Release features of plosives

There are four main ways to release plosives in English: centrally (along the middle of the vocal tract), centrally into friction (as is the case with affricates ), nasally (through the nose) and laterally (down one or both sides of the tongue). Another possibility is inaudible release.

The type of release is often predictable from context. The direction and type of airflow on release usually match those of the subsequent sound: so in sequences of plosive + vowel, plosives are released centrally, because vowels require airflow down the mid-line of the vocal tract. In a sequence of plosive + nasal, however, the plosive may be released nasally, because nasals require nasal airflow.