Sounds · The T
T disappears after N
Your tongue is already up for the N, so the T easily disappears.
N + T + quick part → disappears
twenty twenny
Hear it in words
How each word is written, and how Americans say it.
- plentyplenny
- centercenner
- winterwinner
- internetinnernet
- interviewinnerview
- wantedwannid
- paintingpainning
- seventysevenny
- enterenner
- mentalmennal
- advantageadvannage
- grantedgrannid
In a sentence
- That's twenty dollars. That's twenny dollars.
- I have a job interview today. I have a job innerview today.
- There's plenty of food. There's plenny of food.
Careful with these
- A T that starts a strong part has air: until, entire, fantastic, continue
- Before an N at the end, the T stops: mountain, fountain
- The T of “to” stays, even inside a word: into, onto
How to say it
- Say the N and go straight to the next sound. Skip the T.
- It happens most in everyday words like twenty, center and internet. In rarer words, many people keep the T.
- Saying the T is always fine. Many Americans do, especially when they speak carefully.
Listen for: The N joining the next sound, with no T in between.
Where to look for it
NT before a part that is not strong: twenty, plenty, center, internet. Also -nted and -nting: wanted, painting. Not when the T starts a strong part: until and fantastic keep the T.
More about it
The sentence tells you whether it is winter or winner. Ninety often keeps a T or a quick D. Some speakers keep the T; both ways are American.
Teachers call this: The dropped T, or the silent T after N.
Listen for it today. When you hear a price or a time with “twenty”, listen for “twenny”.