Understanding Weak Forms in English

Study Notes

Weak forms are words that can be pronounced in two ways: strongly or weakly.
For example, "that" can be said as /ðæt/ (strong) or /ðət/ (weak).
This is common in quick speech and helps with understanding and speaking smoothly.

Weak forms are about how words change when spoken in a sentence (e.g., "of" becomes /əv/).
Contractions are shortened words written differently (e.g., "it is" becomes "it's").
Weak forms focus on pronunciation, not spelling.

Function words become shorter, which makes speech flow better.
Weak forms blend into the sounds around them.
For example, "Do you want to go?" can sound like /də jə wənə gəʊ/, and "I'll give you some of them" can sound like /aıl giv jə sım əv ðəm/.
Weak forms are words that are not stressed in a sentence.
This affects rhythm and how easily English is spoken.
This pronunciation is common in auxiliary verbs, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, and articles.

Function words often have weak forms.
Auxiliary verbs like "can" or "have"
Prepositions like "to" or "for"
Conjunctions like "and" or "but"
Pronouns like "him" or "her"
At the end of a sentence, "I'm fond of chips" becomes /aim fond ǝv 'tfips/ (weak).
However, "Chips are what I'm fond of" becomes /'tfips ǝ wot aim fond pv/ (strong).
When the word is contrasted, "The letter's from him, not to him" becomes /ðə 'letəz frəm ım, not tu: im/.
For emphasis, "You must give me more money" becomes /ju mast giv mi mɔ: 'mani/.
When quoting a word, "You shouldn't put 'and' at the end of a sentence'" becomes /ju fudnt put ænd æt ði 'end əv ə 'sentəns/.

Words starting with "h" (like "her," "have") usually have the /h/ sound at the start of a sentence.
In connected speech, the /h/ sound is often dropped.