#78 What You Probably Didn’t Know About Fluent English (Until Now)

Do you struggle to hear the difference between similar sounds in fluent speech? You're not alone—many English learners face this challenge.

The issue often lies in sound fusions, where words blend together so smoothly that certain sounds become barely audible or change completely. This can make it tough to understand what’s being said.

The secret to overcoming this is to focus on speech rhythm. When words blend, it’s often the rhythm that gives away the meaning, not the individual sounds.

In fluent speech, the rhythm of a sentence changes depending on whether a word is emphasized or reduced. This pattern helps distinguish words, even when the sounds are hard to catch.

Examples

Take “I can swim” vs “I can't swim”:

• "I can swim" = di di DA (shorter rhythm, quick).
• "I can't swim" = di DA DA (longer, more emphasized rhythm).

When listening or speaking, pay attention to rhythm patterns. They’ll guide you to the meaning even if you miss a sound fusion.

Want to hear it in action? Watch my quick 1-minute video where I explain the rhythm difference in detail. Find the link in the comments section.

After watching, try practicing to see how rhythm affects your speech.

Here's my question to you: Do you find rhythm helpful for understanding speech better? Share your thoughts in the comments below.??

In these weekly articles you'll find tips based on my 25+ years of professional experience working with hundreds of professionals and corporate managers who initially struggled with their English pronunciation.

I'm an English Fluency Coach, radio podcast host and content creator.

Connect | Gábor Légrádi | MA, RSA/CTEFLA

Ready to Sound Smarter?

Download your free copy of my English Fluency Secrets PDF guide for a practical, easy-to-follow explanation to sound more connected in your speech.

Want more personalized tips and deeper insights? Join my English Fluency Mastery mailing list for additional techniques to boost your English fluency!