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Liaisons

English uses liaisons in speech too. The only difference is that they are not written. For words beginning with vowel sounds1, make a liaison with the previous consonant.

     I'm_early.
     They_are_Italian.
     Stan_and_Annette_are coming.
     Now_and_again, we shop_at_Ikea.
     Our_aunt_also likes_apples_and_oranges.


Between long vowels (the ones that sound like their name), use these consonant
sounds as liaisons:

y for
     a    She prefers the ballet_yand he prefers the cabaret_yand a cigar.
     e    We_yare late.
     i    I_yam Norwegian.

w for
     onbsp;   So_wI go_wout_every Saturday night.
     unbsp;   Who_wis going to_wassist you_wat the meeting?

Pay attention to these words that end with vowel sounds:
     ballet, bouquet2, filet, gourmet
     He, she, we, me, the
     I, my, why, by, guy
     go, so, no, Joe
     do, to, you, who, too


1 Not all vowels are pronounced with vowel sounds.

2 Be careful with these words: notice the difference between ballet and ballot,
bouquet and bucket as well as filet and fill it. There is a big difference between receiving a bouquet of flowers and a bucket of flour.

 

 
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