Weak forms in connected English speech

The idea

Unstressed function words such as to, a, the, for, can and and often have a weak form. Their vowel may become schwa, /ə/: relax the jaw and tongue in the centre of the mouth. For example, to before a consonant often sounds /tə/; the before a consonant often sounds /ðə/. Compare can in They can swim with stressed can in Yes, I can: the latter has its full vowel. Accent, context and emphasis affect the form. The full forms can and ban are a minimal pair: their first consonants differ.

Examples

• Maya walked to the station.
• A cat slept on the chair.
• The soup is for your neighbour.
• We can meet after lunch.
• I bought bread and cheese.
• Her brother was at work.

Watch out

Do not reduce every occurrence: a word stressed for contrast or at the end of an answer can retain its full vowel. Weak forms are still written with the usual spelling.

Try it yourself

1. In “Please pass the salt”, which word is commonly reduced: the or salt?

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   the

   the: the article before a consonant is normally unstressed here.

2. In “They can swim”, which word is commonly reduced when unstressed: can or swim?

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   can

   can: this auxiliary is unstressed before the main verb in a neutral statement.

3. In “This gift is for Lee”, which word is commonly reduced: for or gift?

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   for

   for: this preposition is normally unstressed before the name.

Use it today

Read the examples aloud, stressing the main meaning words and relaxing the vowel in each unstressed function word.