Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a tooth. Next to it was a turtle and a tiger. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a tent and a taco. What a great day!
T
T sound /t/
A light tapping sound made with the tongue tip behind the top teeth. (Between vowels American English often uses a flap, so medial words here keep a clear /t/.)
American English pronunciation model · voiceless · tongue tip (alveolar) · stop · spellings: t, tt, ed
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/t/ · Tapping sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice off · no buzz · Airflow
Tongue tip up behind the top teeth, then release a puff.
The tongue tip or blade contacts the alveolar ridge; lips remain apart.
Movement 1/3: Tip meets ridge
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How to Make the Sound
/t/
Voice switched OFF
Put your hand on your throat — it should stay still and quiet. Only air.
Remember it: Tapping sound — the tongue tip taps the ridge, like a tiny drum.
- Tongue
- The tip of the tongue presses on the bumpy ridge just behind the top front teeth.
- Lips and jaw
- Lips relaxed and slightly apart; jaw a little open.
- Air
- Air is stopped by the tongue, then let out in a small, quiet burst.
Step by step
- Find the bumpy ridge behind your top teeth with your tongue tip.
- Press the tip there.
- Drop the tongue quickly with a puff — t.
More than one right way: In everyday speech many British speakers replace /t/ between vowels or at the ends of words with a glottal stop ("wa'er"). This is a normal accent feature, not an error. American English often uses a quick flap in words like "water".
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /k/ ("key" for "tea") — made at the back. Show the tip of the tongue going up. Gently holding the back of the tongue down with a clean lolly stick is something a therapist may show you.
- Tongue pushes between the teeth. Use a mirror: the tongue should stay behind the teeth.
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/t/
Tongue tip taps behind the top teeth: t-t-t.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
ta
tee
to
too
ti
ata
eeta
ota
at
eet
ot
Initial position
tooth
/t/ · initial
“my tooth”
turtle
/t/ · initial
“my turtle”
tiger
/t/ · initial
“my tiger”
tent
/t/ · initial
“my tent”
taco
/t/ · initial
“my taco”
Medial position
guitar
/t/ · medial
“my guitar”
potato
/t/ · medial
“my potato”
hotel
/t/ · medial
“my hotel”
tomato
/t/ · medial
“my tomato”
Final position
cat
/t/ · final
“my cat”
hat
/t/ · final
“my hat”
boat
/t/ · final
“my boat”
kite
/t/ · final
“my kite”
carrot
/t/ · final
“my carrot”
Short phrases
- my tooth
- my turtle
- my tiger
- my tent
- my taco
- my guitar
- my potato
- my hotel
- my tomato
- my cat
- my hat
- my boat
Sentences
- I can see the tooth.
- I can see the turtle.
- I can see the tiger.
- I can see the tent.
- I can see the taco.
- I can see the guitar.
- I can see the potato.
- I can see the hotel.
- I can see the tomato.
- I can see the cat.