Back to: From New Jersey to Alaska
When we speak in a normal, relaxed way, we often don't pronounce -t or -d clearly at the end of a word – especially when the next sound is a consonant. After you listen to these examples, try the mini-dictation exercises below.
In these first examples, listen for how -t is dropped before /w/ in "it was" and before /s/ in "August second."
but i(t) was... but i(t) was... but it was pretty close
i(t) was ... i(t) was ... it was August second
i(t) was ... i(t) was ... it was August second
Sometimes you won't hear the -d/-ed ending for the past tense.
ask(ed) me... ask(ed) me... he asked me, "What's in the box?"
notice(d) that... notice(d) that... I noticed that there were a bunch of people...
notice(d) that... notice(d) that... I noticed that there were a bunch of people...
The /t/ may be replaced by a little catch in the throat (a "glottal stop"):
I(t) was ... I(t) was... It was really windy
kids tha(t) were ... kids tha(t) were ... kids that were coming back from church camp
kids tha(t) were ... kids tha(t) were ... kids that were coming back from church camp
Mini-dictation
Think about where there might be a -t or -d that isn't pronounced clearly! You'll hear each example three times.
Answer
When I first came up to Alaska...
Answer
It was a pretty good first night.
Answer
It was a really good experience.
Answer
So Frank very kindly helped me load everything into my apartment