How to Pronounce That'll | Pronounce.tv

That'll

2 syllables: That, 'll. Stress on That.

THAT-uhl

/ˈðætəl/

That'll is pronounced THAT-uhl (/ˈðætəl/). It has two syllables (That-'ll), with the stress on "That". That'll is a contracted form of 'that will' used to express future action or obligation in informal speech. It functions as a modal-like auxiliary with reduced pronunciation, typically realized as /ðæˈtɔl/ or /ðæˈtəl/ depending on dialect, and often blends the /l/ into a syllabic or weakly articulated ending. It marks future intent in conversational English and is common in natural, rapid speech.

verbThat'll is a contracted form of 'that will' used to express future action or obligation in informal speech. It functions as a modal-like auxiliary with reduced pronunciation, typically realized as /ðæˈtɔl/ or /ðæˈtəl/ depending on dialect, and often blends the /l/ into a syllabic or weakly articulated ending. It marks future intent in conversational English and is common in natural, rapid speech.

Common mistakes

Vowel over-reduction: Don’t insert a schwa-like sound before the /l/. Aim for a quick, tight /t/ release into the /l/.
Misplacing stress: Ensure the stress lands on the second syllable; many learners put stress on 'That' instead of 'that'll.'
Full-forms in casual speech: Avoid pronouncing as /ðæt wɪl/; contraction should merge smoothly: /ðæˈtɔl/ or /ðæˈtəl/.
Mouth posture: Keep jaw relaxed, but not slack; lips should be neutral to slightly rounded for /ɔ/ if you’re using that vowel. Practice saying with a slightly rounded lips for the diphthong, then neutralize for faster speech.
Linking: In connected speech, you might link to the next word, for example 'That'll do' with a smoother transition to /du/; practice by chaining phrases.

How do you pronounce That'll?

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How is That'll used in a sentence?

"That'll be the last time I forget my keys."

"If you arrive early, that'll give us time to set up."

"That'll do for now—let's move on to the next item."

Pronunciation FAQ

In standard General American, pronounce as /ðæˈtɔl/ or /ðæˈtəl/. The key is the primary stress on the second syllable (toll-like). Start with the voiced dental fricative /ð/ for 'th,' then /æ/ as in 'cat,' then the stressed /t/ followed by a rounded /ɔ/ or a centralized /ə/ before /l/. In quick speech the /ɔ/ can reduce to a schwa, yielding /ðæˈtəl/. Mouth position: place the tongue blade near the upper teeth for /ð/, keep jaw relatively relaxed, and create a crisp alveolar stop /t/ followed by the/ l. Audio references: YouTube pronunciations from Pronounce, Forvo samples under 'that will' show the reduction patterns. IPA guidance helps ensure you’re not turning it into /ðætəl/ or /ðætɪl/.

Common mistakes include saying /ðællt/ with a closed /l/ and an overextended /l/ or inserting extra vowel sounds (like /ɪ/ or /ə/) before the /l/. Another error is separating tissues of 'that' and 'will' too much, making it /ðæt ɪl/ instead of a smooth contraction. To correct, keep the /t/ abruptly released, avoid a full vowel before /l/, and aim for a tight, quick sequence /ðæˈtɔl/ or /ðæˈtəl/ with the second syllable pitched as the nucleus. Practice with minimal pairs against full 'that will' to feel the reduced form.

In US English, /ðæˈtɔl/ with a possibly lower /ɔ/ and less rounding. UK speakers may have /ðæˈtɒl/ with a shorter, closer vowel; Australian /ðæˈtɔːl/ often features a longer /ɔː/ or a centralized vowel depending on region. Rhoticity can influence trailing /r/ presence after the word in connected speech, but typically thatʼs not attached to thatʼll. The main differences lie in the vowel quality of the second syllable and the exact duration of the /t/ and /l/. Always listen for the local rhythm: US tends to be more rhotic (r-colored) in surrounding environments, UK can be more clipped, AU lies between, with some vowel diphthongization variations.

The difficulty stems from rapid contraction, which blends 'that' with 'will' into a single, lighter syllable. The challenge is the weak schwa-like vowel before the final /l/ and maintaining clear dental fricative /ð/ and the alveolar /t/ without a vowel intrusion. Many speakers also reduce the second syllable too much, collapsing it to a single light moment, which harms intelligibility. Focus on the precise sequencing: /ð/ + /æ/ + /t/ + /l/ with a stressful nucleus on the second syllable; ensure you avoid an extra vowel and keep the /l/ dark or light depending on dialect.

A distinctive feature is the rapid coalescence of the final 'l' with the preceding consonant, making the ending feel almost like /təl/ or /tɔl/ depending on the vowel. Practicing with a light tongue touch for /l/ and keeping the /t/ release tight helps. Non-natives should also focus on the subtle difference between /ɔ/ and /ə/ in the second syllable, as misplacing it can turn /ðæˈtɔl/ into /ðæˈtəl/ or vice versa. Use shadowing with a native speaker to feel the natural timing and rhythm.

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Accent differences

US: Expect a darker /ɔ/ or /ɔl/ sound with a clear /t/ and final /l/. Try to maintain rhotic influence when followed by a vowel in the next word.
UK: Shorter, tenser vowels; charging toward /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ depending on region; less rhotic influence; keep the ending crisp but not overly elongated.
AU: A rounded, slightly longer /ɔː/ in many speakers; vowel shifts could push toward /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ depending on locality; the /l/ remains clear, with less nasalization.
General tip: Use IPA as your guide for vowel length and quality; practice with minimal pairs that switch /ɔ/ vs /ə/ in the second syllable to feel subtle shifts. Record yourself to compare with native samples from Pronounce or Forvo.

Word Etymology

That'll derives from the contraction of that + will, a pattern established in Early Modern English and carried into contemporary usage. The contraction mechanism follows the broader English tendency to fuse auxiliary verbs with pronouns or demonstratives, yielding forms like I'll, you'll, she'd've, etc. In this case, the pronoun/determiner 'that' is followed by the auxiliary 'will.' The resulting pronunciation often collapses the vowel and consonant sequence, producing a smooth, quickly articulated /ðælt/ or /ðæˈtɔl/ depending on the speaker. Historically, will originated from Old English willan, with Germanic roots; the modern pronunciation often reduces the unstressed syllable and may merge /l/ with a following alveolar stop in rapid speech. The first printed contractions of that + will appear in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with the rise of intelligible, economy-driven spoken English in literature and theater. Over time, the contracted form gained traction in all registers, though in careful speech you may hear a clearer separation: that + will. In modern speech, variations reflect regional vowel shifts and rhotics, influencing whether the ending is more 'l' or a slight schwa before a darker /l/. First known use as a written contraction occurs in the early modern period, with spoken use well established by the 18th century.

💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.