If you've ever wondered why Americans seem to swallow the T in words like "button" or "mountain," you've encountered the glottal stop—one of the most distinctive features of American English pronunciation.
What Is a Glottal Stop?
A glottal stop (written as /ʔ/ in IPA) is produced by briefly closing and then releasing the vocal cords. It's the sound you make in the middle of "uh-oh" between the two syllables.
Try saying "uh-oh"—that catch in your throat between the syllables is a glottal stop!
When Americans Use the Glottal Stop
The glottal stop commonly replaces /t/ in these situations:
1. Before Syllabic N
When T comes before the N sound in an unstressed syllable:
2. Before Syllabic L
3. At the End of Words (Before Pause)
4. In -TAIN and -TANE Words
How to Make the Glottal Stop
- Say "uh-oh" naturally—feel that catch in your throat
- Practice holding your breath briefly mid-word
- Your tongue should NOT touch the roof of your mouth (unlike a regular T)
- The sound comes from your throat/glottis
Glottal Stop vs. Regular T
You can choose either—both are correct American English:
- Glottal: "bu'on" /ˈbʌʔn̩/ - more casual, very common
- Regular T: "button" /ˈbʌtn̩/ - more careful speech
Regional Variations
- American English: Very common, especially before N and L
- British RP: Less common, considered informal
- Cockney/London: Very frequent, even between vowels ("bo'le" for bottle)
- Scottish: Very common
Words That DON'T Use Glottal Stop
The T is usually pronounced clearly when:
- It starts a stressed syllable: "attack" /əˈtæk/
- It's between two vowels (often becomes flap T instead): "water" /ˈwɔːtər/ → /ˈwɔːɾər/
- It's at the beginning of a word: "time" /taɪm/
Practice Sentences
Try saying these with glottal stops:
- "The kitten sat on the cotton mitten."
- "The button is on the bottom of the bottle."
- "I'm certain the mountain has a fountain."
- "What? I didn't get that."
Should You Use Glottal Stops?
For comprehension: Yes! Understanding glottal stops is essential for understanding American English.
For production: Optional. Both glottal and regular T are perfectly acceptable. As you become more fluent, you'll naturally start using glottal stops in casual speech.