Assimilation in English

About this Video:

Have you ever heard of assimilation in English? Did you know that it can dramatically change the pronunciation of a word? Do you want to know whether or not you use it? In this video, these are exactly the things I'm going to help you with

There are some instances where the consonant sound at the beginning or end of a word may change because of its relationship with the consonant sound of a neighbouring word.
For example, if you said, 'that's really thought provoking', in rapid, connected speech, the T at the end of 'thought' isn't pronounced, and in its place, we bring the lips together, to make a P, so it would also look like this: ‘thoughp…provoking’, we don't pronounce 2 P sounds, instead we hold the lips together in preparation for the P at the beginning of the next word. This is assimilation. Fortunately, many speakers in all languages use assimilation naturally without thinking.

Here are some examples of pairs of words that end in T or D and are followed by P or B. And if you come up with another other pairs that follow the same pattern or have any questions, post them in the comments below:

‘thought provoking’ becomes ‘thoughp…provoking’
‘private balcony’ becomes ‘privab…balcony’
‘proud parents’ becomes ‘proup…parents’
‘added bonus’ becomes ‘addeb…bonus’

if you come up with another other pairs that follow the same pattern or have any questions, post them in the comments below

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[leon.s.kennedy]

Instead of being annoying for 1 hour like phoneticians, you just explained it in 3 minutes, GOOD JOB!

[yasinbozbuga]

There is another thing about n-m sounds. When a word ends with n sound and another word starts with m sound, it becomes m sound. For example: There are ten men in the house. Ten-Men becomes Tem-Men. Btw thanks for the video :)

[sulaimanali]

My mother tongue is Arabic, and I am now learning German. This video has helped me a lot because German is from the same language family as English.
thank you very much

[hotellya]

I have decided to donate my two eyes after viewing this emotional and inspiring video.Now i can leave this planet very happily and peacefully. thank you so much for uploading such an inspiring and heart wrenching video.

[nailanesrinebelkhiri]

god bless you
i have an exam tomorrow about assimilation. it is really helpful 😍

[peterjensen]

Never heard of this phenomenon before. It is subtle but this illustration makes clear what is going on. As a non native speaker of English I am aware of economy in regards of individual words, like for instance the last o in laboratory is typical omitted, but assimilation represents a more intricate economy. I don't think I ever would have spottet this aspect of English if it was not for this video. Thank you.

[peace-myyf]

Thank you so much 😭💙💙💙
Hope our teachers make it easy as you did 💔

[irenetsindos]

Wow, great explanation. Clear and concise. Thank you

[mokraniferiel]

Thank you very much this is very helpful for my exam 😍 you saved my life .

[RuyZyn]

Amazing video! This helps me to speak more naturally. Thanks a lot.

[learnerkahneby]

A very clear explanation. Many thanks.

[matiastoddler]

I did really love the video...so didactic...Thanks mate...Hugs from Argentina...

[laurarodriguez]

5. I graduated last year. What is the assimilation here?

[amriteshkumar]

This is very useful for my exam in BA PART3

[oswaldocabrera]

How about assimilation in phrases like: in the: /n‿ð/ → [n̪n̪] as in "in the army" or "when that (happens)" minute 1:40 of your talk

[elmerlumapayelmer]

thank you so much, it's really help me to get some idea...

[makaka]

Thank you very much, it is very useful~

[yeonyney]

I have two questions! this is for my presentation on analyzing the rules of phonology in pop songs.
The lyrics 'It must come to an end' --> it must I think it is an assimilation but how does the m influence the t? I(n) must come to an end --> Is that correct?
and the second question is 'One more look and I forget everything' One more is an assimilation but how does the m influence the n? O(m)e more --> Is that correct?

[shaheenmehnaz]

Sir will you please deliver your complete lecture about assimilation?

[Quyanxi]

Ashley, could you please make a video on assimilation of /d/ followed by /y/ and /t/ followed by /y/? As in "couldshyou" or "wouldshyou"? Many of my students keep asking me whether this actually exists. Thanks a million!