More Consonant Clusters and examples

More Consonant Clusters and examples

Sometimes in certain consonant clusters (a string of two or more consonants in a word) the sounds may be reduced or dropped. Below are some of these reductions.

The th cluster

In the consonant cluster 'th', the /th/ can be changed or dropped.

Listen to these examples. The first word is with proper enunciation, the second with the reduced sounds.

Then listen to the words in sentences.

            The 'th' may become a /t/ as in months (munts)

            There are twelve months in a year.    

            The 'th' may become a /k/ as in strengths (strengks)       

            Athletes strengths are sapped if they exercise excessively.        

            The 'th' may become a /thv/ as in twelfths (twelfs)          

            The recipe calls for seven-twelfths of a cup of butter.     

The nt cluster

In the consonant cluster 'nt', if it is followed by a vowel sound, the /t/ may be dropped. A flapped 'n' is used in

its place.

Listen to these examples. The first word is with proper enunciation, the second with the reduced sounds.

Then listen to the words in sentences.

            The center of town is that way. (cen'ner)

            The renter of the house couldn't pay the rent. (ren'ner)

            That shirt costs twenty dollars. (twen'ny)

Consonant Clusters

Sometimes in certain consonant clusters (a string of two or more consonants in a word) the sounds of one of the consonants may be reduced or dropped. Below are some of these reductions.