Open Your Mouth and Speak Clearly
Thirty-two easy ways to open your mouth and speak clearly, because clear sound starts with small, relaxed movements.
Clear speech is a body skill. Open, relax and shape each word.
40 tips that really help
These ideas come from The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie), Talk Like TED (Carmine Gallo), Made to Stick (Chip and Dan Heath), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Clear speech is a body skill
Clarity depends on lips, tongue, jaw and breath working together. You can train them like any muscle, and small changes make a big difference.
Spend two minutes today on a mouth warm-up.
Open your mouth a little more
Many mumblers speak through almost closed teeth. Opening the mouth about a finger’s width on vowels lets sound out.
Say “I can speak clearly” with a slightly wider mouth.
Drop your jaw
Let your jaw hang loosely and move freely. A stiff jaw muffles words.
Open and close your mouth gently ten times.
Use your lips
Round your lips for “oo” and “oh” and spread them for “ee”. Lip shapes shape sound.
Say “oo, ee, oo, ee” exaggerating the shapes.
Use your tongue
The tip of the tongue forms “t”, “d”, “l” and “n”. Keep it lively, not lazy.
Say “la la la, ta ta ta” crisply.
Finish your consonants
Mumbling often means dropping the ends of words. Finish “t”, “d”, “k” and “s” clearly.
Say “kept, stopped, asked” with crisp endings.
Say all syllables
“Probly” and “libary” lose syllables. Say “probably” and “library” in full.
Pick three words and say each syllable.
Do not swallow the end of sentences
The last word is often the key. Keep energy to the end.
Finish each sentence with the same energy.
Do not drag vowels
Slurred vowels blur words. Keep vowels clean and short enough.
Say “bit, bet, bat, but” clearly.
Slow down
Speed makes articulation sloppy. A slightly slower pace helps clarity more than any other trick.
Slow down by ten percent.
Use the pencil exercise
Hold a pencil gently between your teeth and read a paragraph aloud, then take it out and read again. Speech sounds sharper afterwards.
Try it for one minute.
Use the cork exercise
Actors sometimes practise with a cork between the teeth. It exaggerates effort. It is old but effective. Use a clean pencil instead.
Read one paragraph with a pencil.
Exaggerate in practice
Over-articulate while practising so normal speech is clear. Real speech will be natural.
Exaggerate your consonants for two minutes.
Use tongue twisters
“Peter Piper” and similar phrases train precision. Start slow.
Say one twister clearly ten times.
Use "pah, tah, kah"
Repeat “pah, tah, kah” rapidly. It trains lips, tongue and soft palate.
Do thirty seconds.
Use "mm-nn-ng"
Hum these in turn to feel where they sit. It improves nasal clarity.
Do each for five seconds.
Check your posture
Slouching restricts breath and clarity. Stand tall.
Straighten your spine.
Support with breath
Clear words need steady air. Take a low breath before speaking.
Breathe low before each sentence.
Do not talk with your hand over your mouth
Hands and objects muffle speech. Keep your face visible.
Keep your hands below your chin.
Face your listener
Speaking to the side or down loses sound. Face people and let them see your mouth.
Turn toward the person.
Remove obstacles
Chewing gum, food and tight lips affect speech. Clear your mouth.
Finish your mouthful first.
Know your habits
Do you mumble when tired or nervous? Notice triggers.
Note when you mumble most.
Record and listen
Hearing yourself shows which words blur. It is eye-opening.
Record one minute and mark mumbled words.
Ask a friend
A friend can tell you which words are unclear. Ask kindly.
Ask for three examples.
Check your hearing
If you struggle to hear yourself or others, a hearing check can help your speech too.
Book a check if you have concerns.
See a speech therapist
If speech difficulty persists, a speech and language therapist can help. It is a normal, helpful service.
Look up a local therapist if needed.
Take it easy with accents
An accent is not a fault. Clarity is about the speaker’s articulation, not accent. Focus on clear consonants.
Keep your accent and sharpen your consonants.
Be kind with second languages
If speaking a second language, slow down and practise sounds. Patience wins.
Practise key words slowly.
Use hand gestures
Gestures can help you find energy and clarity. Let them flow.
Add one natural gesture.
Smile
A smile lifts the cheeks and brightens vowels. It helps clarity.
Smile when you speak.
Stay hydrated
A dry mouth muffles words. Sip water.
Drink water before speaking.
Limit alcohol
Alcohol slurs speech. Keep a clear head when clarity matters.
Avoid it before key talks.
Rest
Tiredness makes speech lazy. Sleep well before big days.
Get an early night.
Warm up
A short warm-up improves clarity. Hum and trill.
Do a one-minute warm-up.
Use a mirror
Watch your mouth as you speak. See how wide you open it.
Practise in front of a mirror.
Slow your tongue twisters
Practise slow first. Speed comes later.
Start at half speed.
Practise daily
Five minutes a day of mouth exercises is enough. Consistency counts.
Set a daily alarm.
Celebrate clarity
When people say, “I could hear every word”, you have succeeded.
Note your next compliment.
Chew your words, not your food
Think of each word as having a beginning, middle and end, and give each part a moment. Over-shaping words in practice teaches the lips and tongue a bigger range, and your normal speech then sounds crisp without effort.
Say your first sentence with every consonant fully formed, then say it normally.
Check the clear-speech spots
Most unclear speech clusters around word endings, unstressed syllables and number words like “fifteen” and “fifty”. Spotting your own weak spots lets you drill the few that matter instead of everything.
Say “fifteen, fifty, sixteen, sixty” clearly three times.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.
“Let me warm up my voice.â€
“Each word, clearly.â€
“I will slow down a little.â€
“Can you hear me well?â€
“Thanks for listening.â€
“That sounded clearer.â€
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Relax your jaw
Open your mouth
Use your lips
Use your tongue
Slow down
Warm up
Check your sound
Further reading
- The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie)
- Talk Like TED (Carmine Gallo)
- Made to Stick (Chip and Dan Heath)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
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Start freeThese lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.
More lessons in “Speaking Clearly”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Read Your Words Out Loud FirstNext: Stop Mumbling in Three Steps →
- Slow Down by Ten Percent
- Speak From Your Belly, Not Your Throat
- The Magic of the Pause
- End Sentences Like You Mean Them
- Warm Up Your Voice in One Minute
- Find Your Natural Volume
- Vary Your Tone to Keep Attention
- Use Words a Ten-Year-Old Would Understand
- Short Sentences Sound Confident
- Cut Jargon and Filler Words
- Lead With Your Main Point
- Say One Idea at a Time
- Replace Vague Words With Exact Ones
- Read Your Words Out Loud First
- Open Your Mouth and Speak Clearly
- Stop Mumbling in Three Steps
- Pronounce Hard Words With Confidence
- Breathe at the Right Moments
- Speak Clearly on the Phone
- Speak Clearly on Video Calls
- Handle an Accent With Pride
- The Point, Reason, Example Formula
- The Rule of Three
- Start With Why It Matters
- Tell a Short Story Instead
- Use Numbers and Pictures Wisely
- Finish With One Clear Takeaway
- Answer a Question in Thirty Seconds
- Replace Um With a Silent Pause
- What to Do When You Lose Your Thought
- Recover From a Mistake Smoothly
- Stop Over-Explaining
- Stop Apologising Before You Speak
- Practise With a Voice Recorder
- Stay Clear When You Are Nervous
- Speak Clearly When Put on the Spot
- Explain Something Complicated Simply
- Speak Clearly in an Argument
- Speak Clearly to Someone Senior
- Your Daily Clarity Habit
