The document discusses weak and strong forms in English pronunciation. It explains that some words have two pronunciations - a weak form that is used when the word is unstressed, and a strong form that is used when the word is stressed, such as at the end of a sentence. It provides examples of common words that have weak and strong forms, such as prepositions, auxiliary verbs, and articles. It also notes that some words, like nouns and main verbs, only have strong forms. The document concludes by listing situations when weak forms become strong forms, such as at the end of a sentence, in negatives, or for emphasis.

1. Weak & Strong Forms

2. we saw stressed and unstressed
syllables in individual words

3. something similar happens in
complete sentences

5. I’m from London.

6. I’m from London.

7. I’m from London.

8. I’m from London.

9. Where are you from?
I’m from London.
ɒ
ə

10. Are they from Italy?

11. Yes, they are.
Are they from Italy?

12. Yes, they are.
Are they from Italy?

13. Yes, they are.
Are they from Italy?

14. Yes, they are.
Are they from Italy?

15. Yes, they are.
Are they from Italy?
ɑː
ə

16. some words have two pronunciations

17. a weak form
from / frəm /
are / ə /

18. and a strong form
from / frɒm /
are / ɑː /

19. the weak form is the usual
pronunciation

20. the weak form is the usual
pronunciation
it’s used when the word is unstressed

21. the strong form is used only when the
word is stressed

22. the strong form is used only when the
word is stressed
eg. when it’s the last word

23. the vowel is simplified
(in most cases)
to ə or ɪ

24. which words have weak and strong
forms?

25. prepositions

26. prepositions

27. prepositions
auxiliary verbs

29. prepositions
auxiliary verbs
modal verbs
pronouns
possessive adjectives

31. prepositions
auxiliary verbs
modal verbs
pronouns
possessive adjectives
possessive pronouns
conjunctions

32. prepositions
auxiliary verbs
modal verbs
pronouns
possessive adjectives
possessive pronouns
conjunctions

33. prepositions
auxiliary verbs
modal verbs
pronouns
possessive adjectives
possessive pronouns
conjunctions
articles

34. prepositions
auxiliary verbs
modal verbs
pronouns
possessive adjectives
possessive pronouns
conjunctions
articles

35. which words only have strong forms?

37. nouns

38. nouns
main verbs
adjectives

39. nouns
main verbs
adjectives

40. nouns
main verbs
adjectives
adverbs

41. nouns
main verbs
adjectives
adverbs

42. prepositions weak form strong form
from frəm frɒm
to tə tuː
at ət æt
in ɪn ɪn
on ɒn ɒn

43. aux. verbs weak form strong form
am əm æm
are ə ɑː
have həv hæv
had həd hæd
does dəz dʌz

44. modal verbs weak form strong form
can kən kæn
will wɪl wɪl
would wəd wʊd
shall ʃəl ʃæl
must məst mʌst

45. articles weak form strong form
a ə eɪ
an ən æn
the ðə ðiː

46. when do weak forms become strong?

47. 1.
the end of the sentence

48. Where are you from?

49. Yes, I am.

50. No, I’m not.

51. 2.
negatives

52. I can speak German.

53. I can speak German.
ə

54. I can’t speak German.

55. I can’t speak German.
ɑː

56. You aren’t listening.

57. I’m not listening.

58. the stress is always on ‘not’
even when it’s abbreviated

59. 3.
auxiliary or modal substitutes or
includes the main verb

60. I can’t speak German
but my friend can.

61. Do you like English coffee?
No, I don’t.

62. 4.
double stress for emphasis

63. I do like your hat!

64. I didn’t crash my car!

65. I didn’t crash my car.
I crashed hers!

66. Video : Today Is the Best Day of my Life

67. HOMEWORK
make a list of the weak forms that you
used in your latest writing homework