When the T sounds like a D in the American accent

The fast “d” sound (also called a flap T) is one of the unique features in the American accent that makes it different from other native English pronunciations. Instead of hearing a / t / sound in a word (referred to as a true T), a quick / d / sound is heard instead. This usually occurs when the letter T is between two vowel sounds or when it’s after an R and a vowel sound in an unstressed syllable. Some words with a fast “d” sound are “water,” “city” and “party.” In “water,” the letter T is between A and E, and it’s in an unstressed or weak syllable “-ter” (the second syllable). In English, every word is made up of a strong syllable or stressed syllable and weak syllables or unstressed syllables. A fast “d” does not occur in stressed syllables. In the words “pretend” and “photography,” the T’s are between two vowel sounds  but are in stressed syllables. Therefore the T’s in these words have a true T sound. Watch this video to learn about the true T, fast “d” and disappearing T in spoken American English. 

Below are words with a fast “d.”

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Watch a free video lesson on the different T sounds in the American accent (True T, Fast "d" and Disappearing t).