Understanding how words are connected will not only make you sound more natural, but will also help you understand native speakers better. And as a speaker of five languages in total, I can say that this isn't only an English language feature, but this pretty much happens in most languages. If it weren't that way, we would rather sound like robots.

What is special about the way words are connected in English is, that while doing that a lot of the connecting sounds (at the end of the previous and beginning of next word) tend to either , sort of , fade away or change into a softer sound.

Usually, the end of one word attaches to the beginning of the next word. This is also true for initials, numbers, and spelling. Part of the glue that connects sentences is an underlying hum or drone that only breaks when you come to a period, and sometimes not even then. You have this underlying hum in your own language and it helps a great deal toward making you sound like a native speaker.

Once you have a strong intonation, you need to connect all those stairsteps together so that each sentence sounds like one long word.

• Words are connected when a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, including the semivowels W, Y and R.

Spelling Pronunciation

My name is Ann. [my nay mi zæn]

American accent [amer'k' næksent]

You also use liaisons in spelling and numbers.

Spelling Pronunciation

LA [eh lay]

909-5068 [näi nou näin, fäi vo sick sate]

• Words are connected when a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word starts with a consonant that is in a similar position. These words are going to naturally join together:

- Sounds produced by the lips (P, B) or lips and teeth (F, V)
We have to stop Ben from doing this. [stoBBen]

We have a lot of fun [o’fun]
He has nothing to complain about with his five-figure salary.[fai-‘figur]

- Sounds produced behind the teeth (T, Ch, S, Sh) and their voiced correspondents (D, J, Z, Zh)
Beren is surprised to learn that Jason has seen Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
I just didn't get the chance [I jussdidn't ge(t)the chance.

I've been late twice. [äivbin la(t)twice]

- Sounds produced near the throat (K,H) and (G, Ng, R)

I don’t like getting up early. [läiGGeddin’]

• · Vowel & Vowel

When a word ending in a vowel sound is next to one beginning with a vowel sound, they are connected with a glide between the two vowels.

Spelling Pronunciation

Go away. [go(w)away]

I also need the other one. [äi(y)älso need the(y)other one]

A glide is either a slight [y] sound or a slight [w] sound. How do you know which one to use? This will take care of itself--the position your lips are in will dictate either [y] or [w].

For example, if a word ends in [o], your lips are going to be in the forward position, so a [w] quite naturally leads into the next vowel sound: [Go(w)away].

After a long [e] sound, you lips will be pulled back far enough to create a [y] glide or liaison: [I(y)also need the(y)other one]. Don't force this sound too much, though. It's not a strong pushing sound.

· Connecting Y

T, D, S or Z + Y When the letter or sound of T, D, S or Z is followed by a word that starts with Y, or its sound, both sounds are connected. These letters and sounds connect not only with Y, but they do so as well with the initial unwritten [y] sound of syllables and words. They form a combination that changes the pronunciation.

T + Y = CH

Spelling Pronunciation

What's your name? [Whacher name?]

Can't you do it? [Canchoo do it?]

Don't you like it? [Donchoo like it?]

actually [achully]

D + Y = J

Spelling Pronunciation

What did you do? [Whajoo do?]

Would you help me? [Wüjoo help me?]

Did you like it? [Didja like it?]

graduation [graju(w)ation]

S + Y = SH

Spelling Pronunciation

insurance [inshurance]

sugar [shüg'r]

Z + Y = ZH

Spelling Pronunciation

How's your family? [howzher family?]

Who's your friend? [hoozhier friend?]

casual [kazhyoow'l]

usual [yuzhoow'l]