The /d/ is often deleted (or dropped) when a word ending in /nd/ links into a word that begins with a consonant sound. When the /d/ is deleted, the /n/ must link smoothly to the beginning consonant sound of the following word.

Practice linking the dropped the /d/:

1. and‿said: Joan called and‿said she was running late.

2. hand‿me: Could you hand‿me that pen?

3. stand‿back: Please stand‿back from the yellow line.

4.sound‿familiar: That does sound‿familiar.

5. weekend‿project: We're planning a big weekend‿project.