Pronunciation Reduction Can He can hit the ball. Can is a helping(auxiliary) verb which also makes it a function word. As with most function words it is reduced in the sentence. The reduction is either to a k with a schwa sound, or just a kn sound. Either way, the sound is reduced and … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction Because
Pronunciation Reduction Because We like the dog because it is fast. Because is a conjunction which also makes it a function word. In informal English it is also used as a preposition, which is also a function word. As with most function words it is reduced in the sentence. Because has a … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction At
Pronunciation Reduction At I am at work. At is a preposition which also makes it a function word. As with most function words it is reduced in the sentence. The sound reduction for at is a schwa sound with either a stop t or flap t. The sound made depends on if there is a consonant, vowel … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction Are
Pronunciation Reduction Are Why are you laughing? The reduction of the word are is almost the same as the reduction of or. The sound reduction for are is a soft, short schwa and r sound combination. Say er three times. Keep in mind that the schwa sound is not just one particular sound. … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction And
Pronunciation Reduction And My brother and I are playing. And is another conjunction which also makes it a function word. As with most function words it is reduced in the sentence. The sound reduction for and is typically just a longer n sound. Say nn three times. Other times it will make … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction Or
Pronunciation Reduction Or Do you like blue or red? Or is a conjunction which also makes it a function word. As with most function words it is reduced in the sentence. The sound reduction for or is a soft, short schwa and r sound combination. Say er three times. There are other times where … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction For
Pronunciation Reduction For Smile for me. For has an exceptionally easy reduction. It reduces to fer. The reason for the reduction is due to it being a function word instead of a content word. Here are a few examples of the reduction of the preposition for: Smile fer me. She needed … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction To
Pronunciation Reduction To She had to go. To is one of the easiest reductions to learn when learning English. Remember, to is reduced as part of the combinations of gonna, wanna and gotta. There are other lessons covering those reduced word combinations. This lesson is focused on other … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction That
Pronunciation Reduction That This is the car that her father bought. One of the reductions that English learners have difficulty with is the reduction of that. They have issues hearing and understanding native English speakers, while they also have problems pronouncing the reduction of … [Read more...]
Pronunciation Reduction Them
Pronunciation Reduction Them I want them. Them is commonly reduced to only em, producing the schwa sound. This is unlike them when it is produced on its own, producing a voiced th sound along with a short e and the consonant mm. Them, them, them. The short e sound also makes a schwa … [Read more...]