Acting With An Accent - Standard British - Lesson 5A

LESSON FIVE: THE R-DROP as in MOTHER

When "R" follows a vowel, the English drop off the actual glide sound of the "R," leaving only the vowel or diphthong stem. Listen carefully to the CD for the proper style of "R-dropping."

runner, player, helper, sweeter, heavier
- The runner staggered over the hill and became a walker.
- My mother, father, sister, and brother thank you again.

earth, word, work, curse, thirsty, burn
- Ernest was very dirty and thirsty.
- Searching for the curse words was hard work.

star, car, alarm, hard, march
- He parked the car down in the yard by the barn.
- Arthur played cards in the cardinal's garden.

four, door, chores, more, important
- The exhaust that poured forth caused sore throats.
- At a quarter to four the sportsmen adorned the shore.

clear, beer, here, tears, career
- Never fear; the wheel to steer is near the gearbox.
- I'm sincere about wanting the deer to appear next year.

hair, pair, barely, everywhere, scared
- Where did the rare polar bear go?
- He carefully prepared to go upstairs.

sure, cure, endure, secure
- Are you sure that you can endure the long tour?
- Can you ensure that the poor man can cure his headache?