The Three Consonant Rule

The Three Consonant Rule

The three consonant rule

The three consonant rule

When a word ends with three consonant sounds, native speakers will drop the middle sound. This makes these words easier to pronounce.

A. Examples:

  1. asks                  ass
  2. asked                ast
  3. tasks                 tass
  4. facts                  faks
  5. lists                   liss
  6. scripts              scips
  7. months            monts
  8. strengths         strenkz
  9. fifths                 fifs
  10. sixths               siks

B. This can also occur between words

  1. perfect condition          perfkəndition
  2. product marketing      produkmarkəding
  3. strict believer               strikbəliever
  4. best request                  besrəques’
  5. best quality                   besqualədy
  6. expert presenter          experprəzenner

C. Sentences for practice

  1. He asks for advice.
  2. He asked me for advice.
  3. I have a lot of tasks today.
  4. I have lots of tasks to complete today.
  5. She tasked me with that assignment.
  6. Here’s the facts.
  7. What are the facts?
  8. I have two lists.
  9. I have two lists of tasks.
  10. The doctor gave me two scripts.
  11. Use two fifths of a cup.
  12. Divide that into sixths.
  13. That car is in perfect condition.
  14. She’s an expert at product marketing.
  15. What are your strengths?
  16. I’ve been in the US for six months.
  17. We have the best quality service.
  18. You’re an expert presenter!

Listen here

In many situations, over-pronouncing consonant sounds will make your speech sound choppy and abrupt.

Remember to reach for the vowel sounds in stressed syllables. Don’t spend too much time on these groups of consonants.

About the author

Susan Ryan is an accent reduction coach. Contact her with your questions about clear American speech.