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How to Speak Casual English: NT + Vowel

Americans naturally take out the T when a common word that ends in NT is followed by a vowel. As you can see below, this frequently occurs with the words can't, don't and won't.

This corresponds with the rule of making T silent if it comes after N. Review other T sound rules. Review rules of casual speech. Review the chart, then practice with this conversation.



Written English     


Spoken English





He can't eat foods with wheat.
He can'eat foods with wheat.

I can't ask him for help again.
I can'ask'im for help again. *

I don't want to rent an appartment I can't afford.
I don't wunnu ren'an apartment I can'afford.**

He doesn't want an award.
He doesn't wan'an award.

I don't want anything to drink.
I don't wan'anything to drink.

Do you know when he plans to leave?
They won'offer you a good deal.

Please don't ask me that again.
Please don'ask me that again.

Don't ever do that again.
Don'ever do that again.

Why don't you plant apple trees.
You should plan'a tree in your yard.

He won't always be this way. When he's older, he'll be more responsible.
He won'always be this way. When'e's older, he'll be more responsible. *

She won't always support you. You need to make your own money.
She won'always suppor'choo. You need t'make your own money. ***

I can't answer your question, so I won't even try.

I can'answer your question, so I won'even try.
You can't always get what you want.
You can'always get wha'choo want. ***


Practice: Think of 5 things you can't or won't eat. Use the silent T while saying, "I can'eat __________."

* In this sentence, "him" can also be reduced. See reduced pronouns.
** In this sentence, "want to" can be reduced. See reducing want to, going to and more.
*** In this sentence, the T and Y rules also appleis.

Now practice with this conversation.


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