1 · Pronunciation
Hear it, see it, say it
IELTS tip. The IELTS Listening test uses a range of English accents, so you may hear t-glottalling. When a word seems to have a missing t, think of the whole word and use the topic. In your own Speaking test, a clear /t/ is always a safe choice.
How to make it
- Say 'uh-oh' slowly and notice the catch in your throat between the two sounds.
- Close your vocal cords and let no air through for a moment, then release them.
- Compare with /t/: for /t/ the tongue tip touches the ridge behind your teeth and then releases a puff of air.
- The glottal stop uses no tongue and no lips: it is made only in the throat.
Say it after me
bottle /ˈbɒtl/ (careful: with /t/)
bottle [ˈbɒʔl] (glottal stop)
football /ˈfʊtbɔːl/ (careful: with /t/)
football [ˈfʊʔbɔːl] (glottal stop)
what time /wɒt taɪm/ (careful: with /t/)
what time [wɒʔ taɪm] (glottal stop)
not now /nɒt naʊ/ (careful: with /t/)
not now [nɒʔ naʊ] (glottal stop)
uh-oh, bottle, football, water, what time, not now, that car