Linking Sounds Like a Native: The Secret to Smooth English

You’ve probably heard it before:

“Your English is good… but you sound a little... stiff.”

Translation: You sound like you swallowed a pronunciation textbook and forgot to chew.

Here’s the deal: Fluent speakers don’t pause between every. single. word. They link sounds together, flowing like melted butter on hot toast. And if you want to sound native (or at least like you didn’t rehearse your introduction 15 times), you need to master linking.

What the Heck Is “Linking” in English?

Linking is when the last sound of one word connects smoothly to the beginning of the next word. It’s what turns:

“Go on” into “Go-won”
“Read it” into “Ree-dit”
“An idea” into “An-eye-dee-uh”

We don’t do this to be difficult. We do it because it’s faster, easier, and, frankly, lazier. Welcome to native fluency.

Why This Matters at Work

Let’s say you’re in a meeting. Your boss says:

“We needa finish this by Friday.”

And you, being the excellent employee you are, say:

“We need… to… finish… this… by… Friday.”

Congrats. You sound like Google Translate in slow mode. Not terrible, but not how rising stars talk.

In high-stakes settings—like Zoom meetings—you don’t want to sound unsure or out of sync. Linking instantly boosts your confidence and makes people pay attention.

The 3 Types of Linking (And How Not to Butcher Them)

1. Consonant → Vowel Linking

If a word ends in a consonant and the next starts with a vowel, link ‘em like a pro.

“Pick it up” → “Pi-ki-dup”

Mistake to avoid: Dropping the consonant. “Pi i up” makes it sound like you’re buffering.

2. Vowel → Vowel Linking

Add a “w” or “y” sound when necessary.

“Go out” → “Go-wout”
“He is” → “Hee-yis”

This isn’t a crime against grammar. It’s what fluent people do.

3. Consonant → Consonant Linking

Repeat or merge them.

“Big game” → “Bigame” or “Big-game” depending on pace.

It’s like playing Tetris with your words. Once you get the rhythm, it’s addictive.

Try This in Real Life (No, Seriously—Out Loud)

Say this slowly:

“Did you eat it?”

Now say it like a native:

“Joo-weet-it?”

Yes, it sounds like you just sneezed into a sentence. But it’s real. And it works.

🚨 Don’t Be That Guy: The Over-Linker

Yes, linking is cool. But if you go too far, you’ll sound like your mouth is glitching.

Example:

“It is a nice day” → Normal linking: “I-ti-za-nice-day”
Over-linker: “Itizaniceday” (aka one long audio worm)

Link like a native, not like a broken Siri.

📌 Quick Practice Drill (2 Minutes)

Try reading this aloud:

“Can I get a bit of it on a plate?”
Say it slowly first. Then smoothly:
“CanI getabitovit onna plate?”

🎯 Bonus: Record yourself. Cringe. Improve. Repeat.

Related: Still Struggling with TH, W/V, or Tricky Words?

You’re not alone. Go back and check:

• “The ‘TH’ Sound That’s Sabotaging Your Career”
• “Why ‘W’ and ‘V’ Confuse Everyone—And How to Fix It in One Week”

Trust me, linking is the final boss after you beat those.

Want Feedback on Your Speaking?

Let’s get real: reading about linking is cute, but it’s not the same as getting coached on it.

Book a call with us and we’ll:

• Break down your speech
• Help you link like a fluent pro
• Stop the “robot mode” forever

👉 Schedule your free fluency session — we’ll show you exactly how.

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