When a word ends with the same consonant that the next word begins with, speakers don't pronounce the sound twice. Instead, the consonants merge — but how they merge depends on the type of consonant.
This is why "some money" sounds like "suh money" — the two /m/ sounds become one longer /m/.
Fricatives (/f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ/), nasals (/m, n, ŋ/), and liquids (/l, r/) can be held continuously. When they meet, the sound is lengthened — pronounced once, but for a longer time.
| Phrase | Phonemic | Phonetic |
|---|---|---|
| some money | /sʌm mʌni/ | [sʌːmʌni] |
| bus stop | /bʌs stɑp/ | [bʌːstɑp] |
| phone number | /foʊn nʌmbɚ/ | [foʊːnʌmbɚ] |
| more rice | /mɔr raɪs/ | [mɔːraɪs] |
Stops (/p, b, t, d, k, g/) cannot be held continuously because they completely block airflow. When they meet, the first stop is held, then released into the second. This creates a brief pause.
| Phrase | How to say it |
|---|---|
| bad day | Hold /d/, release into /d/ |
| black cat | Hold /k/, release into /k/ |
| big game | Hold /g/, release into /g/ |
Affricates (/ʧ, ʤ/) are pronounced twice without merging.
| Phrase | Phonetic |
|---|---|
| orange juice | [ɔrənʤ ʤus] |
| beach chair | [biʧ ʧɛr] |