How to Speak More Clearly

10/28/2026

By Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, licensed speech-language pathologist

Short answer: to speak clearly, open your mouth more, finish the ends of your words, speak in short phrases with pauses, keep your volume up to the end of each sentence, and stress your key words. Most unclear speech comes from a few habits you can change with practice.

I help native and non-native English speakers speak so people understand them the first time.

What Makes Speech Hard to Understand

  • A nearly closed mouth. If your jaw barely moves, sounds get muffled. This is a common cause of mumbling.
  • Low volume. Especially at the ends of sentences.
  • Speed. Fast speech without pauses makes words run together.
  • Dropped endings. Leaving off the last sound, like the T in "meant" or the S in "results."
  • Flat or misplaced stress. When every word gets the same weight, or the stress is on the wrong syllable, listeners lose the meaning.

How to Speak More Clearly

  1. Open your mouth. Let your jaw drop a little more on vowels. Practice in a mirror, and exaggerate at first.
  2. Finish your words. Say every final consonant, especially in names, numbers, and key terms.
  3. Use short phrases and pauses. Break long sentences into small groups of words. See my lesson on thought groups.
  4. Keep your volume up. Breathe before you run out of air, so the last words are as loud as the first.
  5. Stress the words that matter. Make key words a little longer and stronger. See stress in sentences.
  6. Slow down a little. See how to talk slower.

How to Stop Mumbling

  • Read aloud for five minutes a day with big, exaggerated mouth movements. Then read again at normal size. Your normal speech will usually be clearer.
  • Record yourself and listen for words that blur. Practice just those words, slowly, then at normal speed.
  • Warm up your mouth and voice. Try my six vocal warm-ups.

If English Is Your Second Language

Clarity in a second language also depends on a few specific vowels, consonants, and stress patterns. You don't need to lose your accent to be clear. See speaking English clearly, or start with my free accent course, English Pro Lite.

Work With Me on Clarity

In private coaching, I find the few habits that make the biggest difference for you, and we practice with your own work and conversations. Coaching is one-to-one on Zoom at $250 an hour, and the Planning Session is free.

See professional voice training

Common Questions

How can I speak more clearly?

Open your mouth more, finish the ends of your words, speak in short phrases with pauses, keep your volume up to the end of each sentence, and stress the words that matter most.

How do I stop mumbling?

Mumbling usually comes from a nearly closed mouth, low volume, and rushing. Open your jaw more, breathe low, slow down a little, and practice reading aloud while exaggerating your mouth movements at first.

Why do people always ask me to repeat myself?

The most common reasons are speaking too fast, speaking too quietly, dropping the ends of words, and stressing the wrong syllables. Recording yourself is the quickest way to find out which ones apply to you.

Can I speak clearly with an accent?

Yes. Clear speech means being easy to understand, and you can be clear with any accent. A few specific sounds and stress patterns usually make the biggest difference.



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