Pratique du Shadowing: Connected Speech - The Intrusive R in British English - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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Have you ever noticed how native British English speakers might say, I spoke to Anna and John, or I saw a film?
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That mysterious r sound seems to appear out of nowhere, but it's not a mistake.
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It's actually a very natural part of connected speech in British English called the intrusive r.
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So when does the intrusive r happen?
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Well, the intrusive r happens when a word ends in one of these specific vowel sounds, and the next word starts with any other vowel sound.
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When we say these words on their own, we don't pronounce the R.
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Listen carefully.
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Saw.
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Camera.
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Spa.
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This also includes diphthongs like ear in idea,
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air as in hair, and ur as in tour.
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However, to make the transition smoother between the words, native British speakers with non-rhotic accents,
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which basically means that they don't pronounce the r
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when it's written at the end of a word or if it's after a vowel, they often insert a little r between the two words.
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For example, for example, there's one there actually, with or, I saw a film.
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To connect it, I saw a film.
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With the schwa, the camera is broken.
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More naturally, the camera is broken.
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The camera is broken.
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So you're adding that intrusive R to the beginning of the next word to help you link them together.
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The camera is broken.
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And finally, the spa is closed.
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How sad.
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The spa is closed.
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The spar is closed.
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So why does this happen?
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Well, it all comes down to vowel-vowel linking.
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When two vowel sounds meet, there's no easy way to move from one vowel to the other in English.
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It feels a bit awkward and unnatural for us to stop and then say the other vowel.
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So in British English, we add this little helping sound, in this case a R, and this helps make the transition much smoother.
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Listen to the difference between these two sentences.
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Without the intrusive R, I love the idea of going.
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I love the idea of going.
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With the intrusive R, I love the idea of going.
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More naturally, I love the idea of going.
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So now you're probably thinking, when do you use the intrusive R?
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Well, the intrusive R only happens after certain vowel sounds, particularly those that end in a schwa,
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uh, sound, or the ones that we looked at earlier, like or and uh and AR and so on.
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At this point, you may be thinking, what's the difference between the linking R and the intrusive R?
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Maybe you've heard other people talk about the linking R, and you're thinking, is there a difference?
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Is this the same thing?
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Well, it's a very good question with a very simple answer.
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Put simply, if the word doesn't end with the letter R, then it's an intrusive R.
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For example, I saw it.
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There's no R in the spelling of saw.
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It's written with a W.
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I saw it.
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So it's an intrusive R.
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However, if the word contains the letter R, then it's a linking R.
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For example, the door is open.
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Even though when we say the word door, we don't pronounce the R, we still write the letter R.
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So because we write the R, we link it, door is, the door is open.
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And this is the linking R.
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So the rule is very simple.
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Intrusive R, there's no R in the spelling.
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Linking R, there is an R in the spelling.
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Now let's practice together.
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Say each sentence very slowly first, then naturally joining the sounds together smoothly with the intrusive R.
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I saw it on TV.
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I saw it on TV.
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The idea of it makes me smile.
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The idea of it makes me smile.
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Law and order are important.
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Law and order are important.
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He saw Emma yesterday.
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He saw Rema yesterday.
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Asia is a beautiful continent.
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Asia is a beautiful continent.
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The media are saying it's true.
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The media are saying it's true.
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So that's the end of today's British English pronunciation lesson.
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I hope this helped you understand how
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and why British native speakers add this little r sound between the words
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and how you can use the intrusive r naturally in your own speech.
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If you enjoyed this lesson give it a like, share it with a friend who's also learning English and subscribe for more practical British English pronunciation lessons every week.
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And don't forget Emma's pronunciation hub reopens in January 2026.
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So you can join the VIP waitlist below for early access, free workshops and exclusive bonuses when the doors open.
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I will see you in the next lesson.
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Bye bye!

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing connected speech is crucial for English learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. This video on the intrusive R in British English highlights a common feature that occurs in everyday speech. By mimicking the delivery of native speakers, you will not only enhance your pronunciation but also improve your overall fluency. Learning to use the intrusive R allows you to link sounds and words smoothly, making your speech flow more naturally. When you listen and repeat phrases such as "I saw a film" or "The camera is broken," you engage in shadowspeak, a practice that simulates real-life communication scenarios. This helps you become comfortable with the rhythm and intonation of British English, ultimately giving you the confidence to converse effectively.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The video presents several important structures that highlight the intricacies of connected speech:

  • Intrusive R Usage: The term describes how an ‘R’ is inserted between two vowel sounds to ease pronunciation. For example, in the phrase "I saw a film," the ‘R’ is added to create "I saw a film."
  • Linking R vs. Intrusive R: Understanding this distinction is vital. The linking R occurs in words that actually contain the letter 'R', while the intrusive R happens in words that do not, as in "I saw it."
  • Vowel-Vowel Linking: This is a critical concept in British English and refers to how vowel sounds awkwardly meet. Inserting the intrusive R allows for a smoother transition, thus improving clarity in communication.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Many learners encounter specific pronunciation traps when practicing connected speech. Here are a few examples from the video:

  • Words Ending with Vowel Sounds: Phrases like "I love the idea of going" may sound choppy without the added intrusive R. Practicing these transitions can prevent awkward pauses.
  • Diphthongs: The use of diphthongs like 'air' in "hair" is instrumental in understanding connected speech. Mispronouncing them might make your speech less understandable.
  • Non-Rhotic Accents: Recognizing the accents that do not pronounce 'R' in specific positions is essential. Practicing with native pronunciation can help you master this aspect.

To truly improve English pronunciation, consider using resources like learn english with youtube videos that focus on these features. Engaging in regular shadow speaks can greatly enhance your speaking abilities, allowing you to tackle the complexities of pronunciation with ease.

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.