I hope this question isn't too broad but..
When do you not pronounce the final letter of a word when the next word begins with a vowel?
I hope that makes sense.
I know that you are never supposed to say the "T" in "et" when it comes before a vowel but that's all I know.
P.S.
Most of the time, do not pronounce
final d, s, t or x in French words.
Mme
Great question! Understanding when to drop the final letter of a word when the next word begins with a vowel can be a bit tricky, but there are some general rules and patterns that can help.
In English, there are certain situations where the final letter of a word may be dropped or elided when the next word begins with a vowel sound. This phenomenon is called "elision". Here are some common scenarios where elision occurs:
1. Silent "e": When a word ends with a silent "e", it is usually dropped when the next word begins with a vowel sound. For example, pronounce "the apple" as "thuh apple" (not "thee apple").
2. Consonant sounds before silent "e": If a word ends with a consonant sound followed by a silent "e", the final consonant sound is usually elided before a vowel sound in the next word. For instance, pronounce "take off" as "tay koff" (not "take koff").
3. Final "r": In some accents or dialects of English, the final "r" sound is often dropped, particularly in words ending in an unstressed "er" or "ar". For example, pronounce "for all" as "fo rall" (not "forr all").
4. Final consonant clusters: If a word ends with a cluster of consonants, especially certain combinations like "st", "nd", or "nt", the final consonant is often not pronounced when the next word begins with a vowel sound. For instance, pronounce "best apple" as "bes dapple" (not "best tapple").
It's important to note that elision is not strictly followed by all speakers, and there can be variations based on regional accents or personal preferences. Additionally, some words may have multiple standard pronunciations that vary depending on the context and sentence structure.
To further develop your understanding of elision, I recommend listening to native English speakers, paying attention to their pronunciation patterns, and practicing speaking in different contexts to improve your own skills.