Elision & Assimilation (Dropped & Changed Sounds)

Advanced · Connected Speech

In fast speech, sounds are not only linked — some disappear (elision) and others change to blend with their neighbours (assimilation). This is why "next day" sounds like "neks day" and "handbag" sounds like "hambag".

You do not have to force these, but understanding them is the key to decoding rapid native speech, and using a few makes you sound smoother.

Two processes

ELISION = a sound disappears ("next day" → "neks day"). ASSIMILATION = a sound changes to match the next ("ten pounds" → "tem pounds").

Rules & examples

1. Elision: /t/ and /d/ often drop between consonants.

   The tongue skips the awkward middle sound.

   • next day → "neks day"
   • friendship → "frenship"
   • must be → "mus be"
2. Assimilation: a sound shifts to match the following sound.

   The mouth prepares early for the next sound.

   • ten pounds → "tem pounds"
   • good boy → "gubboy"
   • this year → "thishyear"
3. "going to" and "want to" reduce in casual speech.

   These are so common they have famous reduced spellings.

   • going to → gonna
   • want to → wanna
   • got to → gotta

Tips to remember

• Use "gonna/wanna/gotta" in casual SPEECH only — never write them in formal English.
• Focus first on understanding these when you hear them; producing them will come naturally with practice.