO‿fi‿sawl DAY
2 The Four Links at a Glance
Here is a quick overview. The Linking Sounds page explains each one in detail.
| Link | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Consonant → vowel | The consonant moves to the next word. | pick‿it‿up → pi‿ki‿TUP |
| Vowel → vowel | A small y /j/ or w /w/ glides in. | I‿yagree · go‿wout |
| Linking /r/ | A written r is heard before a vowel (British English). | far‿raway · more‿rof it |
| Same consonant | One sound, held slightly longer. | stop‿pushing · bad‿dog |
3 Everyday Phrases
Say each phrase, then open How it sounds to check. Capitals show the main stress. The spellings in the boxes are a guide to the sound, not phonetic symbols.
Consonant → vowel
The last consonant moves to the next word.
Turn‿it‿off.
How it sounds
tur‿ni‿TOFF
Pick‿it‿up.
How it sounds
pi‿ki‿TUP
Not‿at‿all.
How it sounds
no‿tə‿TAWL
Come‿on‿in.
How it sounds
cu‿mo‿NIN
Hold‿on‿a minute.
How it sounds
hol‿do‿nə MI-nit
What‿about‿it?
How it sounds
wo‿tə‿BAU‿tit
Vowel → vowel
A tiny /j/ (y) or /w/ glides in between.
Go‿away!
How it sounds
go‿wə‿WAY
Three‿eggs, please.
How it sounds
three‿yEGGS, please
Do‿it‿again.
How it sounds
DOO‿wi‿tə‿GEN
Linking /r/
In British English, a written r is only heard before a vowel.
Where‿is‿it?
How it sounds
WAIR‿ri‿zit
It's not far‿away.
How it sounds
its NOT fah‿rə‿WAY
Same consonant
Say the sound once and hold it slightly longer.
Stop‿pushing!
How it sounds
sto‿PUSH-ing
See you next‿time.
How it sounds
see you nek‿sTIME
4 Find the Links
Tap the gaps between words where you think the sounds link. Then press Check.
‿ correct link · ‿ link you missed · ✕ no link here
5 Where Not to Link
At a pause
Commas and full stops usually mark the end of a thought group. Pause there – don’t link.
When‿I‿arrived, | everyone was‿asleep.
When meaning could change
Linking can make phrases sound the same. If there’s a risk of confusion, separate them a little.
a nice man ≈ an ice man
a name ≈ an aim
Before a stressed /h/
In stressed words, keep the /h/: I HATE it. In weak him, her, his the /h/ often disappears in fast speech and the words link: tell‿him → TE‿lim.
Not the intrusive r
Many British speakers add an /r/ that isn’t written: law‿rand order, the idea‿rof it. You’ll hear it – but you don’t need to use it.
6 A 5-Step Practice Routine
- Mark the links. Write the sentence and draw ‿ wherever sounds connect.
- Build it from the end. off → it‿off → turn‿it‿off. Starting from the end keeps the rhythm and the final stress natural.
- Slow, but connected. Say it slowly without breaking the sound – like one long word.
- Normal speed. Keep the links and let the small words get weak (weak forms).
- Record and compare. Listen for any Knacklaut before a vowel – and remove it.
7 Quiz: Linking in Sentences
Choose the best answer. You’ll see the explanation straight away.
Practise a few phrases every day and linking soon becomes automatic.
Take the free pronunciation test →
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