Everyday sentences you will actually use, written three ways: how it's spelled, the formal IPA transcription, and a plain-English Sounds Like column with zero phonetic symbols. Read whichever column you're comfortable with — say the sentence out loud as one long word with a few strong beats, never word by word.
CAPITALS = stressed beat · hyphens = glued together · in IPA: ə = "uh" (schwa) · ɪ = short "ih" · æ = short "a" (cat) · ʌ = "uh" (stressed) · ʃ = "sh" · ʒ = "zh" · tʃ = "ch" · dʒ = "j" · ð/θ = "th" · ŋ = "ng" · In the Sounds Like column all of these are already spelled out in plain letters — no symbols to learn.
Pick one block per day (there are 14 now — that's a full two-week cycle).
Read each sentence 5 times: slow → normal → fast → record → compare.
Use the IPA column if you already read phonetic symbols, or the Sounds Like column if you don't — both describe the exact same sound.
Focus on the beats, not the words. Same number of beats no matter how many small words you add.
Once a block feels automatic, move on. Come back weekly.
The Reference column is yours — paste a YouTube link there (a native-speaker clip, a short, a movie scene) that matches that exact line, so you can compare your own recording against it.
These pack several rules into one breath. If you can say these smoothly, your connected speech is working.
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
What do you want me to do about it?
/wʌd‧ə‧jə‧ˈwɑnt‧mi‧tə‧ˈduː‧ə‧baʊ‧dɪt/
WUD-uh-yuh-WAHNT-mee-tuh-DOO-uh-bow-dit?
I would have gone if I had known.
/aɪ‧ˈwʊ‧dəv‧ˈɡɔn‧ɪ‧faɪ‧əd‧ˈnoʊn/
eye-WUD-uv-GAWN-i-fy-ud-NOHN
Don't you think it's a bit too much?
/doʊn‧tʃə‧ˈθɪŋk‧ɪt‧sə‧ˈbɪt‧tuː‧ˈmʌtʃ/
DOHN-chuh-THINK-it-suh-BIT-too-MUCH?
I'm not going to be able to make it.
/əm‧nɑ‧ˈɡʌ‧nə‧bi‧ˈeɪ‧bl‧tə‧ˈmeɪ‧kɪt/
um-NAH-guh-nuh-bee-AY-bul-tuh-MAY-kit
Let me get back to you on that.
/ˈlɛm‧mi‧ɡɛt‧ˈbæk‧tə‧jə‧ɔn‧ðæt/
LEM-mee-get-BACK-tuh-yuh-awn-that
Could you have told me earlier?
/kʊdʒ‧ə‧v‧ˈtoʊld‧mi‧ˈɜr‧li‧ər/
KUD-juh-v-TOHLD-mee-UR-lee-ur?
A lot of people don't understand it.
/ə‧ˈlɑ‧də‧ˈpiː‧pl‧doʊ‧ˈnʌn‧dər‧ˈstæn‧dɪt/
uh-LAH-duh-PEE-pul-doh-NUN-dur-STAN-dit
What's it going to take?
/wʌt‧sɪ‧ˈɡʌ‧nə‧ˈteɪk/
WUT-si-GUH-nuh-TAKE?
Block 9 — Shopping & Money
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
How much is it?
/haʊ‧mʌ‧tʃɪ‧zɪt/
HOW-muh-CHIZ-it?
Do you have this in a smaller size?
/də‧jə‧hæv‧ðɪs‧ɪn‧ə‧ˈsmɔ‧lər‧saɪz/
duh-yuh-HAV-this-in-uh-SMAW-lur-size?
Can I pay by card?
/kə‧naɪ‧peɪ‧baɪ‧ˈkɑrd/
kuh-nye-PAY-by-KARD?
That's a bit expensive.
/ðæt‧sə‧bɪt‧ɪkˈspɛn‧sɪv/
that-suh-BIT-ik-SPEN-siv
Do you have any change?
/də‧jə‧hæv‧ˈɛ‧ni‧tʃeɪndʒ/
duh-yuh-hav-EH-nee-CHAYNJ?
I'll take it.
/aɪl‧ˈteɪ‧kɪt/
AHYL-TAY-kit
Can you give me a discount?
/kə‧njə‧ˈɡɪ‧mi‧ə‧ˈdɪs‧kaʊnt/
kuh-nyuh-GIH-mee-uh-DIS-kownt?
It's twenty dollars altogether.
/ɪts‧ˈtwɛn‧di‧ˈdɑ‧lər‧zɔl‧tə‧ˈɡɛ‧ðər/
its-TWEN-di-DAH-lur-zawl-tuh-GEH-thur
Block 10 — Directions & Getting Around
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
Turn left at the corner.
/tɜrn‧ˈlɛf‧tət‧ðə‧ˈkɔr‧nər/
TURN-lef-tat-thuh-KOR-nur
Is it far from here?
/ɪ‧zɪt‧ˈfɑr‧frəm‧hɪr/
IZ-it-FAR-frum-here?
How do I get to the station?
/haʊ‧di‧aɪ‧ˈɡɛt‧tə‧ðə‧ˈsteɪ‧ʃən/
how-dee-eye-GET-tuh-thuh-STAY-shun?
Go straight and take a right.
/ɡoʊ‧ˈstreɪt‧ənd‧ˈteɪ‧kə‧raɪt/
goh-STRAYT-and-TAY-kuh-RITE
It's just around the corner.
/ɪts‧dʒəst‧əˈraʊnd‧ðə‧ˈkɔr‧nər/
its-just-uh-ROWND-thuh-KOR-nur
We're almost there.
/wɪr‧ˈɔl‧moʊst‧ðɛr/
wir-AWL-mohst-THEHR
I think we're lost.
/aɪ‧θɪŋk‧wɪr‧lɔst/
eye-think-wir-LAWST
Can you drop me off here?
/kə‧njə‧ˈdrɑ‧pmi‧ɔf‧hɪr/
kuh-nyuh-DRAH-pmee-awf-here?
Block 11 — Phone Calls & Texting
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
Can you hear me?
/kə‧njə‧ˈhɪr‧mi/
kuh-nyuh-HEER-mee?
I'll call you back in a sec.
/aɪl‧ˈkɔl‧jə‧bæ‧kɪn‧ə‧sɛk/
AHYL-KAWL-yuh-bak-in-uh-SEK
Sorry, I missed your call.
/ˈsɑ‧ri aɪ‧ˈmɪst‧jər‧kɔl/
SAH-ree-eye-MIST-yur-KAWL
Text me when you land.
/ˈtɛkst‧mi‧wɛn‧jə‧lænd/
TEKST-mee-wen-yuh-LAND
My phone's about to die.
/maɪ‧foʊnz‧əˈbaʊt‧tə‧daɪ/
my-FOHNZ-uh-BOWT-tuh-DYE
Let me put you on speaker.
/ˈlɛm‧mi‧ˈpʊ‧tʃu‧ɔn‧ˈspiː‧kər/
LEM-mee-PU-choo-awn-SPEE-kur
Can you send that in a message?
/kə‧njə‧ˈsɛn‧ðæ‧tɪn‧ə‧ˈmɛ‧sɪdʒ/
kuh-nyuh-SEN-that-in-uh-MEH-sij?
I'll drop you a message later.
/aɪl‧ˈdrɑ‧pju‧ə‧ˈmɛ‧sɪdʒ‧ˈleɪ‧tər/
AHYL-DRAH-pyoo-uh-MEH-sij-LAY-tur
Block 12 — Family, Weather & Small Talk
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
It's freezing out there.
/ɪts‧ˈfriː‧zɪŋ‧aʊt‧ðɛr/
its-FREE-zing-owt-THEHR
Looks like it's going to rain.
/lʊks‧laɪk‧ɪts‧ˈɡʌ‧nə‧reɪn/
looks-like-its-GUH-nuh-RAYN
My mom's coming over later.
/maɪ‧mɑmz‧ˈkʌ‧mɪŋ‧ˈoʊ‧vər‧ˈleɪ‧tər/
my-MAHMZ-KUH-ming-OH-vur-LAY-tur
How's your family doing?
/haʊz‧jər‧ˈfæ‧mə‧li‧ˈduː‧ɪŋ/
howz-yur-FAM-lee-DOO-ing?
It's way too hot today.
/ɪts‧weɪ‧tuː‧ˈhɑt‧tə‧deɪ/
its-way-too-HAHT-tuh-day
Say hi to your parents for me.
/seɪ‧haɪ‧tə‧jər‧ˈpɛ‧rənts‧fər‧mi/
SAY-hi-tuh-yur-PEH-runts-fur-mee
I can't stand this humidity.
/aɪ‧kænt‧stænd‧ðɪs‧hjuˈmɪ‧də‧ti/
eye-KANT-stand-this-hyoo-MIH-duh-tee
It's a nice day, isn't it?
/ɪt‧sə‧naɪs‧deɪ‧ˈɪ‧zən‧tɪt/
it-suh-NICE-day-IZ-un-tit?
Block 13 — Feelings & Encouragement
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
Don't give up now.
/doʊnt‧ɡɪ‧vʌp‧naʊ/
dohnt-gi-VUP-now
You can do this.
/jə‧kən‧ˈduː‧ðɪs/
yuh-kun-DOO-this
I'm really proud of you.
/aɪm‧ˈrɪ‧li‧praʊ‧dəv‧jə/
aim-RIH-lee-PROW-duv-yuh
It's going to be okay.
/ɪts‧ˈɡʌ‧nə‧bi‧oʊˈkeɪ/
its-GUH-nuh-bee-oh-KAY
I'm kind of nervous about it.
/aɪm‧ˈkaɪn‧də‧ˈnɜr‧və‧sə‧baʊ‧dɪt/
aim-KYNE-duh-NUR-vuh-suh-bow-dit
That must have been hard for you.
/ðæt‧ˈmʌ‧stəv‧bɪn‧ˈhɑr‧dfər‧jə/
that-MUH-stuv-bin-HAR-dfur-yuh
I'm so happy for you.
/aɪm‧soʊ‧ˈhæ‧pi‧fər‧jə/
aim-soh-HA-pee-fur-yuh
Everything's going to work out.
/ˈɛv‧ri‧θɪŋz‧ˈɡʌ‧nə‧wərk‧aʊt/
EV-ree-thingz-GUH-nuh-wurk-OWT
Block 14 — Disagreements, Persuasion & Tag Questions
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
You're coming, aren't you?
/jər‧ˈkʌ‧mɪŋ‧ˈɑr‧ˈntʃu/
yur-KUH-ming, AR-nchoo?
That's not what I meant.
/ðæts‧nɑ‧wʌ‧daɪ‧mɛnt/
thats-NAH-wuh-dye-MENT
I see what you're saying, but…
/aɪ‧ˈsi‧wə‧tʃər‧ˈseɪ‧ɪŋ‧bʌt/
eye-SEE-wuh-chur-SAY-ing, but…
You know what I mean?
/jə‧noʊ‧wʌ‧daɪ‧min/
yuh-NOH-wuh-dye-MEEN?
That's easier said than done.
/ðæ‧ˈti‧zi‧yər‧sɛd‧ðən‧dʌn/
tha-TEE-zi-yur-SED-than-DUN
It's not that simple.
/ɪts‧nɑt‧ðæt‧ˈsɪm‧pl/
its-NAHT-that-SIM-pul
You could at least try.
/jə‧kə‧dæt‧liːst‧traɪ/
yuh-kuh-DAT-leest-TRY
We'll never agree on this, will we?
/wil‧ˈnɛ‧vər‧əˈɡri‧ɔn‧ðɪs‧wɪ‧li/
wil-NEH-vur-uh-GREE-awn-this, WI-lee?
Which Rule Is Doing the Work?
Rule
Example from above
Linking C→V
turn it off → TER-nɪ-TƆF
Flapping t→d
put it on → PU-dɪ-tɔn
Assimilation d+y→j
did you → DID-jə
Assimilation t+y→ch
meet you → MEE-chə · aren't you → AR-nchoo
Elision t/d dropped
don't know → də-NO
Weak forms
to → tə · of → əv · for → fər · and → ən
Reduction
going to → GUN-ə · want to → WAN-nə
Intrusion /w/ /j/
do it → DOO-wɪt · I am → aɪ-yæm
Number liaison
twenty dollars → TWEN-di-DAH-lur
The Rhythm Test
Say these three lines. Each should take the same time, even though the words increase. This is stress timing — the core of English rhythm.
CATS chase MICE.
The CATS will chase the MICE.
The CATS will have been chasing the MICE.
If line 3 takes noticeably longer than line 1, you are still speaking syllable-timed (Urdu rhythm). Squeeze the small words harder.
14-Day Rotation
Day
Block
Focus
Day 1
Block 1 — Greetings
Record and compare
Day 2
Block 2 — Actions
Focus on flapping
Day 3
Block 3 — Opinions
Focus on weak forms
Day 4
Block 4 — Work
Use 3 in a real call
Day 5
Block 5 — Time & Plans
Focus on linking
Day 6
Block 6 — Food & Home
Focus on linking
Day 7
Block 7 — Problems & Apologies
Focus on elision
Day 8
Block 8 — Longest Chains
Full-speed chains + rhythm test
Day 9
Block 9 — Shopping & Money
Flapping + number liaison
Day 10
Block 10 — Directions
Linking C→V
Day 11
Block 11 — Phone & Texting
Reductions (gonna/wanna)
Day 12
Block 12 — Family, Weather & Small Talk
Tag-question rhythm
Day 13
Block 13 — Feelings & Encouragement
Stress timing
Day 14
Block 14 — Disagreements & Tags
Full mixed review, record yourself
Rule: never practise these silently. Connected speech is a muscle, not knowledge.
Bonus: Movie Lines
Same three-column format, same rules — but these are famous one-liners instead of everyday sentences. Good for when the 14 core blocks start feeling repetitive. These are widely quoted single lines, not full scenes, so treat each block as extra flavor, not a core daily block.
Bonus tip: these lines work because they're already how people actually talk — full of contractions, weak forms, and linking. Say the movie line the way the character says it, not the way it's spelled.
Block 23 — Idioms, Spoken Naturally (Advanced)
Idioms only sound native when they're linked and reduced like any other sentence — never said word-by-word. See the 🧩 Idioms page for meanings; this block is purely for pronunciation practice.
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
Come on, spill the beans.
/kə‧mɔn‧ˈspɪl‧ðə‧ˈbiːnz/
kuh-MAWN-spil-thuh-BEENZ
Let's cut to the chase.
/lɛts‧ˈkʌt‧tə‧ðə‧ˈtʃeɪs/
lets-KUT-tuh-thuh-CHASE
I'm on the fence about it.
/aɪm‧ɔn‧ðə‧ˈfɛn‧sə‧baʊ‧dɪt/
aim-awn-thuh-FEN-suh-bow-dit
The ball's in your court now.
/ðə‧ˈbɔl‧zɪn‧jər‧ˈkɔrt‧naʊ/
thuh-BAWL-zin-yur-KORT-now
Don't jump the gun.
/doʊnt‧ˈdʒʌm‧pðə‧ˈɡʌn/
dohnt-JUM-pthuh-GUN
We're kind of in hot water.
/wɪr‧ˈkaɪn‧də‧vɪn‧ˈhɑt‧ˈwɑ‧dər/
wir-KYNE-duh-vin-HAHT-WAH-dur
That cost me an arm and a leg.
/ðæt‧ˈkɔst‧mi‧ə‧ˈnɑr‧mən‧də‧ˈlɛɡ/
that-KAWST-mee-uh-NAR-mun-duh-LEG
I think we're on the same page.
/aɪ‧θɪŋk‧wɪr‧ɔn‧ðə‧ˈseɪm‧peɪdʒ/
eye-think-wir-awn-thuh-SAME-page
Block 24 — Idiom Chains (Two in One Breath)
Written
IPA
Sounds Like
Reference
I didn't want to jump the gun, so I'm still on the fence.
Rule: an idiom that's pronounced perfectly word-by-word still sounds foreign. Link it, reduce the function words inside it (the, a, in, on), and stress only the key content word — exactly like every other sentence on this page.