Subtitles section Play video
-
Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English is
-
really spoken. Come on, let's go inside.
-
Now, if you've been following my adventures in
-
this workshop, you will know that I've had a bit of bad luck, now and then. But not half
-
as much bad luck as this chap. Listen to what these people are saying about him.
-
He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.
-
He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.
-
Now, they all used the word 'he' twice. But there were two different pronunciations. Listen
-
out for them both as you watch again.
-
He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.
-
He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.
-
In fluent speech, if the word 'he' comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause, then
-
the 'h' sound /h/ is pronounced. But if it comes in the middle of a sentence or clause
-
and after a consonant, then the 'h' sound is not usually pronounced. So /hiː/ becomes
-
/iː/ and 'he looks like he's had an accident' becomes 'he looks like 'e's had an accident'.
-
Now this change also happens with certain other words beginning with the 'h' sound,
-
like him, his or her. Here are some more examples.
-
I really like his cooking. We think he's left the country.
-
They let him leave early. They offered her a promotion.
-
Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill by now.
-
Listen and repeat.
-
I really like his cooking.
-
We think he's left the country.
-
They let him leave early.
-
They offered her a promotion.
-
Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit
-
our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the pronunciation workshop
-
for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, that man in the photograph - his head
-
looked a bit sore - which reminds me. Saw! I love DIY! Actually, I am a bit accident-prone.
-
But my twin Tom is very good with his hands. I think I'll give him a ring and ask for his
-
advice. Ow! Every time!