Pronunciation can be tricky in English, especially when the same letter is pronounced differently in different words or accents. Two common variations of the /t/ sound are the flap /t/ and the glottal stop. Understanding these sounds will help you sound more natural when speaking English.
1. The flap /t/
The flap /t/ is a sound between /t/ and /d/. It happens when the tongue quickly taps the roof of the mouth. This pronunciation is common in American English, especially in casual speech.
When does the flap /t/ occur?
When /t/ is between two vowel sounds
When /t/ comes before an unstressed syllable
Examples:
| Word | Standard Pronunciation | Flap /t/ Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | /ˈwɔːtər/ | /ˈwɑːɾər/ |
| Butter | /ˈbʌtər/ | /ˈbʌɾər/ |
| City | /ˈsɪti/ | /ˈsɪɾi/ |
| Better | /ˈbɛtər/ | /ˈbɛɾər/ |
Practice sentence:
“I need some water and butter to make a better cake.”
Say this sentence naturally and notice how the /t/ sounds like a soft /d/.
2. The glottal stop
The glottal stop is a sound made by closing the vocal cords briefly. It is common in some accents of English, such as Cockney (London English) and Estuary English. It often replaces the /t/ sound in casual speech.
When does the glottal stop occur?
At the end of words
In the middle of words, replacing /t/
Examples:
| Word | Standard Pronunciation | Glottal Stop Pronunciation |
| Bottle | /ˈbɒtəl/ | /ˈbɒʔl/ |
| Little | /ˈlɪtəl/ | /ˈlɪʔl/ |
| Mountain | /ˈmaʊntən/ | /ˈmaʊnʔn/ |
| Football | /ˈfʊtbɔːl/ | /ˈfʊʔbɔːl/ |
Practice sentence:
“I bought a little bottle of water on the mountain.”
Try saying this sentence with the glottal stop. Notice how the /t/ sound disappears in some words.
Final tips for learning
Listen to native speakers – Pay attention to how /t/ sounds in different accents.
Practice with recordings – Record yourself and compare with native pronunciation.
Use minimal pairs – Compare words with and without the flap /t/ or glottal stop.
Speak naturally – Use these sounds in daily conversations to improve fluency.
By mastering the flap /t/ and the glottal stop, you will sound more natural and confident when speaking English. Keep practicing, and happy learning!
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