Proper Pronunciation Guide

didn’t

[dɪd̚ ṇt]

Tips:

  • Pronounce this word as two syllables—and not as [dɪnt].
  • Stop-but-do-not-explode the second letter “d,” and then convert it into a syllabic “n”
    /n̩/ without removing the tip of the tongue from the alveolar (gum) ridge. In other words do not add a vowel between the second “d” and the “n”— not [dɪ dənt].
  • Be sure to voice the stopped “d”—/d̚/— and be careful of substituting a glottal stop /ʔ/ for it— not [dɪ ʔnt].
  • Explode the final
    /t/ very lightly, or you may simply stop-but-not-explode it if it is followed by another consonant.

Practice Sentences:

He didn't want the extra responsibility.
No, I didn't.
She didn't do it.
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