In the previous section, the word linking was used for the first time.

So far, you have learned that in l

order to keep to the rhythm you have to hit the stressed syllables and weaken the weak syllables. But
there is one more important factor: the rhythm can only flow if words are properly linked.
I use the word 'flow' because it can help to think of words as a stream, with no division between them.
Or you may prefer to imagine the words as a chain, all joined (or linked) together.

There are four main ways of linking words. Here is a simple sequence to help you remember them:
One apple, two apples, three apples, four apples.
1.
When a word ending in a consonant is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, there is a
smooth link. If the word beginning with the vowel is stressed, then the moment of stress seems to
begin with the preceding consonant. Compare the following sequences, which sound exactly the
same.
a) What we need is a name.
b) What we need is an aim.
2.
Where a word ends with one of the rounded vowels //, /a/, /u:/ (as in so, now, too) there
is a /w/ link. This is presumably due to the fact that the lips are coming together anyway, and the
consequent parting of the lips in preparation for the next vowel forces a /w/.
3. /
When a word ends with /i:/ (as in see, he, she) or one of the diphthongs or which /i/ is the
second element (as in my, they, boy) there is an off-glide to /j/.

4. / /
In many dialects of English (including General American and several found in Britain), the written
/r/ in words such as mother, for and far has a corresponding /r/ sound. But in RP, an /r/ sound is
only heard when there is a following vowel.