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Dropping the D & T
We’re here to look at a funny habit that many English speakers have. Sometimes we drop the “d” or the “t” sound in the middles or ends of words. This is more common if that “d” or “t” is next to another consonant, and especially if it’s between two consonant sounds.
Examples
- “I can’t hear a thing you say.” Pronounced, I cann hear a thing you say.
- “There’s going to be a band night this evening.” Pronounced, There’s going to be a bann night this evening.
Above, the “t” in can’t gets lost between a “nnn” and a “hhh” sound. The “d” in band gets lost between two “nnn” sounds. This doesn’t always happen as a rule, but it is common for many people.
The “d” and “t” sounds when next to consonants are already pronounced weakly in normal cases, so it wasn’t so hard to completely omit them. Still, the sound is not simply dropped, but usually, the sound before it gets a little stressed. Remember, that’s like the “n” sound in I cann hear a thing you say.
Taking other letters along
In some words, the “d” and “t” take some other letters away with them. This can be heard in some accents with the words don’t, doesn’t, and didn’t, among others. Watch how many sounds get dropped from these words.
Examples
- “He doesn’t look like he knows what that means.” Pronounced, He ‘onn’ look like he knows what that means.
- “Elvis also played the guitar, didn’t he?” Pronounced, Elvis also played the guitar, dinn’ he?
This might look pretty funny on paper, but it sounds smoother in speech. Again, not all English speakers have these habits when talking, but they can be noticed in several accents. This usually happens so that the words can come out easier since so many “d’s” and “t’s” right next to each other just don’t seem natural.
It’s some people’s way of making the speech flow better. Of course, lots of people may find these habits weird or think they’re uneducated, and there are plenty of those that do try to annunciate all their letters. This is just another habit that English learners may come across when they practice their new language.
Read more: about dropping d’s and t’s especially in American English
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More examples
I havenn heard from you in a while. (haven’t)
It’s hard to benn metal. (bend)
Chris ‘onn’ even know how to change a tire. (doesn’t)
I dinn’ see that one coming. (didn’t)
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