People often ask me, “Why does the ‘t’ sound different in the middle of American English words?”
Here is the answer…
In American English a ‘t’ in the middle of a word often sounds more like a quick /d/. This quick /d/ sound is called a tapped t and it occurs frequently in spoken American English.
To make the tapped t sound, let your tongue lightly tap against the gum ridge behind your teeth. Do not release a puff of air when you make this sound.
The tapped t sound occurs in the following situations.
- Before “er” or “or” as in the words: later, better & water.
- Before “ing” & “ed” as in the words: shouting & shouted.
- Before unstressed vowel sounds as in the words: city & thirty.
- When linking words in phrases such as: cut it out or put it on.
Your ability to use the tapped t sound will make your accent sound more American.
Tags: American T Sound, tapped t
