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 few different pronunciations, depending on where it is located in the sentence. To start off with the first syllable usually remains the same by making a b sound that is combined with i. The sound that is makes is bi. Say bi three times. The next syllable is stressed and sounds like kuhz, kawz or kuz. The difference is in the middle, which are three just slightly different in the way they sound. Say kuhz three times. Say kawz three times. Say kuz three times. When the two syllables are combined it sounds like bikuhz, bikawz and bikuz.

The choice of using bikuhz, bikawz bikuz is dependant on the speaker more than anything else. Another thing is that since the first syllable is so weak, there are times when it is dropped completely. When this happens the sound made is kuz. Here are a few examples of the reduction for the function word because:

• I did it bikuhz I wanted to. I did it cuz I wanted to.
• She needs it bikuhz it is shiny. She needs it cuz it is shiny.
• They like the dog bikawz it is pretty. They like the dog cuz it is pretty.
• He left bikawz he was late. He left cuz he was late. He left cuz e was late.

With the last example there is a further reduction with the h in he. As with most of the lessons, the examples is focused on the word, or words for the lesson. It is important to keep in mind that there are other types of reductions and connected speech in the examples.