Pronunciation: How to pronounce words beginning with /h/

Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English is

really spoken. Come on, let's go inside.

Now, if you've been following my adventures in

this workshop, you will know that I've had a bit of bad luck, now and then. But not half

as much bad luck as this chap. Listen to what these people are saying about him.

He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.

He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.

Now, they all used the word 'he' twice. But there were two different pronunciations. Listen

out for them both as you watch again.

He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.

He looks like he's had an accident. He looks like he's had an accident.

In fluent speech, if the word 'he' comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause, then

the 'h' sound /h/ is pronounced. But if it comes in the middle of a sentence or clause

and after a consonant, then the 'h' sound is not usually pronounced. So /hiː/ becomes

/iː/ and 'he looks like he's had an accident' becomes 'he looks like 'e's had an accident'.

Now this change also happens with certain other words beginning with the 'h' sound,

like him, his or her. Here are some more examples.

I really like his cooking. We think he's left the country.

They let him leave early. They offered her a promotion.

Right, so you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. You know the drill by now.

Listen and repeat.

I really like his cooking.

We think he's left the country.

They let him leave early.

They offered her a promotion.

Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit

our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the pronunciation workshop

for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Now, that man in the photograph - his head

looked a bit sore - which reminds me. Saw! I love DIY! Actually, I am a bit accident-prone.

But my twin Tom is very good with his hands. I think I'll give him a ring and ask for his

advice. Ow! Every time!