Weak and Strong Forms : Redux
To achieve the correct rhythm and flow when speaking, it is vital to know and use weak forms. It is important to note the weak forms are never used at the end of sentences. They may be used at the beginning as well as in the middle of sentences, or in fact, anywhere in a sentence but the end.
Examples :
At the beginning of sentences :
Were you there? Are you ready?
(wi you there/ wəju:ðeə ) (i you ready/ ə ju: redI )
In the middle of sentences :
I was there. You were there.
(I wiz there/ aI wəz ðeə ) (You wi there/ ju: wə ðeə )
Here is an example of a word with a weak and a strong form in different parts of a sentence (note the word ‘of’):
I am thinking of (iv/ əv ) leaving—that is what I’m thinking of (ov/ ɒv ).
[Weak form] [Strong form]
Below is a list of the weak and strong forms of the MSBE accent (other English dialects and accents may have different or additional interpretations). Two transcriptions are offered: one phonetic and one alternative respelling for readers unfamiliar with phonetic symbols.
Please note the ‘i’ occasionally seen in both transcriptions below is pronounced like the /i/ sound in words such as ‘tip,’ ‘devour,’ and ‘information’ (short /i/ sound).
| Word | Phonetic | Pronounced | Example |
| a | ə | i | Give me a break |
| am | əm | im | Am I supposed to do it |
| an | ən | in | They made me an offer |
| and | ən(d) | in(d) | Me and you |
| are | ə | i | The people are there |
| as | əz | iz | This is not as good as that |
| at | ət | it | Meet me at the club |
| be | bə | bi | It’s important to be punctual |
| been | bən | bin | I’ve been there |
| but | bət | bit | But why should I |
| can | kən | kin | We can do it |
| could | kəd | kid | I could do it later |
| do | də | di | Do you like it |
| for | fə | fi | It’s for me |
| from | frəm | frim | From me to you |
| had | (h)əd | (h)id | The film had already begun |
| has | (h)əz | (h)iz | Has she ever been there |
| have | (h)əv | (h)iv | Have you ever been there |
| he | (h)i | (h)i | He doesn’t like it |
| her | (h)ə | (h)i | Her father is waiting |
| him | (h)im | (h)im | This is for him and her |
| his | (h)əz | (h)iz | The gate to his house was locked |
| if | əf | if | Keep it if you like it |
| I | ə | i | I think so |
| in | ən | in | I’m not in the mood |
| must | məs(t) | mis(t) | We must do it right away |
| not | n(ə)t | n(i)t | It’s vital not to miss the appointment |
| of* | əv | iv | The owner of the restaurant |
| or | ə(r) | i(r) | It’s either you or me |
| our | a:(r) | ah(r) | Our meeting is cancelled |
| Saint (St) | sənt | sint | St George’s Day |
| shall | ʃəl | shil | Shall I come over |
| she | ʃi | shi | She loves*it |
| should | ʃəd | shid | Should I phone you |
| Sir | sə | si | Sir John’s mansion |
| some | səm | sim | Would you like some coffee |
| than | ðən | thin | That’s better than that |
| that | ðət | thit | I was told that I should wait |
| the | ðə | thi | What’s the problem |
| them | ðəm | thim | Have you told them where to go |
| there | ðə | thi | There’s somebody waiting for you |
| to | tə | ti | From me to you |
| us | əs | is | Can you give us more time |
| was | wəz | wiz | I was there |
| we | wi | wi | We were there |
| were | wə | wi | Were you there |
| who | hə | hi | That’s them an who won the race |
| with | wəth | with | You can come with me |
| would | wəd | wid | Walking would take too long |
| will | wəl | wil | Nobody will see it |
| you | jə | yi | You have to be here by nine |
| your** | jə(r) | yi | This is your letter |
*Note the difference between ‘of’ and ‘off’:
Adjective ‘off’ is not to be confused with preposition ‘of’;
‘off’ is always given full value and does not have a weak form, ‘of’ has a weak and a
strong form (as listed above).
**Note the difference in pronunciation in ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ (you are):
Your car versus Your’e a nice guy
(yohr/jə(r)) (yueri/jʊərə)