Linking r

In RP and SSB English, we do not pronounce 'r's at the end of syllables, unless they are followed by another vowel sound.

• Words ending in r

  Words ending with an r like "doctor", "car", "clear", "more", will feature a linking r if they are followed by a vowel sound.
  

  Examples:

  • The doctor‿and I

    [ðə 'dɒktə‿ɹ‿ən ɑj]
    
  • The car‿is outside

    [ðə 'kʰɑ:‿ɹ‿ɪz aʊt'sɑjd]
    
  • The clear‿atmosphere

    [ðə klɪ:‿ɹ‿atməsfɪ:]
    
  • The more‿I know

    [ðə mo:‿ɹ‿aj nəʊ]
    

  The important thing to note in these examples is that the following sound is a vowel.
  

  Importance of the following sound

  If the following sound is a consonant, a /j/ ("yes") or a /w/ ("won") sound, then the /r/ is not pronounced.

  Counter-examples (no linking r):
  

  • The doctor takes checks

    [ðə 'dɒktə tɛjks 'tʃɛks]
    
  • The car wash

    [ðə 'kʰɑ: wɒʃ]
    
  • Clear your settings

    ['klɪ: jo: 'sɛtɪŋs]
    
  • More library features!

    ['mo: 'lɑjbɹəɹɪj: 'fɪj:tʃəz]
    

  Words that do not end in r

  Linking r can still happen when the first word does not end in r, but ends in a vowel sound.
  This makes it easier to articulate both words in sequence.
  This excludes words that end with [j] and [w], such as "boy" or "how".

  Examples:
  

  • Barbara‿r‿is nice

    ['bɑ:bɹə‿ɹ‿ɪs‿'nɑjs]
    
  • Papa‿r‿is in the kitchen

    [pə'pɑ:‿ɹ‿ɪz ɪn ðə 'kʰɪtʃɪn]
    
  • Arkensas‿r‿is in the USA

    ['ɑ:kənso:‿ɹ‿ɪz ɪn ðə 'ju:ɛs'ɛj]
    

  Counter-examples:

  • The boy is here

    [ðə 'boj ɪz 'hɪə]
    
  • How are you

    [haw 'ɑ: jᵾw]
    
  • Hey Elizabeth!

    ['hɛj ə'lɪzəbəθ]