I'd drop by?

Question

How to pronounce the sentence "I'd drop by" and distinct it from "I drop by"I actually did not hear the first "d" in the sentence, and did not see the difference. Thanks!!

Philip · Accepted Answer

The stop /d/ is held just a bit longer but not separated from the second /d/.Native speakers can hear this, but it takes learners a while to distinguish it. The best way to learn it is to practice with a native until you can do this. A single word that is worth practicing with is bookkeeper. Try saying it with just one /k/ then with just a little pause of the /k/, and you will be able to distinguish the two sounds. With one /k/ the three syllables are nearly equal. If you stress the first, the second /k/ is "felt".

H. Lin · Answer

Thanks Philip,

I just turned to the link to listen to "bookkeeper": http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/bookkeeper

Again, to me there is only one "d" sound, and it is not prolonged "k" at all. I think there is no point in sticking myself with this question, as my ear does not recognize the deterrence. The best I could to is to leave a silence between the vowel before the first "d" and and the second "d". Do you think this silence help make others understand me well enough?

CalifJim · Answer

H. LinHow to pronounce the sentence "I'd drop by" and distinct it from "I drop by"

My advice is the same as Philip's. For I'd drop it's going to sound like you started to say a /d/ and stopped, and then went ahead and said a /d/, so it does sound like there is a little silence in between when your stop voicing for a split second. The trick is not to complete or release the first /d/ because if you do, you're going to make it sound like a real silence, which you don't want. Leave the tongue in position for saying a /d/ even at the point where you are stopping the first /d/ from releasing.

The brief stop in voicing does not occur in I drop.

CJ

I'd drop by?

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