When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into phrases called “thought groups”.
Within each thought group we emphasize the content words, giving special stress to the focus word. After the focus word we pause briefly before the next thought group begins.
Many non-native English speakers fail to use thought groups when they speak English. For many people this causes their speech too sound too fast for American listeners to understand.
There are no solid rules for dividing longer sentences into thought groups. It really depends on the idea that you are trying to convey.
Here is a great lesson on thought groups in American English from the Voice of America.
Tags: Accent Reduction Techniques, American English Pronunciation, content words, foreign accent reduction, thought groups, voice of america
