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Weak forms

By Will SalisburyUpdated

Weak forms are the short, quiet pronunciations of small grammar words such as to /tə/, of /əv/, and /ən/, can /kən/ and was /wəz/. Speakers use them in normal sentences and use the strong form only for emphasis or at the end of a phrase. They give English its stress-timed rhythm.

1 · Read the problems2 · One lesson a day3 · Review your mistakes4 · Go round again

1 · Pronunciation

Hear it, see it, say it

IELTS tip. In IELTS Speaking, strong and weak forms help you sound fluent and natural without speaking fast. Keep the key words clear and say the small words lightly. In IELTS Listening, expect speakers to use weak forms, so 'a cup of tea' may sound like 'a cuppa tea'.

How to make it

  1. Relax your jaw and tongue for the schwa /ə/. Do not round your lips.
  2. Say the strong word loud and clear, then say the weak word quickly and quietly: 'CUP of TEA'.
  3. Link the weak word to the word before it: cup-əv-tea.
  4. Keep a steady beat on the strong words as you speed up.

Say it after me

to: strong /tuː/
to: weak /tə/ (I want to go.)
of: strong /ɒv/
of: weak /əv/ (a cup of tea)
and: strong /ænd/
and: weak /ən/ (fish and chips)
can: strong /kæn/
can: weak /kən/ (I can swim.)

a cup of tea, fish and chips, I want to go, I can swim, He was late, a present for you, Where are you from?

Quick answers

What is a weak form?

A short, quiet pronunciation of a small word, usually with the schwa /ə/, like /tə/ for to.

Which words have weak forms?

Mostly grammar words: articles, prepositions, auxiliary verbs, pronouns and conjunctions, such as a, the, to, of, and, can, was and have.

Is it rude or lazy to use weak forms?

No. They are the normal pronunciation in connected speech. Using only strong forms sounds slow and unnatural.

What is stress-timing?

The idea that English strong syllables come at fairly regular beats, with weak syllables squeezed in between them.

Read the full lesson: Weak forms